Yuehu Lake is a crescent-shaped lake in the center of Ningbo. It was once a city mountain and water where literati sat and discussed in the Song and Ming dynasties. Now it is an important green lung of Ningbo. Although it is not as famous as West Lake in Hangzhou, its status in Ningbo is like that of West Lake in Hangzhou.
The lakeside is dotted with courtyards and old houses, making it very leisurely for weekend walks. There are islands such as Fangcao Zhou, Liuting, Song Island, and Juhua Zhou in Yuehu Lake. Some are connected by bridges, and some are completely connected to the land.
The winding embankment by the lake, old people playing chess under the weeping willows, and ancient buildings hidden by the woods form a sharp contrast with the bustling streets around. Liuting Street passes through the lake and just divides Yuehu Lake into two areas, north and south. There are many ruins and old houses dotted in between. Many of these old houses are used as office spaces and cannot be visited. Some have been converted into exhibition halls and can be entered for a look.
There is no fence around Yuehu Lake. It is a fully open park. As long as there is a road, you can enter. It is suitable for casual strolls and there is no need for a fixed itinerary. The scenic spots are relatively concentrated in the north and east of the lake. Starting from the northeast corner, you will see a ‘water gauge tablet’ in a small pavilion in the water. There is a character ‘flat’ on it. It is a relic of the Song Dynasty used to measure water level.Not far away is a famous ruins. Now on the ruins, the Mingzhou Exhibition Hall has been built. There are a small number of cultural relics inside, and the graphic and text materials are also quite informative.
Next to it, Dafang Yue Di has free art exhibitions open to the public and is a place where exhibitions are concentrated in Yuehu.
Lu’s Residence near the lake is the residence of Lu Hongchang and his son Lu Chengzhang who made significant contributions to the restoration of Ningbo during the Xinhai period. This residence was quite influential in the late Qing Dynasty. Now you can only see its appearance.
Yintai Di near Yingfeng Street is an old residence that is rarely completely preserved and can be visited for free by tourists. Every room inside is very exquisitely furnished. Ancient furniture and daily necessities are very complete. You can feel the pattern of an ancient wealthy and powerful family.
The Liuting Street in the middle section of Yuehu Lake is the center of Yuehu Lake and has now become a major traffic road in the urban area. The quiet and simple He Secretariat Memorial Temple on the street is built to commemorate He Zhizhang. Now it is the office space of a certain unit. The nearby Guandi Temple with strong incense and the Buddhist laymen’s forest are all buildings rebuilt recently since the Ming Dynasty and have become the ‘three consecutive spots in Liuting’.
At the northern end of the south area, there is an Academician Forest, mostly gingko trees. On Song Island at the southern end, there is also an antique school, the old campus of Ningbo No.Visiting 2 Middle School and Lin’s Residence, located in Zijin Lane on the south bank of Yuehu Lake, offers a glimpse into a rare Qing Dynasty civilian residence in the urban area of Ningbo. This historic site is now home to Mingzhou Jia 12 Cultural Variety Hall, a private club that features calligraphy and painting exhibitions. The residence boasts over a hundred brick carvings, which are truly magnificent.
Exploring the area further, boating on Yuehu Lake is a delightful activity. You can purchase tickets for boating at docks situated in both the north and south areas of the lake. Additionally, the Tianyi Pavilion Museum, which is near Yuehu, is worth a visit.
For your convenience, the opening hours are as follows: from April 21 to October 21, the site operates from 08:00 to 17:30; and from October 22 to April 20, the hours are from 08:00 to 17:00.
