Tianyige · Moon Lake Scenic Area is located in Haishu District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, and is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area consists of two core parts: Tianyige Museum and Moon Lake, with a total area of about 1 square kilometer. It ranges north to Zhongshan West Road, west to Beidou River, east to Zhenming Road, and south to Sanzhi Street, covering the historically famous Ten Islets of Moon Lake. Its characteristic lies in the integration of profound historical and cultural heritage with the landscape of Jiangnan water town gardens. There are more than 50 cultural relics protection units and sites at all levels, including 3 national key cultural relics protection units. Most of the buildings in the scenic area are in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with an antique flavor, which complements the natural water scenery of Moon Lake. It is an important window to display Ningbo's historical culture, book-collecting culture and East Zhejiang academics.
Historical Culture
The development of Moon Lake can be traced back to the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty (627-649). In the 7th year of Taihe in the Tang Dynasty (833), Wang Yuanwei, the magistrate of Mao County, built the Tashan Weir to divert water to Mingzhou City, forming the Sun and Moon Lakes, which solved the local problems of drought, flood and drinking water. In the 7th year of Qingli in the Northern Song Dynasty (1047), when Wang Anshi was the magistrate of Yin County, he invited the "Five Scholars of Qingli" to promote education and attach importance to learning in Moon Lake, laying the foundation for the germination of East Zhejiang academics. During the Yuanyou period (1086-1094), prefects Liu Shu and Liu Cheng successively repaired Moon Lake, forming the scenic spot of "Ten Islets"; in the 7th year of Zhenghe (1117), prefect Lou Yi built the Goryeo Embassy here, making Moon Lake an important node of the "Maritime Silk Road".
During the Southern Song Dynasty, under the management of the Shi family, the cultural atmosphere of Moon Lake became increasingly strong. Poetry clubs, academies and book-collecting buildings emerged one after another. The "Four Scholars of Chunxi" gave lectures here, forming the "Siming School", and East Zhejiang academics entered a peak stage. From the 40th to the 45th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1561-1566), Fan Qin, the right vice minister of the Ministry of War, built Tianyige as a private book-collecting building. With a history of more than 450 years, it is the oldest existing private book-collecting building in China. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Moon Lake became an important birthplace of the East Zhejiang School. Scholars such as Huang Zongxi gave lectures here. Their idea of "both industry and commerce are fundamental" promoted the rise of the Ningbo Gang, and the concept of "practical application" made Ningbo win the reputation of "Hometown of Academicians".
Main Attractions
Tianyige Museum
Tianyige Museum is the oldest existing private book-collecting building in China and one of the three earliest private book-collecting buildings in the world. It was built from the 40th to the 45th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1561-1566) as the book-collecting place of Fan Qin, the right vice minister of the Ministry of War in the Ming Dynasty. It now houses nearly 300,000 volumes of various ancient books, among which the local chronicles and imperial examination records of the Ming Dynasty are the most precious. The scenic area includes attractions such as Dongming Thatched Cottage, Fan's Former Residence, North Book Repository, and Linquan Elegant Hall. Dongming Thatched Cottage was the place where Fan Qin collected books before Tianyige was built; Fan's Former Residence was originally the east hall of Fan's Mansion, and the existing building was rebuilt in the 9th year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty (1829); the North Book Repository integrates the functions of book collection and exhibition, and all ancient books of Tianyige are stored here; Linquan Elegant Hall is the cultural and creative hall of the scenic area, and also sells various historical books.
Qin's Branch Ancestral Hall
Qin's Branch Ancestral Hall was built from 1923 to 1925 by the Qin family for ancestor worship, costing more than 200,000 silver dollars. The ancestral hall covers an area of 2.6 mu, with a construction area of more than 2,000 square meters. It integrates various folk crafts such as wood carving, brick carving, stone carving, gold pasting, and forging, and can be called a masterpiece of Ningbo's residential architectural art. Its architectural style is exquisite and gorgeous, with vivid carvings in the details, showing the superb architectural skills and folk craftsmanship of the time.
