Ningbo wood carving (Ningbo diaohua) is a distinctive regional craft with a history stretching back to the Song dynasty, specialising in dense, layered figural and decorative carving in camphor, cypress, and other local woods. The craft reached its peak during the Qing dynasty when wealthy Ningbo merchants commissioned elaborate carved altar pieces, furniture, building elements, and decorative screens of extraordinary technical virtuosity — the Qing'an Guildhall's carved stage facade being the most accessible example of the tradition at its peak.
A small cluster of workshops in the lanes near TianYi Pavilion continues the tradition, producing both reproduction pieces and original contemporary work. Several master carvers are willing to show their workshops to visitors and explain the techniques — the multi-layered deep relief carving method that distinguishes Ningbo work from the flatter styles of Zhejiang's other carving traditions. Small pieces suitable for travel purchase (incense boxes, tablet frames, small relief panels) can be bought direct from workshops at prices considerably below the retail antique market.