Ningbo International Speedpark
Location
Chunxiao, Beilun District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
Current Local Time
Track Info
Ningbo International Speedpark - Ningbo, China
Modern hillside circuit in Zhejiang Province - known for touring cars, GT racing, steep elevation changes and a highly technical final sector
When was the track built?
Ningbo International Speedpark, also known as Ningbo International Circuit, was designed by Alan Wilson and built in the hills of Beilun District. The project took approximately a year and a half to complete.
The circuit officially opened in October 2017. Its first international event began immediately, introducing the new venue to teams and viewers through the World Touring Car Championship.
When was its first major race?
The first WTCC Race of China at Ningbo was held from 13 to 15 October 2017. Heavy rain made conditions extremely difficult throughout the weekend.
Esteban Guerrieri won the opening race, while Néstor Girolami took the main-race victory after the event was stopped because of the worsening weather.
What's the circuit like?
- Stop-and-go character: Long acceleration zones lead into slow corners, placing heavy demands on engines, brakes and traction.
- Hilly landscape: The circuit has approximately 24 m of elevation change, with crests and drops that can hide the next corner from the driver.
- Complex corner sequences: Several bends connect directly, so a poor line through one turn can affect a large part of the lap.
- Wide but technical: The asphalt varies from approximately 12 to 18 m wide, giving drivers several possible lines through some corners.
What layouts are available?
- Full Circuit: The complete 4.01 km course used for the largest national and international meetings.
- High-Speed Track: A 3.55 km configuration that removes part of the slower technical section.
- East Track: A 2.17 km layout suitable for smaller races, testing and driving activities.
- Mini East Track: A compact 1.74 km version for training and shorter sessions.
- West Track: A separate 1.87 km configuration containing several fast and medium-speed corners.
What races here?
- Touring cars: WTCC, WTCR, TCR China and Chinese national championships have produced close racing at Ningbo.
- GT and endurance cars: GT3, GT4 and production-based cars compete in sprint races and multi-hour events.
- Single-seaters: Formula 4 and Formula Regional cars use the circuit for races and driver development.
- Motorcycles: National competitions, festivals and rider-training events take place on selected layouts.
- Testing and track days: Manufacturers, racing teams and private drivers use the facility outside major meetings.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Formula Regional race lap: 1:40.798 - Jake Hughes in a Tatuus F3 T-318, October 2018.
- GT3 qualifying benchmark: 1:41.780 - Raffaele Marciello in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, October 2018.
- Formula 4 race lap: 1:45.920 - Zhang Shimo in a Mygale M21-F4, April 2025.
- WTCC race lap: 2:03.753 - Esteban Guerrieri in a Chevrolet Cruze, October 2017.
The WTCC benchmark was recorded in very wet conditions. Vehicle classes, weather and session types differ, so the times should not be compared directly.
Why go?
Ningbo combines modern facilities with a layout that follows the surrounding hills rather than crossing flat open land. This gives the circuit a distinctive appearance and allows spectators to see cars climbing, descending and changing direction.
Major meetings may include several championships, motorcycle displays, manufacturer exhibitions and paddock activities, making the venue approachable for visitors unfamiliar with one particular racing series.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main grandstand: Best for race starts, pit stops, grid activity and the chequered flag.
- Turn 1 area: Good for heavy braking, crowded opening laps and early overtaking attempts.
- Elevated middle section: Best for appreciating the circuit's hills and watching cars move through several connected corners.
- Tight final sector: Watch drivers brake, rapidly change direction and fight for traction before returning to the main straight.
- Paddock: Useful for viewing the cars, motorcycles and team preparation when public access is included.
Ningbo International Speedpark is at 99 Haici Road in Chunxiao, Beilun District. Driving is usually the simplest way to reach the circuit. Public transport normally requires a metro journey, a connecting bus and an approximately 1.5 km walk. Entrances, grandstands and paddock access vary between events.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Ningbo International Speedpark (China)
Ningbo International Speedpark, now generally known as Ningbo International Circuit, is in Chunxiao in Ningbo's Beilun District. Driving or taking a taxi is the easiest way to visit, but public transport is possible using Ningbo Metro Line 1 followed by a local bus and a short walk.
Driving to the circuit
Driving or using a taxi is the simplest way to reach Ningbo International Circuit, particularly for a large race meeting.
- Navigation: search for “Ningbo International Circuit” or “宁波国际赛道”.
- From central Ningbo: head east towards Beilun and then south towards Chunxiao.
- Parking entrances: the circuit lists entrances from Mingtai Avenue and Dianfeng Avenue.
- Event days: follow temporary signs because individual car parks and gates may use different approaches.
Save the official address as No. 99 Haici Road, Beilun District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
Metro & bus
The circuit provides an official public-transport route, although the journey takes longer than travelling by car.
- Take Metro Line 1 to Changjiang Road Station.
- Change to bus 721 or 790.
- Get off at Chunxiao Avenue / Haici Road.
- Walk approximately 1.5 km to the circuit.
For the return journey, check the last metro and bus times before racing begins, especially if your event finishes in the evening.
Coming by high-speed train
Ningbo Railway Station is the main high-speed rail gateway and provides connections with cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou and other parts of eastern China.
- From Ningbo Railway Station, take Metro Line 2.
- Change at Gulou Station onto Metro Line 1.
- Continue to Changjiang Road and then use bus 721 or 790 towards Chunxiao.
If several people are travelling together, taking a taxi directly from the railway station can be considerably simpler than making multiple public-transport changes.