East Garden
East Garden is located on the southeast side of Tianyige, covering an area of about 6,000 square meters. Since 1959, the scenic area has leveled the land, planted bamboo and wood, and moved stone pavilions, iron oxen, stone tigers, etc. here, initially forming a garden prototype. In 1974, 69 steles collected were embedded in the wall; in 1982, expansion was carried out, including digging soil to form a pool, piling stones to form a mountain, building corridors around the garden, and moving two late Qing Dynasty buildings. It was completed and opened to the public in 1986. East Garden was designed and presided over by the famous garden master Chen Congzhou, and is one of his representative works in garden design. The garden layout is exquisite, reflecting the elegant charm of Jiangnan gardens.
Ten Islets of Moon Lake
The Ten Islets of Moon Lake include multiple islets such as Furong Islet and Chrysanthemum Islet, each with its unique history and landscape. Furong Islet is located at the northern end of the west bank of Moon Lake. During the Song Dynasty, there were buildings such as Changping Granary, Pingdi Granary, and Shi Xiangfu Mansion. Now, there are a large number of Ming and Qing buildings such as Tianyige, Shuibei Pavilion, and Baojing Hall. Chrysanthemum Islet is located at the northern end of the east bank of Moon Lake. It was the Goryeo Embassy in the Northern Song Dynasty and the site of Yue Wang Mansion of Prime Minister Shi Hao in the Southern Song Dynasty. Now, there are buildings such as Fan's Mansion, Yintai Di, and Shuize Stele. These islets set off against the water scenery of Moon Lake, forming the scenic spot of "Ten Islets", which is the core area of Moon Lake's historical culture and natural landscape.
Food
Seaweed Rice Cake
Seaweed rice cake is a characteristic food of Ningbo, which can be tasted in the old shops on Zhenming Road around Tianyige · Moon Lake Scenic Area. It uses rice cakes and seaweed as the main raw materials. After frying, the rice cakes are soft, glutinous and sweet, with the salty and fresh flavor of seaweed, and have a rich taste. When making, the rice cakes sizzle in the iron pot, and the aroma of seaweed and the rice aroma of the rice cakes are fully integrated. It is a very representative traditional snack in the local area.
Youzanzi (Fried Dough Twists)
Youzanzi is what is called "mahua" (fried dough twists) in Ningbo dialect. "Aunt Wang's Youzanzi" near the scenic area is quite popular. This kind of youzanzi is freshly fried and sold on the spot, with a crispy exterior and glutinous interior. When dipped in icing sugar, it is sweet but not cloying. Its production process is meticulous: the dough is repeatedly kneaded, and after frying, it has a uniform shape and a chewy texture. It is a common snack choice for tourists during their visit.
Bean Paste Candy
Bean paste candy is a traditional pastry in Ningbo, sold near the Drum Tower around the scenic area. It uses soybeans as the main raw material, and is made through processes such as grinding into powder and boiling sugar. It has a delicate and smooth taste, with a sweet taste mixed with bean aroma. Bean paste candy is loose in texture and melts in the mouth. It is a favorite tea pastry of local people and a good gift for relatives and friends, with a long production history.
Crab Roe Soup Dumplings
Crab roe soup dumplings are quite common in Nantang Old Street near the scenic area and are a distinctive delicacy. They are filled with crab roe and pork, featuring thin wrappers, ample fillings, and delicious soup. When eating, one should follow the steps of "first make a small opening, then drink the soup, and finally finish the dumpling". They are usually eaten with wontons, pan-fried buns, etc., which can balance the greasiness of the soup dumplings. Each dumpling is of moderate size; when you take a bite, the soup overflows, and it is full of freshness.
Steamed Pomfret with Rice Cake
Steamed pomfret with rice cake is a classic dish in Ningbo, which can be tasted in restaurants such as Ninghai Restaurant around the scenic area. This dish uses fresh pomfret and rice cakes. The pomfret has few thorns and tender meat, which is fully flavored after steaming. The rice cakes absorb the freshness of the fish, with a soft, glutinous and chewy taste. The freshness of the pomfret and the sweetness of the rice cakes blend with each other. It is a common food on local dining tables and is loved by tourists and locals.
Tickets
The ticket for Tianyige Museum is 30 yuan per person, and Moon Lake Scenic Area is open to tourists for free.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "天一阁" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of Tianyige Museum vary by season. From May 1 to October 31, it is 8:00-17:30 (ticket sales stop at 17:00); from November 1 to April 30 of the next year, it is 8:30-17:00 (ticket sales stop at 16:30). In addition, it is closed on Monday mornings (except for legal holidays, and opens at 1:30 p.m.). Moon Lake Scenic Area is open all day, and tourists can arrange their visits according to their own time.
