Nantong

Dubbed “China’s First Modern City,” Nantong is encircled by the Hao River like a jade necklace, home to Zhang Jian’s legacy and the Nantong Museum, Yangtze views from Langshan, Rugao’s Shuihui Garden and Qidong, where the river meets the sea.

Nantong sits in southeastern Jiangsu on the north bank of the Yangtze estuary — “where river meets sea, at the throat between north and south” — facing Shanghai and Suzhou across the water. Since the Shanghai–Suzhou–Nantong Yangtze River Bridge opened, Shanghai is about 1 hour away. Zhang Jian, the top imperial scholar of the late Qing, founded industries, schools and charities here, including China’s first public museum, the Nantong Museum, and its first normal school — which is why Nantong is called “China’s First Modern City.”

Main areas to explore: ① The Hao River ring — the national 5A-rated Hao River Scenic Area loops around the old town like a jade necklace, lined with the “Hao River Museum Cluster,” including the Nantong Museum and the Textile Museum. To the north, Si Street and Xinanying are the best-preserved historic quarters of the old town, while the Guangxiao Pagoda of Tianning Temple and Wenfeng Pagoda rise within the city. ② The Five Hills in the southern outskirts — Langshan, Junshan, Jianshan, Huangnishan and Ma’anshan stand along the river. Guangjiao Temple on Langshan is one of China’s Eight Lesser Buddhist Mountains, and the summit looks out over the broad Yangtze as it reaches the sea. Nearby Se Garden is Zhang Jian’s tomb park, and to the east the Zilang Lake area is home to the new town and the Nantong Grand Theatre. ③ Tangzha in the northwest — an old town formed by modern industrial heritage such as the Dasheng Cotton Mill. ④ Rugao — a famed “land of longevity,” whose Shuihui Garden is a renowned Ming–Qing garden and the setting of the story of Mao Pijiang and Dong Xiaowan. ⑤ Haimen, Qidong and Rudong — Zhang Jian’s hometown of Changle, Yudong Ancient Town, Lüsi Fishing Port and Yuantuo Point, where “the first ray of sunlight over the meeting of river and sea” appears; ideal for a day’s road trip.

The climate is subtropical monsoon with four distinct seasons. April–May brings flowers along the Hao River, and September–November offers crisp autumn weather and the best river and sea food — the ideal times to visit. Summers are hot and humid, with the plum rains (mid/late June to early July) bringing frequent showers. Nantong West and Nantong stations have high-speed trains to Shanghai, Nanjing and Yancheng, and the city has a metro. Plan 2–3 days: 1 day for the Hao River and museums, 1 day for Langshan and Tangzha, plus 1 more for Rugao or Qidong. Food highlights include clam cakes, Xiting crisp cakes, Baipu dried tofu and fresh river fish and seafood.

Top sights

Where to eat