Post by MK on Jun 8, 2005 19:56:49 GMT 7
Ningbo - it means peaceful waves if I remember correctly. It's a port city, except the actual port is now located in the satellite town of Beilun about 30 minutes North East.
It's not a huge city by Chinese standards. I would guess 1 to 2 million in the city proper. Could be wrong.
It's a very rich and modern city, the pace of change, especially in construction, is incredible. However, it is also a bit of a cultural wasteland - not much to do at all except hang about in one (or more!) of the city's increasing number of bars (but you know what they say, only boring people get bored...).
However, Ningbo does have a lot of foreign residents, both business types and English teachers, with numbers increasing all the time.
It's easy travelling distance to Hangzhou and Shanghai. The airport has daily flights to most if not all of China's major cities. Also, one of Chinas best known (to Chinese at least) tourist attractions - Putuo Shan Island can be reached from Ningbo. There is a temple there or something.
Chiang Kai-Shek was born near Ningbo. You can visit his old house.
Seafood is big in Ningbo.
The weather is surprisingly cold in winter, and the buildings generally aren't equipped to shelter you from it. It's sweltering in summer. And it rains all year round.
You could do worse,I mean, I've spent a couple of years here. Most modern ammenities available, but it's still quite 'Chinese'. Lots of private education companies are setting up shop in Ningbo too, so salaries tend to be slightly better than average. If you are looking for the bright lights and the big city though, or the ex-pat scene of Shanghai or Beijing, it's probably not for you.
** I 'll stick this handy website here and you won't have to just take my word for it **
Ningboguide.com
** And this one **
HelloNingbo.com
It's not a huge city by Chinese standards. I would guess 1 to 2 million in the city proper. Could be wrong.
It's a very rich and modern city, the pace of change, especially in construction, is incredible. However, it is also a bit of a cultural wasteland - not much to do at all except hang about in one (or more!) of the city's increasing number of bars (but you know what they say, only boring people get bored...).
However, Ningbo does have a lot of foreign residents, both business types and English teachers, with numbers increasing all the time.
It's easy travelling distance to Hangzhou and Shanghai. The airport has daily flights to most if not all of China's major cities. Also, one of Chinas best known (to Chinese at least) tourist attractions - Putuo Shan Island can be reached from Ningbo. There is a temple there or something.
Chiang Kai-Shek was born near Ningbo. You can visit his old house.
Seafood is big in Ningbo.
The weather is surprisingly cold in winter, and the buildings generally aren't equipped to shelter you from it. It's sweltering in summer. And it rains all year round.
You could do worse,I mean, I've spent a couple of years here. Most modern ammenities available, but it's still quite 'Chinese'. Lots of private education companies are setting up shop in Ningbo too, so salaries tend to be slightly better than average. If you are looking for the bright lights and the big city though, or the ex-pat scene of Shanghai or Beijing, it's probably not for you.
** I 'll stick this handy website here and you won't have to just take my word for it **
Ningboguide.com
** And this one **
HelloNingbo.com