Tour Route
A recommended one-day tour route: in the morning, first visit Tianyige Museum (about 2 hours) to have an in-depth understanding of book-collecting culture and history; then go to the scenic area's tourist service center to get tour materials; then go to the 24-hour city study to experience the reading atmosphere, and then go to the smart service pavilion (Fan's Mansion point) to learn about the scenic area's service information; have lunch at nearby restaurants to taste Ningbo's characteristic food (about 1 hour for dining); in the afternoon, go to Yongs hang Fenglinwan and Moon Lake Library to feel the cultural atmosphere, and finally visit the Ten Islets of Moon Lake (about 3 hours) to enjoy the natural landscape and historical buildings. The total journey is about 5 kilometers, allowing you to fully experience the historical culture and natural features of the scenic area.
Transportation
- Bus: You can take Ningbo Bus No. 2, 9, 10, 371, 504 and other routes to Tianyige · Moon Lake Scenic Area Station. After getting off, walk about 300-500 meters to reach the scenic area entrance. The bus interval is about 10-15 minutes, and the fare is 2 yuan.
- Subway: Take Ningbo Metro Line 2 to Chenghuangmiao Station or Gulou Station. It is about 800 meters' walk from Chenghuangmiao Station and about 1 kilometer's walk from Gulou Station to the scenic area. The subway operates from 6:00 to 22:00, and the fare is 2-4 yuan.
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Ningbo, you can go to the scenic area via main roads such as Zhongshan West Road and Zhenming Road. There are parking lots around the scenic area, such as Tianyige Parking Lot, which covers an area of about 1,000 square meters and can accommodate about 200 motor vehicles. The parking fee is 5 yuan per hour.
Must-visit Attractions
- Tianyige Museum: The oldest existing private book-collecting building in China, built from 1561 to 1566. It now houses nearly 300,000 volumes of ancient books, with the local chronicles and imperial examination records of the Ming Dynasty being the most precious. Here, you can have an in-depth understanding of the development process of China's book-collecting culture.
- Ten Islets of Moon Lake: Composed of multiple islets, with a total area of about 0.4 square kilometers. It has characteristic islets such as Furong Islet and Chrysanthemum Islet, retaining a large number of Ming and Qing buildings and historical relics. It is the core area to experience the natural landscape of Moon Lake and the culture of the "Maritime Silk Road".
- Qin's Branch Ancestral Hall: Built from 1923 to 1925, covering an area of 2.6 mu, with a construction area of more than 2,000 square meters. It integrates various folk crafts such as wood carving, brick carving, and stone carving. The building is exquisite and is a peak work of Ningbo's residential architectural art.
Tour Suggestions
- It is recommended to spend 1 day for the tour. Focus on visiting Tianyige Museum in the morning and tour Moon Lake Scenic Area in the afternoon, so that you can fully experience the historical culture and natural landscape of the scenic area.
- The scenic area provides guided tour services. You can check the guided tour time in advance on the official website or public account. Following the guide can help you have a deeper understanding of the historical background and cultural connotation of each attraction.
- Tourists who like reading can bring their ID cards to enter the 24-hour city study to experience intelligent reading services and feel the cultural atmosphere of the scenic area.
- Spring and autumn have suitable climates and are the best periods for visiting, allowing you to avoid the high temperature in summer and the severe cold in winter and enjoy the scenic beauty more comfortably.
Matters Needing Attention
- It is necessary to keep quiet in Tianyige Museum, and loud noises are prohibited to avoid affecting other tourists' visits and the preservation environment of ancient books.
- Do not touch cultural relics, ancient books and building components during the visit to avoid damage, and abide by the cultural relic protection regulations of the scenic area.
- Fishing, swimming and littering are prohibited in some areas of Moon Lake Scenic Area. Tourists must abide by relevant regulations to protect the ecological environment of the scenic area.
- Some roads in the scenic area are stone slab roads, which are slippery on rainy days. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and pay attention to safety during the tour.
- When visiting in summer, it is necessary to take sun protection measures, such as bringing a sunshade and sunscreen. There are many tree shades around Moon Lake, but it is still necessary to pay attention to heatstroke prevention at noon.