Nantong
A modern-era city where the Yangtze meets the sea, with the Haohe moat circling its old town and a rich legacy left by Zhang Jian.
Nantong lies in southeastern Jiangsu on the north bank of the Yangtze estuary, facing Shanghai and Suzhou across the river. The Haohe moat rings the old town with scenic waterways; the Nantong Museum, founded by Zhang Jian, is regarded as one of China's earliest public museums; and Langshan Hill rises beside the river with views over the Yangtze. Traditional crafts such as blue-printed cloth and the local river-and-sea cuisine add to the city's character. Spring and autumn are the best seasons. Nantong Xingdong International Airport serves the city, and since the Shanghai–Suzhou–Nantong Yangtze River Rail-Road Bridge opened, train travel to Shanghai has become much more convenient.