Cicheng Ancient Town in Ningbo

Between the mountains and plains of Ningbo’s Jiangbei District lies Cicheng Ancient Town (慈城古县城), a historic town planned according to the layout of Chang’an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty.

The town was founded in 738 during the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, when Fang Guan (房琯), a descendant of the famous Tang Dynasty statesman Fang Xuanling, became its first county magistrate. Following the grid-like plan of Chang’an, he laid out the streets in a remarkably orderly pattern.

Cicheng is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the river on the fourth. Straight streets intersect at right angles, while former defensive features such as moats, city walls and gates once protected the town.

Walking through Cicheng today feels almost like stepping into a living specimen of an ancient Chinese county town.

There is no large entrance gate and no general admission fee, yet the town preserves nearly 600,000 square meters of Ming and Qing Dynasty historic architecture. It is also a national 4A-rated tourist attraction and a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

If you are looking for a place in Ningbo where you can experience both the planning principles of a Tang Dynasty city and the everyday atmosphere of a Jiangnan water-town community, Cicheng is an excellent choice.

Walk past the red walls and dark-tiled roofs of the Confucian Temple, hear the ceremonial drums of the old county government, sit in an examination cell at the former imperial examination hall, and finish the day with a bite of freshly made Cicheng rice cake on Minquan Road.

A Town of Scholarship: Confucian Temple, County Government and Examination Hall

Most of Cicheng's major historic attractions are concentrated within the approximately 3-square-kilometer old town, making it easy to explore on foot.

A combined ticket covering the main paid attractions costs around RMB 75 and offers good value if you plan to visit several historic sites.

Cicheng Confucian Temple

The Cicheng Confucian Temple (慈城孔庙) is one of the best-preserved Confucian educational complexes in eastern Zhejiang.

Its red walls, dark tiled roofs, Lingxing Gate and Dacheng Hall create a distinctly traditional scholarly atmosphere. The overall layout remains remarkably complete and reflects the Confucian ideal of harmony, balance and order.

For visitors interested in Chinese culture, architecture or photography, this is one of the most rewarding stops in Cicheng.

Students in particular may enjoy the symbolic idea of coming here to “absorb some scholarly energy.”

The combination of red walls and simple-colored clothing also makes for excellent traditional-style photographs.

Cicheng Ancient County Government

The Ancient County Government (古县衙) preserves traces of a Tang Dynasty stone-paved walkway and covers approximately 5,000 square meters.

Historic buildings, courtyards and gardens recreate the atmosphere of an ancient Chinese administrative center.

Daily reenactments of a traditional county court hearing bring the site to life, while the rear garden offers a quieter setting, with tiled eaves reflected in the water.

Xiaoshi Examination Hall

The Xiaoshi Examination Hall (校士馆) was once a venue for the preliminary examinations taken by young candidates preparing for the imperial examination system.

Locally known as a “kaopeng,” or examination compound, it gives visitors a glimpse into one of the most important institutions in traditional Chinese society.

You can even dress in the robes of a scholar and enter an examination cell, recreating the experience of an ancient examination candidate.

The narrow cells, orderly layout and historical atmosphere make it an especially interesting stop for visitors curious about China's traditional education system.

Fengyue Painted Gate Residence

The Fengyue Painted Gate Residence (冯岳彩绘台门) is a remarkable Ming Dynasty official residence.

Its finely painted wooden structures are among the architectural highlights of Cicheng and make it an important stop for anyone interested in traditional Chinese residential architecture.

The residence is also a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

Beyond these major attractions, historic residences such as Zoumalou (走马楼), Jiadi Shijia (甲第世家) and Buzhengfang (布政房) are scattered through the old lanes.

For such a small county town, Cicheng has an extraordinary scholarly history. A total of 519 successful imperial examination candidates from Cicheng became jinshi, the highest degree awarded through the traditional examination system. The town produced scholars who achieved the ranks of zhuangyuan, bangyan and tanhua—the top three positions in the imperial examination.

As you walk across the old stone-paved streets, it is easy to understand why Cicheng is often associated with an atmosphere of scholarship.

Cihu Lake and Qingdao Temple: Mountains, Water and Ancient Philosophy

North of the old town lies Cihu Lake (慈湖), a peaceful body of water surrounded by greenery.

