Jiangsu Tourism | Nantong City Exploration - From Nantong Bell Tower to Wenfeng Pagoda

Adjacent to Shanghai, Nantong is contemporary yet unassuming, quite unassuming. Among the 'Thirteen Great Guardians of Jiangsu,' Suzhou is the facade, Nanjing is the deep residence, and Nantong doesn't even touch the edge of Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou. However, in the century of modern history where China transitioned from its past to the future, Nantong is an extremely rare urban sample: a city where the last scholar-official almost single-handedly brought his hometown from obscurity to prominence in the annals of history. Only after exploring Nantong does one understand why it is truly deserving of the title 'China's First Modern City.' Nantong Bell Tower The bell tower and Qiaolou have always been the center of Nantong city. Qiaolou, also known as Xingshu Lou, was initially built in the ninth year of the Yuan Dynasty's Zhiyuan era (1349 AD) and rebuilt in the third year of the Ming Dynasty's Hongwu era (1370 AD). It is a five-bay lifting beam style building with a resting mountain nine-ridge top, solemn and rustic. Under the advocacy of Zhang Jian, the famous architect Sun Zhixia designed the bell tower, which was built in 1914. The bell tower imitates the style of classical Western architecture and is equipped with a giant clock reflecting new technological achievements. It uses new metal materials to make the spire, which is of typical significance in the history of modern Chinese architecture. Nantong Confucian Temple The Dacheng Hall was rebuilt in the fourth year of the Yuan Dynasty's Zhiyuan era (1344 AD). It was repaired multiple times during the Qing Dynasty and is a double-eaved Wu-style building. Chengnan Villa - Zhang Jian's Former Residence Built in 1902, it was the former residence of Zhang Jian's brother, Zhang Qi. The building is a two-story brick and wood structure in European style, with a blend of Chinese and Western styles. Nantong Wenfeng Pagoda Built in the forty-sixth year of the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era (1618 AD), the pagoda is 39 meters high and is the tallest of the three pagodas in Nantong. 🎫Tickets: All attractions mentioned are free of charge 🚄Transport: Take the high-speed train to 'Nantong West Station,' then transfer to Metro Line 1 and get off at 'Friendship Bridge' station. Shared bicycles can be used to travel between attractions.