Preface
Is there a city where you can climb mountains and enjoy the view of sea and river? Not only get close to cute animals, but also visit different museums to gain knowledge & broaden your horizons?Now comes the chance, there is such a city: Nantong, located in the east of Jiangsu Province,China.
Langshan Mountain
When you get to Nantong, you must visit Nantong Langshan National Forest Park. “Langshan” literally means Wolf Mountain, it is said that a white wolf used to haunt in this mountain, and the mountain is shaped like a Wolf. In Nantong, during Festivals, people climb up the mountain praying for good luck and longevity.
The Haohe River
After climbing the mountain you can visit the ancient moat river of Nantong- the Haohe River, which has the reputation of “jade necklace around the girl’s neck”.If you visit the Haohe River in spring, you can enjoy the willow catkins floating green, peach blosssom bright red; in summer, you can play in the water and catch fish; in autumn, you can taste excellent wine and appreciate the moon in the roundest shape; and in winter, you will see that the river is covered with snow and thin ice, and enjoy the plum blossom blommed. In the evening, boating on Hao River is a different style, the hustle and bustle of the city is blocked away from the willows on the waterfront, and the traditional buildings that look olde-worlde and the modern buildings with unique shapes are illuminated by the glittering colorful lights.
Shuihui Garden
The harmony and elegance of the Chinese garden is epitomised in Shuihui Garden, built at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It’s said courtesan and poet Dong Xiaowan used to wander among the peaceful bamboo groves, pagodas, bonsai gardens and lakes with the scholar Mao Pijiang.The couple lived here, discussing poetry and philosophy, until her death around age 26 in 1651.
Museums
There are 14 museums of different themes, scattered around Hao River: the China Abacus Museum, the China Audit Museum,the Blue Calico Museum,etc. Among them, Nantong Museum ranks first, the founder of this museum–Zhangjian, is a patriotic industrialist in Modern China, with his efforts, Nantong was built as “the First City in Modern China”. You can learn the history and local conditions of Nantong, experience the profound Chinese traditional culture, and feel the divisified integration of tradition and modernity.
The Nantong Grand Theater, which was completed in 2021, has become a new cultural landmark in Nantong; Here, your mind can connect with bands, performers and musicians from all over the world and enjoy a musical feast. The Art Museum in Nantong can let you learn about the contemporary art works, or you can bring your children to cultivate aesthetic ability.
Wonderful Life in Nantong
The ultimate attraction to this city is not only the scenery, but the city’s food as well. In Nantong, you will have the opportunity to taste different varieties of sea food and aquatic from the river and the lake. In addition, Nantong is also the capital of leisure life and a hometown of longevity. If you are exhausted from the long journey, you can go to Rudong, which is known for its geothermal resources, to soak in the hot spring and give your body a deep spa.
Nantong is also a city with unique originality, there are many kinds of intangible cultural heritage and local traditional arts here: Chinese zither, blue printed cloth,imitation embroidery, red wood carving,string puppets, acrobatics,etc.Some crafts courses also offer training courses to the public, if you are interested, you may as well learn something, and you will have the opportunity to show off and become a “redskin” or “internet celebrity” after you go back.
Pingyuanchi
Little boats resembling tiny floating pagodas travel the waters of Pingyuanchi, a village famous for growing lotus flowers. Located in northern Rugao, Pingyuanchi has 80 hectares of lakes and ponds where lotus bloom as far as the eye can see. The Pingyuanchi Lotus Festival is held in June each year, when the pretty flower puts on its summertime show.
Soak in a hot spring
Nantong’s natural thermal pools are just the ticket for some indulgent winter wellness. The mineral-rich waters of the hot springs at the Links Golf & Spa Hotel were discovered in 2013 when the owners drilled for water to irrigate their course. The resulting liquid gold now means there’s a wonderland of hot pools on offer, both indoors and out, as well as spa treatments making the most of the water’s restorative properties.
Sundi Tribe Treehouse Hotel
Nantong is a city that can bring you happiness, where you can not only enjoy delicious food, but also experience hotels with different architectural characteristics. There is a social media influencer hotel within the Forest Wildlife Park in Nantong–the Sundi Tribe Treehouse Hotel, when you check into it and get up in the morning, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that the red panda is offering morning-call service at your window!
In conclusion, Nantong is a place where you don’t want to leave and you still want to come. Only when you come here in person can you appreciate the beauty and feel the charm of this city!
