Laowaitan/The Old Bund Ningbo / 老外滩
Laowaitan, meaning "Old Bund," is regarded as one of China's earliest treaty-port waterfront districts, opening to foreign trade in 1844, nearly half a century before Shanghai's Bund. The area preserves numerous European-style buildings from the late Qing Dynasty alongside restored Chinese architecture. Today, it has become one of Ningbo's most popular waterfront leisure destinations, featuring cafes, restaurants, bars, galleries, boutique hotels, and scenic riverside promenades.
Category
Historical, Shopping
Why Visit
- Discover one of China's earliest international waterfront districts
- Admire well-preserved European colonial architecture
- Enjoy picturesque river views along the Yong River
- Excellent dining and café destination
- One of the best nightlife areas in Ningbo
- Beautiful location for sunset and night photography.
Suggested Duration
2–3 hours
Best Visiting Time
18:30–21:00
Suitable For
- Food enthusiasts
- Nightlife seekers
- Solo travelers
- Couples
Tips
- Arrive about one hour before sunset
- Walk the entire riverside promenade for the best views
- Enjoy dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants
- Weekday evenings are quieter than weekends
- Visit after Tianyi Square for a full-day city itinerary.
Admission Type
Free
Reservation Required
No
Reservation Max.
No need to make an appointment.
Opening Hours
24 hours
Address (English & Chinese)
Nos. 157–159, Zhongma Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province
浙江省宁波市江北区中马路157号-159号
（4A景区）
Note
You can take "Three Rivers Night Cruise" sightseeing boat that usually open from 19:00 until 21:00 (ticket price start from 98 元).