At the lakeside, Shigu Pavilion (师古亭) and the Rainbow Bridge (彩虹桥) are reflected in the water. On misty mornings, the landscape can look remarkably similar to a traditional Song Dynasty landscape painting.

Today, Cihu has become more lively with the addition of boat rides, available approximately from 10:00 to 17:00, as well as water performances and floating markets.

For centuries, the lake has been one of Cicheng's quietest landscapes. These newer activities add another layer to the experience without taking away its scenic character.

Qingdao Temple

Near Cihu stands Qingdao Temple (清道观), founded in 749 during the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty.

It is regarded as one of the best-known Taoist temples in the Jiangnan region.

The temple is particularly known for three historic features:

• Ancient cypress trees
• Intricately crafted revolving scripture pillars
• A massive five-metal bell

Climb toward the higher part of the temple grounds and you can enjoy views across both the old town and the newer parts of Cicheng.

The combination is one of Cicheng's most interesting cultural contrasts:

One Confucian temple, one Taoist temple and one tranquil lake bring together Confucianism and Taoism, worldly scholarship and spiritual retreat, within the same landscape.

Cicheng Rice Cakes: The Town's Most Delicious Calling Card

If Cicheng's scholarly heritage forms its backbone, then rice cake is its soul.

Cicheng is widely known as the “Hometown of Chinese Rice Cakes,” and local tradition traces the history of its rice cakes back more than 3,000 years.

The renowned writer Feng Jicai (冯骥才), whose ancestral home was Cicheng, once described rice cake as an important historical symbol of the town's food culture and a heritage passed down by its ancestors.

Cicheng is also home to China's only museum dedicated to rice cakes, where visitors can learn about the traditional craft and try hands-on experiences.

What Makes Cicheng Rice Cakes Special?

Cicheng's traditional water-milled rice cake is made using a distinctive technique.

Rice is ground together with water, producing a fine rice slurry. After filtering and removing excess air, the mixture is repeatedly pounded and processed until it develops its characteristic texture.

The finished rice cake is traditionally described as being:

“Pure as jade, resilient and even, smooth and pleasant to eat, resistant to overcooking and suitable for long-term storage.”

There is also a popular local legend connecting the origin of Cicheng rice cakes with Wu Zixu (伍子胥). According to the story, when Wu Zixu was stationed in the area, he developed a method of making durable rice cakes as a way to store food for times of war.

Whether legend or history, the story has become an enduring part of Cicheng's food culture.

Try Rice Cakes in Every Possible Form

Rice cake is far more versatile than many international visitors might expect.

Local dishes include:

• Stir-fried rice cake with crab
• Stir-fried rice cake with shepherd's purse
• Sweet osmanthus rice cake
• Stir-fried rice cake with swimming crab
• Pan-fried rice cake with seaweed
• Rice cake soup with pickled vegetables and shredded pork

On Minquan Road, small food stalls sell freshly prepared snacks such as rice cake dumplings filled with pickled vegetables and bamboo shoots, golden rice cakes, Youzanzi fried pastries and Huizhituo traditional rice cakes.

With around RMB 20 per person, you can sample quite a variety of local snacks.

Zoumalou Restaurant

For a more substantial meal, Zoumalou Restaurant (走马楼饭庄) is one of Cicheng's better-known dining establishments.

It is recognized as a city-level “Hundreds of Counties, Thousands of Bowls” local food experience restaurant.

Its signature dishes include sweet-fermented-rice and walnut soup and house-special pork trotter rings, both of which have been listed among the Top Ten Dishes of Jiangbei.

The lightly sweet fermented-rice flavor combined with crunchy walnuts makes the dessert particularly memorable. A small serving costs around RMB 59 and is generous enough for two people to share.

Travel Tips for Visiting Cicheng Ancient Town

Best Time to Visit

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for exploring Cicheng.

In spring, willow trees and flowers brighten the shores of Cihu Lake. Autumn brings cooler temperatures and clearer skies, making it ideal for leisurely walks through the old town.

During public holidays, the town may host markets and evening activities, attracting significantly larger crowds. During one Lantern Festival, daily visitor numbers reportedly reached 75,600.

For a quieter experience, arrive in the morning, when the streets are less crowded and the light is softer for photography.

