Nantong

The landmass of Nantong is a geologically recent formation, created over centuries by alluvial accretion at the mouth of the Yangtze River. The territory emerged from a landscape of coastal shoals, and its coastline progressively expanded southeastward as the river's main channel shifted. This process was highly unstable; the area of modern Haimen was submerged for extended periods before re-emerging from the water. The region's present landform did not fully stabilize until the late 19th century. By the 9th century, Langshan—then an offshore island—had emerged as a strategic military outpost along the lower Yangtze River. In 875, a mutiny was launched there by Wang Ying, a junior officer under the Zhenhai Military Governor. His forces rapidly grew to about 10,000 men, who used ships to raid southeastern coastal regions. …

Located in central Jiangsu province, Nantong occupies the northern bank of the Yangtze River estuary, bordered by the Yellow Sea to the east and the Yangtze River to the south. The region's geomorphology consists primarily of alluvial deposits and forms a significant part of the Yangtze River Delta plain. Apart from isolated bedrock outcrops such as Langshan Hill, the terrain is predominantly flat. The historical formation of the area is characterized by extensive deltaic accretion and the development of sandbanks. The southeastern territories, including Haimen and Qidong, were incorporated into the landmass around the 19th century. The hydrological network is dense, belonging to the Yangtze and Huai River systems. While terrestrial mineral resources are limited, the municipality possesses an extensive coastline and substantial intertidal mudflats. …

Xuanmiao Temple, structure built during the Song era. Nantong Museum

Nantong was historically known as an agricultural area and a traditional site for salt-making. Its principal agricultural products include cotton, silk, rice, wheat, fishing, fruits, rice wine, and more. Currently, the city is making efforts to upgrade its farming sectors and increase production of organic foods. Nantong is one of the 14 port cities opened to foreign investment projects under China's current policies of modernization. Nantong was traditionally an industrial city, especially around the turn of the 20th century, specializing in salt and cotton textile production. Today's industrial corporations have made Nantong into an industrial hub since it opened its door to the outside world in the 1990s. With its excellent geographic location and the completion of two Yangtze River bridges, the prefecture is attracting more investment funding nationwide. …

The Hao River, known as the Emerald Necklace of Nantong, surrounds the city with a total length of 15 km (9.3 mi). Most city scenery lines this river. Popular tourist sites include Langshan ("Wolf Hill"), which is around 110 meters high. On top of the hill is a Buddhist temple dedicated to a Song dynasty monk. Because of the monk's legendary powers over water demons, sailors pray to him for protection on their voyages. The Cao Gong Zhu Memorial Temple commemorates a local hero who defended the city against Japanese pirates in 1557. Shuihuiyuan Garden, meaning Water Garden, is unique of all Chinese classical gardens due its creation in the Hui style. …

Nantong Xingdong International Airport, located in the town of Xingdong in Tongzhou District, 9.8 kilometers northeast of city center and 120 kilometers from Shanghai, serves Nantong and its neighboring areas. The construction of terminal 2 was completed in 2014, marking an important step towards serving international flights, the first of which took place on 26 May 2023, to Hong Kong. Nantong has two bridges across the Yangtze to the south. The Chongming–Qidong Yangtze River Bridge, completed in 2011, carries the G40 Shanghai–Xi'an Expressway from Qidong to Chongming Island. The Sutong Yangtze River Bridge, which carries the G15 Shenyang–Haikou Expressway from Nantong to Changshu, was completed in 2008 and is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world. …