By Gary Bowerman (That's Shanghai)
Updated: 2007-12-11 10:16

Nestled on the southern shore of Hangzhou Bay in Zhejiang province, Ningbo (meaning 'Calm Wave') has long been known for its world-class deep water port, electronics manufacturing plants and commercial trade shows. But once the world's longest sea bridge, spanning 36 kilometers, opens late next year, Ningbo will be just two-and-a-half hours drive from Shanghai-and its underrated tourism attractions will be more accessible than ever.

7:30am: Kick-start the day with repeated visits to the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel's excellent buffet breakfast spread. Then grab a city map from the concierge to plot your sightseeing route.

8am: Catch a cab to Zhongshan Park and watch the city's early risers as they welcome a new day with calisthenics (and copious yawns). Stroll the neat pathways meandering among the rockeries, pagodas, ponds and mini-temples. Here, surrounded by trees and overlooked by the new office towers of Ningbo, early-morning tai chi is de rigueur.

9am: Head along Gongyuan Lu, a bustling pedestrian street where low-slung whitewashed houses with gray slate roofs have been converted into shops and open-fronted cafes. The central market stalls sell everything from rucksacks to porcelain vases. Continue towards Zhongshan Lu and you'll pass through a giant archway, atop which sits the grand yellow Drum Tower, now sporting an additional clocktower.

10am: Walk west along Zhongshan Xi Lu and then left onto Changchun Lu. Two blocks down on the left is Tianyi Jie, home to Ningbo's historic pride and joy: Tianyi Ge. This spacious pavilion, set in beautifully manicured gardens filled with rounded arches, lanterns and mini-courtyards, houses one of China's oldest private libraries. The Ning Hui Hall has a fine collection of stone tablets and calligraphy works.

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