Ningbo Museum

Ningbo Museum is a history museum in Yinzhou District that stands out for its unusual architecture made from recycled materials taken from demolished buildings. The outer walls use traditional construction techniques that connect stone and ceramic pieces with thin lime layers.

The building was designed in 2008 by architect Wang Shu, who later became the first Chinese recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. His work brought together traditional Chinese construction techniques with modern design thinking.

The collections here reflect Ningbo's role as a trading port and the deep connection between its people and the sea. Visitors can see traditional crafts and objects from the Hemudu culture period, showing how communities lived and worked in this region long ago.

The museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday, with last entry occurring two hours before closing. Plan to spend enough time exploring the displays at a comfortable pace, especially if you want to study the details of the traditional construction methods.

The outer walls use an ancient wapan technique where stones and roof tiles are connected through thin lime layers to create a flexible structure. This method allows the building to shift slightly while maintaining its shape and strength.

Location: Yinzhou District

Location: Ningbo

Inception: December 5, 2008

Architects: Wang Shu, Lu Wenyu

Official opening: December 5, 2008

Website: http://nbmuseum.cn

GPS coordinates: 29.81739,121.54122

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:00