Ningbo gears up for festive travel season

Shipu Ancient Town in Xiangshan county, Ningbo. [Photo/Yongpai app]

Ningbo is gearing up for an extended Chinese New Year travel season with a wide variety of cultural events and experiences designed to attract both domestic and international visitors.

From Feb 11 to March 8, Cicheng Ancient Town will light up each evening with hundreds of lantern displays, while offering daily performances that blend modern lighting technology with traditional craft. The installations evoke the ambience of Jiangnan during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), offering an immersive journey through light and shadow. Visitors will have the chance to enjoy both daytime markets and evening lantern displays with a single ticket. Highlights along the Congma River include large-scale water aerial shows.

Beyond the lantern displays, a wide range of activities will be available. Xiangshan Film and Television City will host a traditional temple fair with stunt demonstrations, classic folk performances, and interactive experiences, including the opportunity to ride in stunt vehicles and experience drifting and spinning first-hand. 

Meanwhile, Shihpu Fishing Port will transform into a coastal Chinese New Year celebration from Feb 17 to 23, featuring storytelling shadow shows, costumed street actors, glowing lanterns, and complimentary traditional teas and snacks.

Additional attractions include Ningbo Botanical Garden and Daren Village, which will hold folk art performances like face-changing and stilt walking. The ongoing Ningbo Luocheng Lantern Exhibition connects multiple city landmarks with more than 60 themed lantern installations, creating a festive light experience across the city.

To complement these events, the city has launched travel packages and discounts across 87 cultural and tourism venues, including half-price tickets, hotel deals, and bundled experiences.