Holiday in Nantong

About Nantong

Nantong is located on the northern shore of the Yangtze River estuary in Jiangsu Province, opposite Shanghai, and is one of the few Chinese cities that lie both on the river and by the sea. The city is considered the cradle of Chinese modernity — the industrial pioneer Zhang Jian founded the first modern textile factory, the first museum, and the first teacher training institution in China here at the end of the 19th century. Langshan (Wolf Hill) is Nantong's most famous natural landmark: Although only 109 meters high, the hill, with its Buddhist temples, pagodas, and ancient trees, offers a spectacular view over the Yangtze estuary. The Guangjiao Temple at the summit dates back to the Tang Dynasty. The Nantong Museum, founded by Zhang Jian in 1905, was the first public museum in China. It houses archaeological finds, calligraphy, and artifacts from the region. The adjacent Zhang Jian Memorial Park honors the founder and his contributions to modernization. The Hao River Scenic Area is a picturesque waterway through the old town: Historical bridges, temples, and gardens line the river, which can be ideally explored by boat. In the evening, the promenade is atmospherically illuminated. Nantong's coast on the Yellow Sea offers extensive sandy beaches and the Rudong Nature Reserve, which serves as an important stopover for migratory birds on the East Asia-Australasia flyway. Birdwatchers from around the world come here to spot rare species such as the spoon-billed sandpiper.