Ningbo Costume Museum

Ningbo Costume Museum

The Ningbo Costume Museum is located in the Moon Lake Scenic Area in downtown Ningbo, covering an area of over 3,600 square meters. It was developed through a large-scale expansion around the well-known Qing and Republican-era buildings on Bao’kui Lane. As a large costume museum themed around displaying the culture and history of Chinese attire, it is also China's first specialized costume museum.

As the birthplace of the “Fengbang” tailors in the history of China’s garment industry, Ningbo has today earned the reputation of being the “City of Garments.” Well-known brands such as Shanshan, Youngor, Romon, Yixiu, and Old K have become household names across China.

Centered around showcasing over 2,000 treasured pieces of historical Chinese clothing and accessories, the museum restores significant historical scenes, interweaving the origin of Ningbo’s garment industry, the emergence of another school—the Hongbang tailors—as well as their historical contributions to the formation and development of modern and contemporary Chinese fashion, vividly illustrating the theme of the evolution of Chinese clothing culture.

The exhibits begin with primitive garments woven by the Hemudu people 7,000 years ago, displaying the evolution of attire from the pre-Qin period, through the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, all the way to the Republican era. Alongside the chronological history, the museum also features lifelike historical scenes that have faded with time—bridal chambers, five generations under one roof, weaving and embroidery workshops, and tailor shops.

Building upon this foundation, the museum highlights in rich detail a social group that made significant contributions to the formation and development of modern Chinese fashion—the Ningbo Hongbang tailors. Spanning two centuries, they remained steadfast in their craft, learning their trade at Yokohama Port, gaining fame on the Bund in Shanghai, expanding into the three northeastern provinces, dominating Tianjin, extending to Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Beijing, aiding the western regions, and dedicating themselves to the Sanjiangkou area. They established eight milestones that Ningbo people take pride in, and created “five firsts” in China’s garment industry.

The museum tirelessly explores and innovates. In the modern gallery, it passionately celebrates the industrialization process of Ningbo as a major garment city, along with its renowned factories, personalities, famous brands, and flagship products. Together, they create a seamless and splendid ensemble. Strolling through the Costume Museum feels like entering a grand hall of clothing culture.

Address: G15 Shenhai Expressway, No. 80, Lanhai Lane, Tian Gong Road, Wandi Village, Xiaying Subdistrict, Yinzhou District, Ningbo

Type: Museum

Recommended visiting time: 1 hour

Phone: 0574-87321028

Opening hours:

8:30–16:30 (last entry at 16:15), closed on Mondays, open on holidays.

Ticket information:

Free admission.