I didn't expect you to be such a fun travel desert

Because of a zoo, I came to a lesser-known city—Nantong. Unexpectedly, I found it very suitable for CITY WALK. Nantong's urban area is very small. Staying in the city center, taking a taxi to nearby attractions usually costs around 10 yuan, rarely exceeding 20 yuan. Nantong tourism focuses on having fewer crowds but not feeling deserted. This kind of experience is the most comfortable. In four days and three nights, we visited Nantong Museum, the first public museum founded by Chinese people themselves. Right outside the museum is Yixiao Alley, which is just a bit longer than a carrying pole, but both sides are filled with artistic small shops. The alley is only about a hundred meters long, with a coffee shop every two steps ☕️☕️. Hao River is Nantong’s moat. You can take a 60-yuan boat ride around it with a guide, or stroll along the river like a local. Other people’s rivers and waterways are just more suitable for night tours than your own. What I recommend everywhere is For 10 yuan, you can take a ferry from Nantong to the opposite Zhangjiagang, then take it back, crossing the Yangtze River twice, gifting you a sunset on the Yangtze and a Yangtze night view. On the way there, it’s golden yellow; on the way back, it turns into a sophisticated and mysterious deep blue. With such cost performance, who else can compare? You can also go to Langshan Mountain, which is full of temples and shrines, a mini version of Wutai Mountain. Climbing to the 100-meter-high summit, you can overlook the Yangtze River with many ships passing by. A Didi driver recommended I go to Rugao City, south of Nantong, for morning tea. I was curious about what Nantong’s morning tea is like, but due to the itinerary, I didn’t go. Instead, I went to Nantong locals’ favorite Nanhetong food stalls and Siyigao Tuan shop, both quite delicious. [The Main Event] The purpose of this trip—Nantong Forest Wildlife Zoo. This place is truly a paradise for animal lovers. I dare say this zoo is the top among Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai zoos, much more cost-effective than going to Chimelong from here. In other zoos, you can only observe animals from afar, but here you can bring your own vegetables and fruits, feed them, and even touch them. But it’s recommended to ask the keepers what is suitable to feed and where to touch. Just thinking about saving the round-trip airfare to Guangzhou makes spending money in Nantong feel much more generous, hahaha. At night, I chose to stay at the hotel inside the zoo. I bought a 15-pound fruit and vegetable gift pack from the hotel for 40 yuan, which is really not expensive. Then I rented a 8 KM/h electric cart and slowly drove around. Little animals would come to ask for a toll, and you feed and pet them all the way, happily paying the toll. In the morning and afternoon, there’s a red panda room inspection interaction program. It’s been so hot lately that the red pandas are almost overheated. When they enter the room, they first enjoy some air conditioning before wandering around to see if you have any treats. I unilaterally declare that red pandas are the cutest animals, bar none. Finally, when asked what specialties Nantong has, local netizens said exam papers, so forget it, I won’t bring any specialties.