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This Lebanese restaurant delivers a welcome break from Chinese food. The smell draws you in, too: warm bread and roasted cumin. Get Lebanese bread dipped in creamy hummus and follow it with a kebob. This is one of the only places to offer Halal food in Ningbo.

Every night around 10 p.m., seemingly half of Ningbo floods this tiny shop, fighting over the last loaf of bread. If you can fight your way in, the sponge cakes filled with cream are a tasty delight. The small bread with currants is also delicious.

If you need a landmark, look no further. You’ll find this church soaring above the Ningbo skyline, always letting you know where you are. It’s at the far edge of Tianyi Square, so after some hectic shopping and running around, the church provides a tranquil place to sit and enjoy a quiet moment.

The Drum Tower, though rebuilt many times, originally stood in the center of ancient Ningbo, 1100 years ago. You can climb to the top and look out over the city, imagining it as it might have been back then. Be sure to admire the base. A small tunnel lies within the massive stone foundation, and you have to pass through it to get to the bustling market on the other side. If you need a caffeine fix, cross through to Traveler’s Coffee.

Ganesha Indian is one of the city’s top restaurants—illustrating Ningbo’s international flair. British expats swear by its curry selection, and the naan is fluffy and warm. Bhangra music plays downstairs, while the upstairs area has couches that are all too inviting after a huge meal. Prices are affordable and the restaurant often hosts lively parties for the expat community.

LBB Beer House is the oldest expat bar in Ningbo. It’s been open for fifteen years, though it had to close for a while due to noise complaints from the neighbors. The space has been renovated it, making it seem cavernous, in a cozy way. Inside you’ll find a nice pool table and a solid cocktail menu. The surrounding neighborhood is perfect for an after-bar stroll.

Hangzhou is an easy day trip from Shanghai, just 45 minutes by bullet train from Hongqiao Station. Hangzhou is the home of China’s prized Longjing green tea, which you can taste at the China National Tea Museum. The city is also known for its temples and for beautiful West Lake, captured in countless photos and classical Chinese paintings. Lingyin Temple is one of China’s largest Buddhist temples, which dates back to the 4th century (although most of the buildings that visitors see today are contemporary reconstructions of Qing Dynasty structures). In front of the temple is the Feilai Feng grotto, with more than 300 rock reliefs of Buddha, some dating from the 10th century.

Built entirely from wood, this seafood eatery resembles something out of ancient China. Underneath the hum of happy diners, the building creaks and thumps like a living creature. The counter of the open kitchen is a rich display of fresh seafood on ice. Be sure to try a steaming bowl of soup with fresh, soft noodles, and be prepared to share space with local families at long tables. Once there, you can enjoy an elaborate feast for less than $10USD.

Ningbo’s Old Bund was the place where historic British and Dutch traders lived and you can still see remaining architecture. The swooped lines of Chinese-style buildings are replaced by old stone buildings with familiar details. Also known as Laowaitan, the area is now a lively street full of bars and restaurants. In the evenings, find bamboo sticks of vegetables, seafood, and meat grilled over big chunks of charcoal and smothered in spices—the perfect snack after a few drinks at the Old Bund.