Flying in
Ningbo Lishe International Airport (NGB) is the closest major airport and is roughly 60–65 km from the circuit.
- Taxi: the easiest direct option, particularly with luggage.
- Rental car: useful if you are comfortable driving in China and have the required licence arrangements.
- Public transport: Metro Line 2 connects the airport with central Ningbo.
- At Gulou: change to Line 1 towards Changjiang Road and continue using bus 721 or 790.
Allow plenty of time for the airport journey because the circuit is on the opposite side of the Ningbo metropolitan area.
Parking
The circuit has designated parking areas, with the official visitor guide identifying access from Mingtai Avenue and Dianfeng Avenue.
- Follow event signage: large race meetings can divide spectators between different parking areas.
- Arrive early: queues can form on the local roads around Chunxiao before major events.
- Check your ticket: VIP, paddock and general spectators may use different entrances.
- Do not rely on an old parking map: traffic arrangements can change between events.
Parking charges and exact spectator areas are event-specific, so check the information issued with your race ticket.
Where to stay
Where you stay depends on whether you want the shortest circuit journey or easier access to the rest of Ningbo.
- Chunxiao: closest to the circuit and useful for a multi-day motorsport event.
- Beilun: offers more hotels and restaurants while remaining much closer than central Ningbo.
- Central Ningbo: best for sightseeing and high-speed rail connections, but expect a much longer race-day journey.
For a full race weekend, staying in Beilun or Chunxiao can save a substantial amount of travelling each day.
Understanding the circuit
Ningbo is a modern, technical circuit built into a former quarry, giving it much more elevation change than its relatively compact layout might suggest.
- Opened: 2017.
- Full circuit: 4.01 km.
- Turns: 22.
- Direction: counter-clockwise.
- Elevation change: up to 24 metres.
- Other layouts: the venue can also operate shorter high-speed, east and west configurations.
Older international material may call the venue “Ningbo International Speedpark”, while its current official English branding is “Ningbo Int'l Circuit”. Both refer to the same facility.
Race-day tips
- Save the Chinese name: 宁波国际赛道 can be useful when showing the destination to a driver.
- Arrive early: the circuit is far from central Ningbo and major events can create local traffic.
- Prepare for walking: the public-transport route finishes around 1.5 km from the circuit.
- Prepare for heat: summer events in Ningbo can be hot and humid.
- Bring hearing protection: particularly for children and spectators close to the circuit.
- Save the address: No. 99 Haici Road, Beilun District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
For a first visit, staying in Beilun and taking a taxi to the circuit is the easiest plan. Without a car, use Metro Line 1 to Changjiang Road and continue on bus 721 or 790.
Parking areas, bus timetables, entrance gates and spectator arrangements can change between events. Check the official Ningbo International Circuit information and current Ningbo public-transport schedules before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Ningbo International Speedpark (Ningbo, China)
Ningbo International Speedpark - also known as Ningbo International Circuit - is a modern racing venue built into the hills of Beilun District. Its technical, undulating layout hosts cars and motorcycles, while lakes, temples, museums and Ningbo's historic centre give first-time visitors plenty to explore away from the track.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Dongqian Lake: One of Ningbo's best outdoor escapes, with lakeside scenery, walking and cycling areas and plenty of space for a quieter day away from the circuit.
- Zhou Yao Entomological Museum: A family-friendly museum displaying thousands of butterflies and insects, with exhibits designed to make the natural world easier to understand.
- Moon Lake: A peaceful historic lake in central Ningbo that is easy to combine with Tianyi Pavilion and the surrounding old city.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Tianyi Pavilion: Built around one of Asia's oldest surviving private libraries, this historic complex combines books, traditional architecture and gardens.
- Ningbo Museum: A striking modern museum introducing the city's history, culture and connection with the sea.
- Tiantong Temple: An important Chan Buddhist temple surrounded by forest east of Ningbo, with a history stretching back more than 1,700 years.
Eat & drink around Ningbo
- Seafood: Ningbo's coastal location means fish, crab and shellfish feature heavily in local cooking.
- Try Ningbo tangyuan: These soft glutinous-rice balls traditionally contain a sweet black-sesame filling and are one of the city's best-known snacks.
- Old Bund & central Ningbo: Head into the city for the widest choice of local restaurants, cafés and evening dining.
Get outdoors between race days
- Dongqian Lake: Spend a morning walking or cycling beside the water before returning to the circuit.
- Tiantong Forest: Combine woodland scenery with a visit to Tiantong Temple for a peaceful contrast to a noisy race weekend.
Ningbo summers can be very hot and humid, so water, sun protection and lighter clothing are useful during outdoor events.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Central Ningbo: Combine Tianyi Pavilion, Moon Lake, Ningbo Museum and the Old Bund for an easy city sightseeing day.
- Hemudu Site Museum: Discover an archaeological culture associated with some of China's earliest evidence of rice agriculture and life in the lower Yangtze region.
- Siming Mountains: Head inland for forest, tea-growing countryside and a cooler, greener side of the Ningbo region.
Good to know during race weekends
- The circuit has several layouts: The full course can be divided into shorter configurations, so check which track your event is using.
- It is more technical than the map suggests: Elevation changes and closely linked corners make Ningbo particularly demanding for drivers and riders.
- Motorcycle facilities are developing: FIM officials inspected the 3.55 km motorcycle configuration in August 2026 as the venue prepares for higher-level international events.
- Bring hearing protection: GT cars and motorcycles can be extremely loud from close spectator areas, particularly for children.
Race schedules, circuit configurations, spectator access, attraction opening hours and transport arrangements can change - check current information before travelling.