Ningbo Dongqian Lake｜A One-Day Trip Guide That's Easy on the Legs

The tranquil lake surface is as blue as the ocean🌊 An artsy fishing village, healing green lawns, and a lone tree🌲 Dongqian Lake in Ningbo is as beautiful as Dali's Erhai🏖️ If you're visiting Ningbo, be sure to set aside a day for this place🚶🏻 🔥Here’s a quick one-day itinerary for those who love off-the-beaten-path travel and escaping the crowds😊 📌【Easy-on-the-Legs Route】: 🚇Dongqian Lake Metro Station ➠ Academician Center (viral tree & Little Erhai Viewing Deck) ➠ Limin Village (chill cafes galore) ➠ Jianshe Village (large-letter photo wall) ➠ Guojiazhi (Jeju Island vibes) ➠ South Shore Parking Lot (🏕️Little California) ➠ Riyue Slope (Little Altay🌲) ➠ International Lake House (Little Switzerland) ➠ Hanling Old Street 🛵Cycling is the recommended way to get around. Tips: Electric bikes are in high demand during holidays. ⚠️You can get off one stop early at Xiaoyangjiang Metro Station and ride a shared e-bike to Dongqian Lake in just 10min🏖️. There are also many e-bike rental shops near Dongqian Lake Metro Station🚗 📷【Photo Spots】 📍Academician Center (Pics 1–3) ◾️A viewing deck reminiscent of Erhai + sitting under the viral tree, where you can feel the cool lakeside breeze and overlook the fishing village’s white-walled, gray-tiled architecture🏘️, just like by Erhai in Dali. The view is bursting with vibrant life! 📍Limin Village (Pics 4–5) ◾️Home to artsy cafes☕️ and many alleys facing the lake, perfect for a leisurely stroll🚶‍♀️【Tip: At the Limin Village sign, turn left⬅️ at the fork—most cafes are there】 📍Jianshe Village (Pics 6–8) ◾️A small village at the foot of the mountain, featuring a large-letter wall🧱 + art installations perfect for photos. The place comes alive with a bustling atmosphere at night🌆 📍Guojiazhi (Pics 9–10) ◾️A lakeside road and shops with high saturation—on sunny days☀️, it feels like you’ve stepped into Jeju Island 📍South Shore Parking Lot & Riyue Slope (Pics 11–15) ◾️The parking lot dubbed "Little California" is great for vintage-style photos. 🏕️Riyue Slope has pristine lawns and a romantic lighthouse—it’s so peaceful you won’t want to leave 📍International Lake House (Pics 16–17) ◾️Cozy wooden cabins🏡 in the woods, giving Swiss forest vibes. The open view is perfect for watching the sunset over the lake🌅 🖊️【Tips】 🔸At Dongqian Lake, opt for an e-scooter-style bike🛵—it’s more stable and comfortable than small e-bikes. Remember to wear a helmet🪖, and avoid carrying passengers during holidays✅ 🔸Putuo Scenic Area is pedestrian-only🚶🏻. If you’re cycling around the lake, skip it—the detour is time-consuming⌚️ 🔸In the evening, head to Hanling Old Street, a commercial old street with Jiangnan watertown charm, packed with snacks and restaurants🍴 I’m Xiaosong📷, your virtual travel buddy, sharing only real travel experiences📖 Ningbo Academician Center, Limin Village, Jianshe Village Cultural Hall, Riyue Slope, International Lake House, Hanling Old Street