A statue of Zhang Jian. [Photo provided to nantong.gov.cn]

Editor's note: Eight themed travel routes in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, were unveiled at the Nantong "Hao Tong You" cultural and tourism consumption promotion season on May 19 to mark the 12th China Tourism Day.

Born in Nantong, Zhang Jian (1853-1926) was a renowned industrial magnate, educator, and scholar who devoted his life to developing industry, education and social welfare in his hometown.

The following three routes center around Zhang Jian culture, Zhang's entrepreneurial spirit, and patriotism education, respectively.

Zhang Jian culture route:

Day one: Langshan National Forest Park – Binjiang area of Five Mountain area – Nantong Museum – Haohe scenic area

Day two: Ancient Tangzha town – Zhang Jian Memorial Hall – Yisheng Cultural Park – Tonghai Kenmu Co

Zhang's entrepreneurial spirit route:

Day one: Binjiang area of Five Mountain area – Nantong Innovation Zone – Nantong Museum – Haohe scenic area

Day two: Ancient Tangzha town – Chinese Charity Museum

Patriotism education route:

Day one: Junshan Mountain scenic area – Binjiang area of Five Mountain area – Green Valley City – Ancient Tangzha town

Day two: Nantong Museum – Chinese Abacus Museum – Chinese Charity Museum

Further reading:

Zhang established the Nantong Museum, which is renowned as the first public museum in China, in 1900. The museum was originally a public botanical garden with more than 300 varieties of plants and flowers, about one third of which were medicinal and edible.

Tangzha is reputed as the first town of the industrial remains of modern China by academician Wu Liangyong, as it is home to numerous industrial remains, including China's first cotton-spinning company Dasheng Cotton Mill built by Zhang 100 years ago.