Going to Ningbo!!

[jony]

Well, I'm finally able to set away a couple of days to visit Ningbo.
However, before I go I'd like to ask some of you some questions.

1. I will be driving to Ningbo, so I would like to know if parking is easy to find. Is parking available and easily accessible in places like TianYi Square or Lao Waitan?

2. I will probably have time for only a 2-day stay, so where should I go to see what life really is like in Ningbo, ie. the more popular spots, popular recreational areas etc.

3. I have been dying for some good Japanese food, especially some good sashimi. Anybody know of a good place?

4. I have been reading many comments and doing some research, but still can't decide which hotel is better. Howard or Sheraton?

5. During my stay I will also go to the Beilun district. Can anybody point me to some of the more popular shopping and recreation areas?

Thanks to anybody who can offer any suggestions. I'm looking forward to this trip. I hope the majority of Ningbo's locals are as nice as all the expats and locals I find on this forum.
Thanks!!

[Bettydoll]

Good day! Jony
Firstly, I think it¡¦s not difficult to park either in TianYi Square or Lao Waitan. There¡¦re underground and ground parking lots around both of places.
Secondly, I¡¦d say TianYi Square and Lao Waitan would be the famous spots for recreation.
As for hotel, I think it depends on your preference for its services, facilities and prices.
Basically, I¡¦d say Ningbo city has more shopping and recreation areas than Beilun district. But it¡¦s only my personal opinion.
I¡¦ve not been to many Japanese restaurants. There¡¦s a one called ¡§ Dao Chuan¡¨ Japanese restaurant is near ¡§Portman Hotel¡¨. I¡¦d reckon it¡¦s nice. But again, it¡¦s my point of view.
That¡¦s how I view this city, until then, enjoy your staying.
Cheers,
Betty

[Craig]

1. Parking can sometimes be a pain. Do you speak Chinese? You'll need to talk with the parking attendants at various places.

2. Tian Yi Square, Tian Yi Library/Pavilion, Moon Lake. Ningbo really doesn't have too much for tourists.

3. My opinion is that the Japanese food available in Ningbo is second-rate. The sashimi is not fresh. There was an episode of food poisoning last year due to improperly stored raw fish (i.e. it gets left out in the sun, or transported in an unrefrigerated truck).

4. Howard Johnsons. Newer, nicer rooms. Better staff.

5. Next to the Lebanner Hotel www.lebannerhotel.com there is a strip of pubs with great food. You should be able to ask around there, and the staff or customers will give you some information. I'm in the process of gathering information for a new section about Beilun.

[terrywchina]

Laowitan, now has parking meters, welcome to suburbia.

[vvrganesh]

almost everywhere in downtown have parking meters now and you need the parking card to use those parking space. You cannot pay cash.

[Bettydoll]

admin said:

My opinion is that the Japanese food available in Ningbo is second-rate. The sashimi is not fresh. There was an episode of food poisoning last year due to improperly stored raw fish (i.e. it gets left out in the sun, or transported in an unrefrigerated truck)

Craig has the point. ;D
I'd say for the sake of your health, it's better not to have raw food during this critical time all around.
The weather here isn't stable so that it may affect the storage of fresh food.
Cheers,

[pregnantbob]

The Japanese restaurant called Sakura inside 'Xing Zhou' hotel (right opposite the Cherry Blossom park) is quite good. I've had sashimi there plenty a time and never been ill...

then i got my ass to Shanghai went to 8 on the Bund, some classy restaurant... i got sick immiediately from their salmon. bah.

So i do recommend Sakura, great place.

Parking isn't that much of a problem with the metres, just buy a card from one of the attendants. Scan the card when you park on a metre and scan it again when you leave.

As far as the hotels are concerned... hmm it's a tough one. The Sheraton has better suites than Hojo and frankly the overzealous ethusiasm of the staff at Hojo pisses me off.

You can't really go wrong at either one, just choose which one you like more.

[jony]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

I'm really disappointed to hear that the sashimi isn't what i expected. I thought the seafood there would be fresh since Ningbo is pretty close to the ocean. Oh well, maybe I'll take my chances at Sakura.

Craig, I really hope you do decide to do a section on Beilun. Info on that district seems pretty scarce. I'm considering moving to that area, and any more info you guys could provide would always be helpful and appreciated.

[Craig]

Oh, the seafood is quite fresh. But fish found in most sushi restaurants are not native to the ocean near Ningbo. For Ningbo seafood, the Shipu restaurant or Sunward Fishery restaurant will satisfy any craving that you have for seafood, and more. They have sea creatures that I don't think have names in English.

For Beilun, the best resource right now is the government site "Windows of Beilun" www.bl.gov.cn/en/

[pregnantbob]

Craig makes a great point about the seafood, traditional sashimi like Salmon and Tuna aren't even available in Japan, they're mostly caught off the pacific ocean.

Likewise those fish aren't really native to China either so they're usually farmed or imported, Salmon isn't as big in China as say Rainbow trout which makes up a massive proportion of farmed fish.

Honestly, the sashimi offered in Ningbo is fantastic, it just depends on the restaurant and how they store it.

Also Sakura has English menus coupled with photos for every dish, which will make life a little easier.

Infact, Craig, i should just write a review already

[Craig]

ningboguide.com/restaurantreview.html

That page has been sitting on the website since the first day it opened, almost 2 years ago. You know how many people have sent in reviews? 0. Zero. None. Not one.

[jony]

Ooooh right! I totally forgot to consider where salmon and tuna usually come from, and assumed that sashimi in Ningbo should be good since Ningbo is close to the ocean.

I saw this Japanese restaurant on another Ningbo related site and was wondering if anyone has been there, or if it even still exists. Its called the Akitaya Japanese Restaurant (Qiutian Jia) located in the Sheraton hotel. Any good??

And another thing...Is the weather in Ningbo as bad as the reports say it is right now? I've been checking the weather reports and it seems like rain and/or cloudy skies for this week and the next. I really hope it clears up soon.

[Craig]

I've never been to Akitaya, so I can't tell you how good it is. I can tell you that it's quite expensive, though.

I wouldn't call the weather bad right now...mild days and chilly nights. I wouldn't be surprised if it rained for a few days, though. It is April, after all.

[pregnantbob]

Oh yeah i've also been to the Teppanyaki place in NanYuan, completely forgot it was Japanese since everytime i go it just seems like the person taking me out is blowing shit loads of money on the dinner...

So i presume they'd serve Sashimi too.

Every time i've walked past Akitaya... it seemed like a nice classy Japanese cusinary, but the Sheraton does certainly have 5 star prices...i live there and i rarely eat there.

Oh Craig, i really will start writing Restaurant reviews. I'll probably write more when i'm back in June. But i'll something up and send it your way, tell me what ya thnk.

[jony]

Been scouring the web and have read some good things about the Shipu seafood restaurant. However, I can't seem to find anything about where this restaurant is located.

Craig, can you help me with an address or its approximate location in relation to a well-known area??

Thanks!