寧波不僅是聞名中外的港口城市,而且是一座歷史悠久的文化名城。1973年發現的河姆渡遺址(the Hemudu Site)證明這里是中華民族的發祥地之一。寧波從唐代起就成為中國著名的國際貿易港,與日本等國家關系密切。今日寧波中心區的城市結構與布局基本定型于宋朝。第一次鴉片戰爭(Opium War)后,寧波成為當時五個通商口岸之一,現仍保存著海運碼頭、海關等古跡。
Ningbo is known as not only a port city both at home and abroad, but also a cultural city with a long history. The Hemudu Site, which was discovered in 1973, proves that Ningbo is one of the cradles of the Chinese nation. Since the Tang Dynasty, Ningbo has been known as an international trade port, linking China with Japan and other countries closely. The urban structure and layout of downtown Ningbo today took shape in the Song Dynasty. After the First Opium War, Ningbo became one of the five open ports for trade. The historical remains of docks and customs of the past can still be seen today.