Opening Hours

• Historic town streets: Open 24 hours and free to enter
• Paid attractions: Approximately 8:30–16:50, with last entry at 16:30
• Night-tour areas: Open until around 21:00

The Rice Cake Museum is free to enter.

Some individual attractions may close on Mondays, so check the latest schedule before visiting.

Ticket Information

Exploring the old town itself is free.

The main paid attractions—including the Confucian Temple, Ancient County Government, Xiaoshi Examination Hall and Fengyue Painted Gate Residence—can be visited with a combined ticket costing around RMB 75.

If you plan to visit several historic sites, the combination ticket is generally more convenient and economical.

How Long to Spend

Allow 3–5 hours for a standard visit.

If you want to try rice-cake making, explore the museums, take a boat on Cihu Lake and experience the evening atmosphere, consider spending a full day or even one night in Cicheng.

How to Get There

By Metro

Take Ningbo Metro Line 4 to Cicheng Station (慈城站) and leave through Exit A2.

The historic town is only about 5 minutes on foot from the station, making Cicheng particularly easy to visit without a car.

By Car

Set your navigation to Cicheng Ancient Town Visitor Center (慈城古县城游客中心).

Parking facilities are available around the historic town.

Recommended Walking Route

For a route that minimizes backtracking:

Cicheng Confucian Temple → Ancient County Government → Xiaoshi Examination Hall → Minquan Road → Fengyue Painted Gate Residence → Cihu Lake → Junma River

Start with the town's scholarly heritage in the morning, stop on Minquan Road for a rice-cake lunch, then continue toward Cihu Lake in the afternoon.

Around sunset, Junma River (骏马河) becomes particularly atmospheric, with lanterns and reflections on the water.

Photography Tips

• Confucian Temple: The red walls and dark roofs create a classic backdrop. Simple-colored clothing or traditional Chinese outfits work especially well.
• Shigu Pavilion at Cihu Lake: Visit in the early morning when mist and reflections can create a landscape reminiscent of an ancient Chinese painting.
• Junma River: Come around dusk, when the lanterns begin to illuminate the water.
• Clothing: Hanfu or modern Chinese-style outfits complement Cicheng's historic architecture particularly well.

Practical Tips

• Wear comfortable flat shoes. The historic town is best explored on foot.
• At the Rice Cake Museum, you can try traditional rice-cake making yourself. The hands-on experience of pounding the rice mixture with a wooden mallet is surprisingly fun.
• Some attractions may close on Mondays, so check before setting out.
• The newer Cihu Lake evening experience, including water projections and boat rides, is worth considering if you stay into the evening.

Explore More Around Cicheng

Cicheng can easily be combined with Baoguo Temple (保国寺) for a one-day cultural route.

Start the morning exploring Cicheng Ancient Town, then drive to Baoguo Temple in the afternoon to experience one of China's most remarkable surviving examples of Northern Song timber-frame architecture.

If you have more time, continue to Sunhu Lake (荪湖) for a relaxed lakeside walk or take an easy hike along the North Mountain Walking Trail.

Together, these destinations create a satisfying combination of ancient urban culture, traditional architecture, lakeside scenery and mountain landscapes.

Why Visit Cicheng Ancient Town?

From the first streets planned by Fang Guan during the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty to the nearly 600,000 square meters of surviving Ming and Qing architecture; from the Lingxing Gate of the Confucian Temple to the narrow examination cells of the old examination hall; from the misty reflections of Cihu Lake to a freshly made piece of water-milled rice cake on Minquan Road, Cicheng brings together more than 1,200 years of history, scholarship and Jiangnan food culture.

The town has no imposing entrance gate and no general admission fee. Instead, it offers visitors something much more valuable: a glimpse of an ancient Chinese county town, the legacy of centuries of scholars, and the unmistakable aroma of freshly made rice cakes.

If you want to experience a quieter side of Ningbo, where Tang Dynasty city planning meets Jiangnan everyday life, Cicheng Ancient Town is an excellent place to explore.

Here, the streets follow the pattern of Chang’an, the rice cakes carry a tradition of thousands of years, and you can still walk across the old stone paving as if you were wandering through a “Little Chang’an” in Jiangnan.