I've been to Nantong 5 times, and here is a route I've put together.
In April, Nantong is full of spring, with the charm of the river and sea. If you are visiting for the first time, focus on these highlights to experience the Nantong style in depth. Before departure, make sure you are well prepared.
Important Pre-Trip Preparation Tips
✅Pay attention to the weather: The temperature in Nantong in April is gradually warming up but changeable. It is still cool in the morning and evening. Prepare a light jacket, which is convenient to take off when you are hot during the day and keep warm in the morning and evening. You also need to bring rain gear, as spring rain often comes unexpectedly.
✅Clothing and equipment: Prepare comfortable casual wear for easy walking. Wear sneakers to Langshan for a spring outing; if you are going to the riverside, windproof clothing is essential, as the river wind is quite "strong".
✅Documents and items: Be sure to bring your ID card, and don't forget preferential documents such as a student ID, which can save you money when buying tickets for scenic spots. Keep your mobile phone charging bank handy. There are many beautiful sceneries along the way. Taking photos and navigation consume power quickly, so you must keep the power sufficient.
A Guide to Staggered Peak Travel: Niche Gameplay
⏰Langshan: Enter the park before 8 am. While there are few people, go up the mountain road, breathe fresh air, listen to the morning bell and evening drum, and overlook the Yangtze River and the city scenery. After 4 pm, the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the ancient buildings and mountains and forests. The light and shadow are charming and the photos are beautiful, and you can also avoid the peak of people.
⏰Nantong Museum: Avoid the crowded hours of 10 am to 2 pm on weekends and go on a working day afternoon. Slowly admire Mr. Zhang Jian's rich collection, feel the historical heritage of Nantong, stroll in the garden in the museum, and find a quiet corner to enjoy the flowers.
⏰Tangzha Ancient Town: Around 7 am in the morning, the ancient town has just woken up. Walk along the ancient canal, see the old factories and ancient residences, and feel the blend of industrial heritage and the charm of the water town. When there are more people at noon, go to the small shops on the street to taste the ancient town's delicacies and experience the authentic life.
⏰Qidong Evergrande Venice: Arrive before 10 am, first go to the beach for a walk, and enjoy the sun, beach and sea. After 3 pm, swim in the infinity pool. The light is soft, and the photos are super beautiful with the blue sea and sky as the background, and you can avoid tourist groups.
Food Exploration Guide
⚠️Nantong clam cake must be eaten: Wenfeng Restaurant's clam cake is a must. Fresh clam meat is made into a cake and fried until golden brown. The outer skin is crispy and the inside is juicy. One bite is full of the taste of the sea.
⚠️Don't miss the Gangpian: There are street breakfast stalls. It looks like a sesame seed cake. The outer skin is crispy and the inside contains green onions, salt, etc. One bite is full of aroma, which is super satisfying with soy milk.
⚠️Explore special snacks: There are many traditional snacks near Temple Street. Rugao Dongtang is sweet but not greasy and melts in your mouth. It is said to have been made by Dong Xiaowan, the beloved concubine of Mao Pijiang; there is also Shigang Yincake, which is white, soft, glutinous and sweet, with a strong rice aroma.
Photo Check-in Guide
🔺Langshan: In front of Guangjiao Temple, take photos of Zen ancient style with the ancient temple architecture and green mountains as the background, plain ancient costumes and rosary beads; on the top of Langshan, overlook the Yangtze River and open your arms, take a full-body photo with the river view as the background, showing boldness.
🔺Nantong Museum: In front of Zhang Jian's former residence, take a photo of humanities with retro costumes and books, with the ancient buildings as the background, full of bookishness; in the museum's garden, squat down surrounded by flowers, and take a close-up portrait with the flowers as the background, which is beautiful and romantic.
🔺Tangzha Ancient Town: In front of the old factory building of Dasheng Yarn Factory, take industrial-style blockbusters with overalls and mottled walls and rusty machines; on the Yunhe Bridge, take photos of the gentle water town with ancient costumes and oiled paper umbrellas, with the ancient canal and ancient buildings as the background.
🔺Qidong Evergrande Venice: On the beach, take photos of the holiday style with bikinis or beachwear, blue sea and sky, and colorful parasols; by the infinity pool, lie on the edge of the pool and take a silhouette with the sea as the background, which is full of atmosphere.
Warm Tips from Locals
▪️To take the Nantong bus, download the "Nantong Bus" APP in advance, scan the code to take the bus, view real-time information, and plan your travel time.
▪️Pay attention to safety when going to Langshan and other scenic spots. Some sections of the mountain are steep. Don't play around.
▪️Don't go to the high-priced stores around the scenic spots to buy local products. Go to Duanping Bridge Farmers Market. Nantong clams, Rugao dried meat floss and other authentic and affordable products can be compared among three stores.
▪️Most Nantong people are warm and hospitable. The dialect has an accent but is not difficult to understand. They will patiently give directions when asked. If you don't understand, ask a few more times.
Itinerary: Nantong Classic Four-Day Tour
D1: Nantong Station - Nantong Museum - Temple Street
Arrive at Nantong Station in the morning, take a bus or subway to the museum to learn about the history, have lunch nearby at noon, visit Temple Street to taste snacks in the afternoon, and enjoy the night view in the evening.
D2: Langshan - Binjiang Park
Go to Langshan in the morning to climb the mountain and enjoy the scenery, feel the natural and religious culture, have lunch at noon, go to Binjiang Park to see the scenery of the Yangtze River in the afternoon, and return to the city for accommodation in the evening.
D3: Tangzha Ancient Town - Nantong 1895 Cultural and Creative Industrial Park
Go to Tangzha Ancient Town in the morning to experience the customs and taste the food, go to the industrial park in the afternoon to feel the creative transformation of industrial heritage, and stay near Tangzha in the evening.
D4: Qidong Evergrande Venice - Nantong Station
Go to enjoy a seaside vacation in the morning, have lunch and pack your luggage, take a bus or subway to Nantong Station, and return with good memories.
My friends, follow this guide to start your Nantong trip in April, and I guarantee you will have fun in Nantong and leave unforgettable memories!