China attractions - The Ningbo Old Bund was developed into an external trading port in 1844 and it began as the most prosperous port since Tang and Song Dynasties, 20 years older than the Shanghai Bund. It is one of the several existing century-old bunds in China. The Ningbo Old Bund, by the means of the well-preserved historic architecture and blocks, infused with new city culture, perfectly combines the long history with the ever changing innovation. Every cultural relic is a witness or a carrier of the history in different eras. These days, the Old Bund with a taste of modern fashion in its bones now has been a fashionable shopping center catering to tourists.
While there is a New West Lake in Hangzhou, a New World (Xintiandi) in Shanghai, Ningbo boasts its Old Bund. Although the small size of 80,000 square meters, the Old Bund embodies all the functions for customized consumption, including city exhibitions, international hotels, exotic restaurants and assembly halls etc.
Going through 100 years’ desolation, 600-million RMB invested Ningbo Old Bund was re-opened in January 1st 2005. As a result, its newly-built commercial blocks and the Tianyi Square have become nip and tuck in popularity.
Along the river bank, foreign consulates, church, bank and wharf stand in one line. All of them have no less than 100 years’ history. Presently, the well preserved 
buildings are as follows: British Consulate, Old Police Station, The Waterborne Headquarter in Anti-Japanese War, External Trading Bank and some residences of rich merchants. These structures are fine examples in European style in great contrast with those Chinese traditional ones.
When it comes to Bund, people will first think of Bund in Shanghai. However, it was not the earliest bund. After drafting the unequal “The Treaty of 
Nanjing” in 1842, Ningbo became one of the five trading ports and its estuary turned into a gathering place for occidental merchantmen. Both Chinese and foreign merchants were stampeded into setting up shops and stores here. Therefore, it got its name Waitan (outer shoal literally). The one thing you have to know is that Ningbo Old Bund is the earliest one in Chinese history !