Ningbo: Taolu Art Village & Dongqian Lake Private Day Trip

Spend a stylish, easygoing day by Dongqian Lake, exploring Ningbo's up-and-coming Taolu art village and the gentle lakeside scenery around it – all private to your group and tailored to a relaxed pace. Your English-speaking guide and private driver pick you up from your Ningbo hotel and bring you to the heart of the lake district.

You begin in the Taolu district, the gateway to Tao Gong Island and a creative hub of old Ningbo walls, the lakeside "lighthouse tree" and rotating art shows – fishing-boat mirror installations and village art exhibitions set right against the water. Strolling here is leisurely and full of photo opportunities.

Next you visit the Ningbo Academician Centre, with its huge lawn, the much-photographed lone tree and restored old village houses, where a causeway curves across the water like a rainbow and lakeside temples face each other across the lake. Following the island road you reach the artsy village of Limin, with its small art museum, Guanyin hall and waterside cafes – a perfect spot to slow down. You can sample an array of Dongqian Lake snacks for a relaxed local lunch (included), and, if you wish, walk the causeway out to the little Xiao Putuo island to pay respects at the Guanyin temple.

The whole day flows at your own rhythm, with comfortable private transport, hotel pickup and a personal guide. There is no strenuous activity – just art, lake views, good food and that easy weekend feeling, an authentic and contemporary side of everyday China.

A relaxed private day at Ningbo's Dongqian Lake: the trendy Taolu art village, lakeside art installations, great cafes and photo spots, plus an optional visit to Xiao Putuo, with guide, car and lunch.