Yuyao cotton, a traditional specialty of Ningbo with a long history, has had a significant impact both nationally and across the eastern Zhejiang region. Cotton is an annual herbaceous plant. China has a fairly long history of cultivating cotton, dating back at least to the Han Dynasty. The coastal location of Ningbo, along with the land reclaimed from the sea, made it highly suitable for cotton cultivation, making it one of the earlier regions to promote cotton growing...
Yuyao micro-carvings are exquisite artworks carved on ivory pieces as small as half a grain of rice, featuring various figures and animals. Under a magnifying glass, their lifelike forms can be seen in vivid detail. Such exquisitely crafted miniatures are hailed as “miraculous workmanship beyond mortal skill.” As early as thousands of years ago, micro-carving artworks were already being passed down in China. Yuyao micro-carving...
The Dayin stone carvings of Yuyao are crafted from stone quarried from rocky outcrops. It is said that this craft began in the Tang Dynasty (though some say as early as the Han Dynasty), boasting a history of over a thousand years. Initially, the Dayin stone industry primarily focused on quarrying stone slabs. Over time, with the development of the slab industry, it expanded into construction, and the growth of the construction sector broadened the uses of stone products...
Lübu Buddhist sculptures originated in the Wei and Jin dynasties, flourished in the Tang dynasty, and reached their peak during the Qing dynasty, with over 400 master artisans engaged in the craft. Most Lübu Buddhist sculpture artists carve Buddha statues from precious woods such as camphor and nanmu. Thanks to their exquisite craftsmanship and lifelike expressions, the sculptures have been widely welcomed by all sectors of society, with products distributed both domestically and abroad. …
Yuyao dried bamboo shoots and mustard greens were offered as tribute to the imperial court as early as the Ming Dynasty. With their bright yellow color, tender texture, sweet taste, and rich aroma, they are hailed as a “rare delicacy.” They are known for their long shelf life, portability, fresh and delicious flavor, and suitability for all seasons. The main ingredients of Yuyao dried bamboo shoots and mustard greens are potherb mustard and spring bamboo shoots. The quality of the raw materials greatly affects the final product. …
Product Name: Ningbo Atractylodes Place of Origin: Ningbo Product Features: It is mainly used to treat spleen deficiency diarrhea, edema, phlegm retention, and other conditions. Product Introduction: In the past, Atractylodes was classified into seven commercial grades as per specifications: Feng Mian, Tai Feng Wang, Feng Wang, Feng Gong, Ding Gong, Jing Gong, and Jing Jing, all of which belong to roasted Atractylodes. …
Product Name: Ningbo Shrimp Skin Place of Origin: Ningbo Product Features: Appetizing, expectorant Product Introduction: A distinctive condiment, the shrimp skin is highly nutritious and known as the "warehouse of calcium," making it an affordable and excellent source of calcium. Product History: According to historical records, shrimp skin also…
Product Name: Ningbo Salted Crab Paste Product Origin: Ningbo, China Product Features: Rich in flavor, delicious taste Product Introduction: Refined from hair crab from the East China Sea, this paste features bright red roe and a golden, jade-like color. It has a tender, smooth texture and a rich, mellow flavor. Since its introduction, it has been highly favored by consumers. Product History…
Product Name: Clear and Refreshing Soup Place of Origin: Ningbo Product Features: Nutritious, excellent color, aroma, and taste, Product Description: Commonly known as dried evergreen vegetable or dried mustard green shoots, this is a traditional specialty. In February and March, when winter oilseed rape sprouts abundantly, its top three or four tender shoots are harvested as raw material, …
Product Name: Laver Layered Cake Product Origin: Ningbo Product Features: Excellent color, aroma, and taste; crispy, richly flavored, sweet and salty balance, leaves a pleasant aftertaste. Product Description: Its main ingredient is flour, along with generous amounts of sugar, sesame seeds, peanuts, and an appropriate amount of laver powder. It goes through twelve steps of cake-making...
