Ningbo was also famous for traditional Chinese furniture once, due to the huge impact of Ming Dynasty on the culture pf this town. Exporters and antique collectors still frequently visit this place for lost treasures that lay in the nooks and corners of this ancient port town.
Fishing has been an art for the fishermen living here, and it is a renowned fact that Ningbo Fishermen have perfected the art of fresh water fishing like no one else in the world.
Ningbo has been a center of foreign trade since the 7th century and being a part of the Treaty ports, it has been a very important economic hub. The economy growth in 2007 here was a whopping 15%, better than many other developing cities around the world. The per capita output has been around $8000, which, in essence, is same as that of Shanghai and is almost thrice the average national figure of $2,800. Among export oriented centers, Ningbo is the largest exporter of consumer goods (FMCG), electrical appliance and other industrial tools.
There are more than 6500 foreign enterprises based at Ningbo, attracted primarily by the historical significance of this sea port as a trading center and the keen acumen of the local people towards business rules and details.
The Hangzhou Bay Bridge, which stands as the longest sea water bridge connecting two cities, is ideally called the gateway to Ningbo and connects Shanghai to Ningbo. This is the best way to reach here. One can also use water ways, but just as a pointer, the port if Ningbo is known to be one of the busiest ports, ranked 4th in the overall Cargo tonnage worldwide, and to maneuver across the busy waterways is no easy task.
Ningbo is a hidden gem in the Yangtze River Delta and holds enormous future opportunities and it is up to a shrewd trader to grab them with arms wide open.