Nantong: Discover River History and Culture

In the wider region, Nantong brings together water-based experiences, industrial history, and specialized museums. The Haohe River offers a distinctive blend of the history of a city moat and nighttime displays; cultural sites range from historical relics to collections focused on the abacus. You can shape your trip around the themes that interest you most.

Haohe River: City History and Light Displays

The Haohe River is 10 kilometers long and was originally built as a moat surrounding the city. It is regarded as the best-preserved ancient city moat in the country and is classified as a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Its history as part of the city’s fortifications gives the waterway a different significance from a river viewed solely as a landscape feature.

A ride on a traditional boat takes you through the live performance “Haohe River Night Painting.” Light and shadow play across the water and historic architecture. The focus is therefore on the nighttime scenery and the interplay between the river and the buildings. For specific planning, it is worth checking the current sailing times.

In June 2026, water supercars, water cycling, and stand-up paddleboarding were offered as leisure activities on the Haohe River. These activities offer a different focus from the traditional boat ride: while the show brings together light, water, and architecture, the leisure activities focus on being out on the water. As availability may change, check in advance whether your preferred activity is offered on your chosen date.

Industrial History, Art, and Collections

Tangzha Ancient Town preserves numerous relics of Nantong’s modern national industry. The Nantong Museum was among the first national first-class museums. These two topics offer different ways to explore cultural history: one focuses on industrial relics, the other on the history of a museum with a special national classification.

On the shore of Zilang Lake, the Nantong Art Museum is right next to the Nantong Grand Theater. This location connects the museum with the lakeshore and the theater. In terms of what to explore, this is a different theme from Tangzha’s industrial history or collections of historical everyday objects.

The China Abacus Museum houses more than 4,000 abacus-related books and historical records, as well as over 2,000 abacus instruments; the collections may change over time. The exhibition halls are devoted to the development, history, and culture of the abacus, as well as to physical abacus objects. There is also an interactive hall and a temporary exhibition hall. Programs in the interactive hall introduce visitors to the abacus; for specific dates, it is best to check the current program.

Historic Architecture and Seasonal Experiences

Xisi Temple contains architectural remains from the Song dynasty (960–1279). Seasonal activities at the temple include tea ceremonies, incense ceremonies, and rubbings. The historic architecture and seasonally themed activities offer two different reasons to explore the site. If one of these experiences is important to your plans, check the relevant dates before your visit.

When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to first decide what your trip will focus on: is it mainly the displays on the Haohe River, industrial history, or museums and collections? Then compare the accommodation’s exact location with the places you actually plan to visit. This way, your search reflects the experiences you have planned, without needing to combine a river cruise, cultural sites, and accommodation into a single itinerary.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Lianyungang, Suzhou, Wuxi, Yangzhou, Huai'an, Kunshan, Yancheng, Xuzhou.

For the broader travel overview: Jiangsu.