Baoguo Si
Set in a leafy hillside site, this temple, founded in 845, has a Tang dynasty stele and a main hall (dated 1013), which is claimed to be the oldest surviving wooden structure south of the Chang Jiang (Yangzi). Surrounding structures dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties house 17 small but interesting exhibitions. In the main hall, three caissons sit on seven layers of gradually angled bracket sets in one of the most intricate roofing structures you'll see in China. Supportinggualeng("melonlike division") pillars are ribbed with eight segments, and lean alarmingly. Higher halls hold displays that include 108 statues of Guanyin, and a 724-volume limited-edition sutra collection. The rearmost hall has a small exhibition devoted to Minzhou marriage customs, including a magnificent bridal sedan chair.
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| Hours | 8.30am-6.30pm | |
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| Location | Around Ningbo | |
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| Transportation | Bus: no. 332 from Xin Malu north of the ferry port to terminus (¥1/15¢; every 30 min. 5:50am-5pm) | |
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| Phone | 0574/8758-6317 | |
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| Prices | Admission ¥12 ($1.50) | |