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Conference Dates and Venues
18–20 December 2026
Day 1 (Friday, 18 December 2026): Ningbo International Conference Centre
Day 2 (Saturday, 19 December 2026): University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC)
Day 3 (Sunday, 20 December 2026): University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC)
Day 1 venue: Ningbo International Conference Centre (NBICC)
Address: No. 1, Huibo Road, Dongqian Lake Town, Yinzhou District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China 315100
Tel: +86 574 8841 0131
Links: Venue website | View photos of NBICC and the Wonderland Hotel | View on map
The Ningbo International Conference Centre (NBICC) is set on the western shore of Dongqian Lake, one of China's most scenic national resort areas. Conceived by renowned architect Tang Hua, the project draws on Ningbo's regional heritage and its connection to the modern city. Its design is inspired by traditional Jiangnan architecture, with pavilions, corridors, and terraces opening onto lakes, wetlands, and rice fields, creating a tranquil and distinctive backdrop for academic exchange. The venue is complemented by the on-site Wonderland Hotel, which offers guest rooms designed in a contemporary style with Chinese traditional touches, blending modern comfort with local character. With its lakeside setting, serene surroundings, and thoughtful design, NBICC offers a retreat that balances professionalism with the natural beauty of the region.
Days 2 and 3 venue: University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC)
Address: University of Nottingham Ningbo China, No.199 Taikang East Road, Yinzhou District, Ningbo, 315100, China
Tel: +86 574 8818 0000
Links: University website | Take the 360° virtual campus tour | View on map
The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) was founded in 2004 with the approval of China's Ministry of Education. It is the first Sino-foreign cooperative university in China with its own independent legal status and campus, and it follows the education model and standards of the University of Nottingham in the UK. Its 144-acre parkland campus features gardens, a lake and its own version of Nottingham's iconic Trent Building and clock tower. UNNC offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral education to nearly 10,000 students, with students and staff from more than 70 countries and regions, and the campus is just a two-minute walk from a Ningbo Metro Line 8 station.
Venue, Travel and Gala Dinner
About Ningbo
Ningbo is a historic port city on China's southeast coast, located in the Yangtze River Delta within close proximity to Shanghai (approximately 1.5 hours by high-speed rail). As one of the country's first fourteen open cities, it has a long-standing international outlook. The city is home to the 7,000-year-old Hemudu Culture and was the eastern starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, with a rich heritage of trade and cultural exchange. Tianyi Pavilion, Asia's oldest surviving private library, reflects its deep scholarly traditions. Today, Ningbo is a National Forest City and one of China's top leisure tourism destinations, offering a pleasant environment for visitors.
How to reach Ningbo
Plane: You can fly to Ningbo Lishe International Airport (NGB). Several major airlines offer flights from the US and Europe with connecting services to Ningbo via larger Chinese cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Beijing. The airport is about eight miles southwest of the city centre. A regular airport shuttle bus runs from the arrival terminal to Ningbo Railway Station. Taxis are also available and cost around ¥50.
Train: Ningbo is well connected by high-speed rail to most major Chinese cities. The journey from Shanghai takes around 2 hours, and a first-class return ticket is approximately ¥450. Hangzhou takes around 1 hour, and a first-class return ticket is around ¥250.
Car: Spanning 22 miles, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge is one of the world's longest sea-crossing bridges and has greatly shortened the driving distance between Shanghai and Ningbo. Eastern China has a well-developed highway network, and you can drive all the way from Guangzhou in the south via the G60 toll expressway in about 14 hours.
Bus: Intercity buses from Shanghai and Hangzhou arrive at Ningbo South Bus Station. Other bus terminals include North, West, East and Zhongba Bus Stations. South Bus Station is located in Haishu District, close to Ningbo Railway Station and a short distance from the city centre. Fares are reasonable and a return trip to Hangzhou is around ¥100.
Taxi: Taxis are widely available. The local taxi tariff starts at ¥11 for the first three kilometres, with ¥2.4 charged for each additional kilometre. Private taxi transfers from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Ningbo are estimated at ¥1,000, and transfers from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to Ningbo are around ¥450.
Gala Dinner: Yan Wai Yan (Wu Mansion)
Address: No. 40 Xiushui Street, Gulou Subdistrict, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
Enjoy an authentic Chinese dining experience in a beautifully preserved traditional mansion. The venue combines exquisite Chinese cuisine with elegant traditional décor, classical Chinese architecture, and live cultural performances, including traditional Chinese dance, offering delegates an immersive experience of China's rich cultural heritage.
Transport: IFABS will provide transport to and from the gala dinner.
Time: The evening starts at around 6:30pm and includes a performance lasting about 2 hours.
Accommodation
We have arranged three accommodation options for you: one on-campus hotel and two off-campus hotels.
How to Book
1. Via Trip.com or other travel agencies (standard rate): Bookings made through this method will be charged at the hotel's standard published rate. Corresponding Trip.com links are provided below for your information.
2. Directly via the hotel (conference rate): Please call or email the hotel directly, quoting "IFABS Ningbo 2026" to access our negotiated conference rate. Payment can be made upon arrival at the hotel.
Please note: Rooms at the special conference rate are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
LA Hotel (on-campus accommodation at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China)
Address: University of Nottingham Ningbo China, No.199 Taikang East Road, Yinzhou District, Ningbo, 315100, China
Room rates: King: CNY 318 (single breakfast) / CNY 338 (double breakfast); Twin: CNY 308 (single breakfast) / CNY 328 (double breakfast)
Distance: 10 km to Ningbo International Conference Centre (approx. 25 min drive); on campus for Days 2 and 3
Email: LA-Hotel@nottingham.edu.cn
Tel: +86 574 88180818
Please note: The on-campus hotel is not open to the general public. Reservations can only be made by email or telephone.
Nanyuan Universe Deluxe Hotel (5-star)
Address: No. 1288 Yinxian Avenue, Yinzhou District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China
Room rate: King/Twin CNY 500 per night (including breakfast)
Distance: 13 km to Ningbo International Conference Centre (approx. 30 min drive); 3.9 km to UNNC (approx. 15 min drive)
Email: nyreservation@163.com
Tel: +86 574 82808188
Trip.com: View on Trip.com
Teckon Xiyue Hotel (Ningbo Yinzhou Wanda Plaza Incity Store) (4-star)
Address: No. 606 Siming Middle Road, Yinzhou District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315100, China
Room rate: King/Twin CNY 300 per night (including breakfast)
Distance: 15 km to Ningbo International Conference Centre (approx. 30 min drive); 3.6 km to UNNC (approx. 15 min drive)
Email: fwsyb@teckongroup.com
Tel: +86 15888194772
Trip.com: View on Trip.com