Once in Ningbo, we were planning on seeing three attractions: a lake, a pagoda and the oldest library of China. I had meant to buy a Chinese map of Ningbo once there, so I did not bother to write down the names and locations of the three places (very good Chiara, veeery good!). When I had to tell the driver where to take us, I couldn’t remember the name of the lake and couldn’t remember the second Chinese character in the name of the Pagoda. I therefore told him to take us to the library, whose details I did remember (Tianyi Pavillion, in case you wonder if I still remember them). |
As we prepared to travel back to Yuyao from whence we would have taken a train to Ningbo, our driver offered (for a little extra cash) to take us directly to Ningbo. As a matter of fact, the archaeological site is right between the two cities, traveling directly to Ningbo by car would save us almost two hours. The other aspect was monetary: 350rmb instead of 200. I tried to bargain a bit but the guy was determined, he had to take the highway and he needed the money to pay the toll.
To the pics ... https://www.flickr.com/photos/125684829@N08/sets/72157645026331009
To the pics ... https://www.flickr.com/photos/125684829@N08/sets/72157645026331009
He told us there was no problem, that he knew where it was, but once in town, he started pulling alongside other cars to ask for directions. We realised we were screwed not just because Chinese people have the same sense of direction as a dumb, blind and deaf swallow and we were travelling in circles but because these exchanges happened while the cars were moving. Fortunately the same saints we summoned to help us with Charon in Hemudu were there again to protect us. We finally reached the street in which the library was located but we did not see the building and passed it. When the driver tried to go back we discovered that it was a one way street, so I told him to drop us where we were, we would walk back to the entrance, hidden at the far end of a side street.
The library was culturaly interesting, an active collection of books from every historical period, but in the end it was just a big private house with its small pavillions and its miniature lakes and its cute rocks and its manicured gardens.
To the pics ... https://www.flickr.com/photos/125684829@N08/sets/72157645026331009
We had our moment of amusement at the ticket office, though. I asked for a full priced ticket and a senior ticket, even though my friend doesn’t really like to be called a senior. The lady shot me a suspicious glance and asked me, pointing at my friend: “How old is he?” “60”. Did she think that I was the senior!? She sends the tickets into print and a nosey Chinese behind me shouts at her: “She wants a full price ticket and a half price ticket.” Now, then. She is printing those right now, may I know why did you feel the need to say that?
The library was culturaly interesting, an active collection of books from every historical period, but in the end it was just a big private house with its small pavillions and its miniature lakes and its cute rocks and its manicured gardens.
To the pics ... https://www.flickr.com/photos/125684829@N08/sets/72157645026331009
We had our moment of amusement at the ticket office, though. I asked for a full priced ticket and a senior ticket, even though my friend doesn’t really like to be called a senior. The lady shot me a suspicious glance and asked me, pointing at my friend: “How old is he?” “60”. Did she think that I was the senior!? She sends the tickets into print and a nosey Chinese behind me shouts at her: “She wants a full price ticket and a half price ticket.” Now, then. She is printing those right now, may I know why did you feel the need to say that?
Once finished the tour, we walked alongside the lake, an anonymous pool of muddy water right behind the library, and then towards the pagoda which unfortunately was closed. The view from the top could have been interesting but it’s all right, we better focused on the Park of the Culture of Drug Fighting, a sweet junkie park decorated with a plate singing the praises of a no-drugs life. Here, our personal opinion:
Once done with the pagoda and our stupid pictures, Ningbo had no more secrets for us and we could happily move on to the train station where, a couple of hours later, we took the train that brought us back to the shining and modern city of sins, Shanghai.
Recap:
Where? Ningbo 宁波 (Tianyi Pavillion 天一阁, Tianfeng Pagoda 天封塔)
How to get there? There are two to four trains per hour leaving Shanghai for Ningbo.
Costs? The library was 60rmb (discounted ticket at 30rmb), while the lake and the pagoda are free of charge.
Where? Ningbo 宁波 (Tianyi Pavillion 天一阁, Tianfeng Pagoda 天封塔)
How to get there? There are two to four trains per hour leaving Shanghai for Ningbo.
Costs? The library was 60rmb (discounted ticket at 30rmb), while the lake and the pagoda are free of charge.