Last bits of observation in Ningbo.

August 7, 2012 / 0 comments

Last bits of observation in Ningbo.

Took me long enough to publish the last bit in Ningbo!

Last day in Ningbo, we visited the highly recommended tourist attraction Tian Yi Ge 天一阁博物馆. Didn’t know what to expect.

Our local chauffeur explained – it was an actual private library founded during the Ming Dynasty where the owner Fan Qin read and wrote….

Ming Dynasty was between 1368 to 1644, we are speaking of an architecture built 350+ odd years ago. I hardly kept anything over 20 years. Cultural legacy inherited from previous generations could easily be wiped out if we do not actively preserve them – especially in our economy driven system. Yes yes, there are the Eyptian pyramids and Seven Wonders like the Colloseum those went even way back, but a small, non-eye catching library in the middle of the Ningbo city?

Once we set foot on Tian Yi Ge, it was easy to notice the effort put into conserving this cultural heritage. The first thing I see is a “customized” recycle/garbage bin.

Walking in this beautiful preserved library, I felt a sense of linkage to the past (eventhough I’m not from Ningbo) and somewhat more intellectual, haha.

Detailed craftsmenship on a simple doorway.

Landscape is also part of heritage conservation.

Cabinets made of camphor was used to keep the antique books (with superb properties to prevent moths and rust).

Love how the tall building stood behind the library’s courtyard – connecting the present and the past.

Hmmm, how do kiddies appreciate art and history?

Enough of the past….we left Ningbo to Shanghai by car and were on Hangzhou Bay Bridge (35km long) which used to be one of the longest bridge in China until Jiaozhou Bridge (42.3km) opened last year.

The bold colours used on the bridge were pleasant to a long car ride.

The sky, cloud and sea looked immaculate on camera that particular day.

The view was spectacular in the 30mins ride BUT wait…. I was disappointed no hybrid wind turbine/solar lamposts were used.

20120207_142447 — a hybrid wind/solar lamp post randomly found online
http://www.kehua.com/solar.aspx?Classid=14

20120207_143510 — This is how it works. Every lamp post is self sufficient, which means no more wiring of electricity. Brilliant!

Such design can be recently found in Alibaba (many produced in China.) I guess I need to check out newer highways in China to find this relatively new design.