Nantong · 南通
Nantong, at the mouth of the Yangtze facing Shanghai, is "the cradle of China's modern textile industry": the country's first major modern textile factory was founded here in 1895, and today it remains one of the largest textile and textile machinery export bases.
City map
What to see
Nantong Textile Museum
China's first textile museum (1985), with six halls dedicated to the city's textile tradition
Langshan (Wolf Mountain)
Hill by the Yangtze with a Buddhist temple, very popular among sailors who prayed for a safe crossing
Nantong Overseas Chinese Museum
The only museum dedicated to the Chinese diaspora in the entire Yangtze Delta region
Getting around
Nantong Xingdong Airport (NTG) is about 10-13 km from downtown, with mostly domestic flights and a few international routes (Taipei, Seoul, Osaka, Bangkok). The most practical option if coming from abroad is to fly to Shanghai (Pudong or Hongqiao) and continue by high-speed rail: since July 2020 there's a direct Shanghai-Nantong connection via the Hutong Yangtze River Bridge, with journeys from 66 minutes. The city has its own metro (Line 1, opened in 2022).
In mainland China, Google, Gmail, WhatsApp and Instagram aren't accessible without a VPN arranged before you travel (it can't be installed once you've arrived). Hong Kong doesn't have this restriction.
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Frequently asked questions about Nantong
When is the best time to visit Nantong?
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), with mild weather. The textile machinery fair takes place in April, with good weather.
Do I need a visa to visit Nantong?
Always check the current visa policy for your nationality before traveling: China has expanded short-stay visa exemptions to several European nationalities in recent years, but the conditions change frequently. For longer stays or multiple entries, consider arranging a business (M) visa in advance.
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