River Heritage & Modern Origins
Nantong, located at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the East China Sea, is officially recognized as a historic and cultural city in China’s Jiangnan region. According to Nantong Municipal Government tourism guidance, the city’s most representative one-day route combines its natural water system heritage with modern cultural origins. This itinerary focuses on two core attractions—Haohe Scenic Area and Nantong Museum—offering visitors a compact but comprehensive experience of the city’s history, landscape, and cultural development.
Haohe Scenic Area – The “Green Necklace” of Nantong
Haohe Scenic Area is a nationally recognized 5A-level tourist attraction and one of the best-preserved ancient urban moat systems in China. Official tourism materials describe it as a “gourd-shaped water system” encircling the old city, forming a unique landscape where water and urban life are closely integrated.
The scenic area features a combination of ancient landmarks and modern public spaces, including Wenfeng Tower, Tianning Temple, historical bridges, and waterfront gardens. Visitors can explore the area by walking or taking a river cruise, experiencing the harmony between historical architecture and natural waterways that has shaped Nantong’s urban identity for centuries.
Nantong Museum – The First Public Museum in China
Nantong Museum, founded in 1905 by Zhang Jian, is officially recognized in museum authority records as the first public museum in China. It represents a milestone in the development of modern Chinese cultural institutions and reflects Zhang Jian’s philosophy of integrating education, industry, and public enlightenment.
The museum complex is designed in a traditional garden style, combining exhibition halls, courtyards, and natural landscapes. Its collections include archaeological relics, calligraphy, paintings, natural history specimens, and materials related to Nantong’s early industrial development. Today, it serves as a key cultural landmark showcasing the origins of modern civic education and museum culture in China.
