Nantong 3 Days 2 Nights Complete Guide

Here is a comprehensive guide to traveling in Nantong, combining attractions, food, transportation, and itinerary planning to help you efficiently explore this "Pearl of Rivers and Seas": ------ 📅 **Itinerary Planning (Classic 3 Days 2 Nights Route)** • Day 1: Culture, History, and Hao River Scenery ◦ Morning: Visit Langshan National Forest Park (hike to the summit for a view of the Yangtze River, visit Guangjiao Temple and Luobinwang’s Tomb), ticket 50 RMB. ◦ Afternoon: Explore Nantong Museum (China’s first public museum, home to Zhang Jian’s former residence Haonan Bieye), free admission. ◦ Evening to Night: Take a boat for a night tour of Hao River (connecting the Abacus Museum, Blue Calico Museum, etc.), enjoy the illuminated night scenery and the water museum cluster. • Day 2: River-Sea Nature and Industrial Heritage ◦ Morning: Drive to Qidong Golden Beach (watch the sunrise at the Yangtze River estuary, experience shell collecting and beach off-roading), ticket 30 RMB. ◦ Afternoon: Visit Tangzha Ancient Town (China’s first modern industrial heritage town, site of Dasheng Spinning Mill), take Metro Line 1 to Tangzha Park Station. ◦ Evening: Taste seafood at Lüsi Port (select fresh swimming crabs and yellow croaker at Yinggang Market, nearby restaurants offer cooking services). • Day 3: Garden Art and Food Exploration ◦ Morning: Stroll through Rugao Shuihui Garden (retreat of late Ming scholar Mao Bijiang, a model of Jiangnan gardens), free with reservation. ◦ Afternoon: Visit Yuxi Ancient Town (stone-paved streets and Ming-Qing architecture) or Nantong Intercontinental Green Expo Garden (top ten themed botanical gardens), ticket 80 RMB. ◦ Before departure: Check out Youth Middle Road Food Street (clam cakes, sweet and sour yellow croaker, chive pockets). ------ 🌄 Must-Visit Attractions Recommended 1. Natural Scenery ◦ Langshan National Forest Park: Five mountains by the river, famous Buddhist mountain, forest coverage over 80%. ◦ Golden Beach Wetland Park: Sunrise spot at the confluence of three waters, golden beach shell collecting, wetland science education. ◦ Liyashan National Marine Park: Rare oyster reef ecological island, tide hunting and fresh seafood. 2. Culture and History ◦ Hao River Scenic Area (AAAAA rating): Millennium-old moat, riverside museum cluster (Abacus Museum houses an 8-meter rosewood abacus). ◦ Zhang Jian Theme Route: Tangzha Ancient Town + Nantong Museum + Haimen Zhang Jian Memorial Hall, tracing modern industrial footprints. ◦ Red 14th Army Memorial Hall: Rugao’s red landmark, multimedia restoration of revolutionary history. 3. Family Leisure ◦ Nantong Forest Wildlife Zoo: Drive-through area for close feeding of wild beasts, international circus performances. ◦ Bihai Yinsha Two-Color Sea (Qidong): Artificial white sand beach, water sports and children’s playground. ◦ Zilang Park: Modern cultural landmark (Nantong Grand Theatre, Art Museum). ------ 🍽️ Featured Food Recommendations • River-Sea Fresh Seafood Highlights ◦ The World’s Freshest: Clams (teppanyaki clams, clam cakes). ◦ Sweet and Sour Yellow Croaker: Prepared with Lüsi Port’s large yellow croaker, crispy, sweet, and tender. ◦ Haimen Mutton Soup: Castrated goat meat, fresh and tender without gamey taste, warming and nourishing. • Intangible Cultural Heritage Snacks and Local Dishes ◦ Jin Qian Radish Cake: Crispy crust wrapped around shredded radish filling, selected as a "Chinese Snack". ◦ Rugao Dong Meat (Tiger Skin Pork): Fatty but not greasy, a 300-year-old tradition. ◦ Qidong Rolled Pancake: Thin pancake rolled with fresh vegetables, a summer home-style flavor. • Food Gathering Spots ◦ Youth Middle Road Food Street: Wenfeng Shuangzhu, Xiao Shaoxing Chicken Shop. ◦ Lüsi Yinggang Market: Fresh seafood caught and cooked on site, about 100 RMB per person for tasting. ------ ⚠️ Travel Tips 1. Transportation ◦ High-speed trains directly reach Nantong Station/West Station; Metro Line 1 connects major attractions (Tangzha Ancient Town, Hao River, Langshan). ◦ Self-driving is more convenient: county-level attractions like Qidong Golden Beach and Rugao Shuihui Garden are scattered. 2. Accommodation ◦ City center preferred near Hao River or Langshan (Jihua Garden Hotel, Zilang Villa). ◦ Family-friendly recommendation: Qidong Evergrande Venice on the Sea (next to Bihai Yinsha, includes water park). 3. Best Seasons ◦ Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November): pleasant climate, avoid summer heat and winter cold. ◦ Summer offers experience of Xiaoyangkou Sea Disco (clam stepping on tidal flats). 4. Ticket Discounts ◦ Free admission for seniors over 60 and children under 1.4 meters at many attractions (Langshan, Green Expo Garden, etc.), half price with student ID. ------ 💎 In-Depth Experience Suggestions: • Intangible Cultural Heritage Handcraft: Experience dyeing at the Blue Calico Museum, listen to Mei’an Qin School guqin by the Hao River. • Nightlife: Hao River boat tour with light show, Zilang Lake Park drone show (on holidays). Nantong is transforming from a "tourism desert" into a rising destination in the Yangtze River Delta, receiving over 40 million visitors in the first half of 2025. This guide balances classic and niche spots to help you feel the millennium pulse of river and sea culture!