Ningbo Zhu Jin Lacquered Wood Carving, commonly referred to as Zhu Jin Wood Carving, is a traditional craft primarily characterized by gilding and vermillion painting on wood carvings. It centers around Ningbo City in Zhejiang Province and extends to nearby areas such as Cixi, Yuyao, Fenghua, Xiangshan, Ninghai, Zhenhai, and Yinzhou. The lacquerware craftsmanship of the Ningbo region can be traced back to the Hemudu Culture of the Neolithic Age, while Ningbo Zhu Jin Lacquered Wood Carving shares roots with...
A dried product made from sea eel, known for its delicious flavor. Around the Winter Solstice, a fresh sea eel is split open from the back, gutted, and wiped clean with a damp towel. It is then stretched open using thin bamboo strips and hung in a cool, ventilated place to dry. When ready to eat, simply steam it. There’s a folk saying: “Freshly dried eel tastes better than chicken.” This type of fish jerky has existed since ancient times…
Wei Xiang Yuan Grapes -- In 2015, the Linshan Wei Xiang Yuan Grape Base was recognized as a nationally renowned, specialty, and high-quality agricultural product. Located in the beautiful and fertile Hangzhou Bay, the base lies to the south of the ancient town of Linshan Wei and is the largest grape production base in Ningbo. Grape cultivation in Linshan has a long history, with records dating back to the “Linshan Wei Annals” from the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty. Continuing...
Yu Yao turtle is a specialty of Yu Yao City, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Yu Yao turtles have a shiny appearance, with smooth, thick, and elastic skirts. They contain relatively low body fat, which appears naturally yellow, and they exhibit strong mobility, making them high-quality and close to wild turtles. Yu Yao turtle is a nationally protected product under China’s Agricultural Product Geographical Indication system. Yu Yao is located along the easternmost part of China's 30-degree north latitude...
Product Name: Sweet Glutinous Rice Balls in Fermented Glutinous Rice Wine Place of Origin: Ningbo Product Characteristics: Sweet, soft, and delicious with a unique flavor Product Description: Sweet Glutinous Rice Balls in Fermented Glutinous Rice Wine: Made from high-quality white glutinous rice, which is soaked and ground to produce glutinous rice flour. The flour is then hand-rolled into small balls and set aside. Premium white glutinous rice is steamed and then...
Ingredients: 250g fine flour, 80g cooked lard, 300g shredded radish, 200g pork back fat, 50g shredded ham, a small amount of white sesame. Seasonings: cooking oil, MSG, chopped scallions, and pepper, all to taste. Preparation: 1. First mix lard, water, and flour to make a water-oil dough and a dry oil pastry. Then flatten the water...
Smoked tofu is one of the most commonly eaten and beloved bean products among the people of Ningbo. Among all smoked tofu varieties, those produced by Ningbo’s Loumaoji are the most famous and have long been widely popular. Loumaoji Smoked Tofu has a history of over 300 years. Legend has it that the Lou family originally ran a tofu workshop, making products such as tofu, bean sprouts, vegetarian chicken, layered tofu, fried tofu, and smoked tofu...
Tree root carvings, also known as firewood root carvings, are a traditional handicraft of the Ninghai area. Tree root carvings mainly use the roots of plants such as azalea, lacquer tree, oak, and boxwood as raw materials. After soaking in water and peeling, they are slightly processed and carved into various birds, beasts, flowers, and human figures, blending art with natural beauty to become a form of abstract art. The craft of Ninghai tree root carvings...
Ningbo is the "hometown" of bamboo weaving. The Siming Mountains are rich in moso bamboo, which has been used since ancient times to weave various simple and practical tools such as bamboo baskets and bamboo crates. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the examination baskets and food baskets used by scholars from Jiangnan traveling to the capital for imperial exams were all made of woven bamboo. In the mountainous areas of Yinxian, Fenghua, and Yuyao, there are dozens of bamboo weaving workers from village-run bamboo weaving factories who skillfully...
A traditional seasonal dish from Ningbo. The main ingredients are salted sailfish and meatballs. First, finely chop pork belly and shape it into meatballs; then descale and clean the salted sailfish (keeping the roe), cut the midsection into chunks, and place them at the bottom of a bowl. Cover with bamboo shoots, arrange the meatballs on top of the slices, then add shredded mushrooms, ginger slices, a scallion bundle, and Shaoxing wine. Steam over high heat…