A bird's-eye view of Haohe River scenic area in Nantong [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Haohe River scenic area is an open park in the downtown area of Nantong city, East China's Jiangsu province.

Covering an area of 3.23 square kilometers, the park sit along the Haohe River, the city's moat with a history of more than 1,000 years. It is home to three well-preserved historic blocks, which still retain the layout and architectural style of ancient times.

A number of intangible cultural heritage sites featuring modern Chinese gardens are clustered along the river, including Tianning Temple, Wenfeng Pagoda and Nantong Bonsai Garden. 

Nantong has also made a name for itself as "a city of museums", with a full array of museums lining the river bank. 

Nantong Museum, which was founded by Zhang Jian, a famous local industrialist and renowned academic in 1905, was the first museum built by Chinese in the country.

Others such as China Abacus Museum, China Audit Museum, the Chinese Charity Museum, Nantong Textiles Museum, Nantong Urban Museum, Shen Shou Art Gallery and Nantong Blue Calico Museum, are free for visitors and showcase the cultural and industrial development of the city.

In recent years, the local government has rolled out a series of measures to improve the landscape along the river bank.

The layout of trees and flowers has been rearranged to form a picturesque scene, while paths linking all scenic spots and entertainment facilities in the area were built to bring more convenience to visitors.

"The combination of river, plants and ancient buildings makes me feel like I'm walking in a traditional Chinese painting," said a local named Xu Ying.