Yuehu is a crescent-shaped lake in the heart of Ningbo, once a place for literati to discuss philosophy during the Song and Ming dynasties, and now an important green lung for the city. Although it may not be as famous as West Lake in Hangzhou, it holds a similar status in Ningbo as West Lake does in Hangzhou. The lakeside is adorned with courtyards and old residences, making weekend strolls quite leisurely.
Yuehu features several islands such as Fangcaozhou, Liuting, Songdao, and Juhuazhou, some connected by bridges and others entirely connected to the mainland. The winding lake banks, elderly playing chess under weeping willows, and ancient buildings hidden among the trees contrast sharply with the bustling streets around. Liuting Street crosses the lake, dividing Yuehu into northern and southern sections, dotted with historical sites and old residences.
Many of these old residences are used as office spaces and are not open for visits, while some have been converted into exhibition halls that are accessible to the public. Yuehu Park is completely open without fences, accessible from any path, making it ideal for casual wandering without a fixed itinerary. The most concentrated attractions are on the north and east sides of the lake. Starting from the northeast corner, you will find a small pavilion in the water with a ‘water level stone’ inscribed with the character ‘Ping,’ a relic from the Song Dynasty used for measuring water levels.
Not far away is a famous site, now the site of the Mingzhou Museum and Exhibition Hall, which houses a small number of cultural relics and informative pictorial materials. The nearby Dafang Yue Di offers free art exhibitions to the public, making it a focal point for exhibitions in Yuehu. The Lu Residence, close to the lake, was the home of Lu Hongchang and Lu Chengzhang, who made significant contributions to the restoration of Ningbo during the Xinhai Revolution. This residence, once influential at the end of the Qing Dynasty, can now only be admired from the outside.
Yintai Di, near Yingfeng Street, is a rare well-preserved old residence that offers free admission to tourists. Each room is exquisitely arranged with complete ancient furniture and daily necessities, giving visitors a sense of the layout of an ancient wealthy family. Liuting Street, at the center of Yuehu, has become a major urban traffic road. The quiet and simple He Mijian Temple, built in memory of He Zhizhang, now serves as an office space for a certain unit.
In addition to Yuehu Park, the Tianyi Pavilion Museum nearby is also worth visiting. It operates from April 21st to October 21st, 08:00 to 17:30; and from October 22nd to April 20th, 08:00 to 17:00.
