Nantong Haohe Scenic Area, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, attracts numerous visitors with its unique moat landscape and rich historical and cultural heritage. While it boasts high tourist value, it also has areas for improvement in management and development. The following are specific reviews:
Advantages
- Rich Historical and Cultural Heritage: The Haohe River is one of the best-preserved ancient moats in China. Historical records indicate that the river formed as soon as the city was built in the fifth year of Xiande in the Later Zhou Dynasty, marking a history spanning over a thousand years. Numerous historical and cultural relics are dotted along its banks, including the Guangxiao Pagoda from the Tang Dynasty, the Wenfeng Pagoda from the Ming Dynasty, and the Nantong Museum, China's first public museum, founded by Zhang Jian. These form a large-scale museum complex surrounding the Haohe River, showcasing Nantong's rich heritage.
- Beautiful Natural Scenery: The Haohe River, with a total length of 10 kilometers and a surface area of 1,040 mu (approximately 1,040 mu), winds and curves like an inverted gourd, encircling the old city. This unique characteristic of "water embracing the city, the city embracing the water, and the city and water becoming one" has earned it the nickname "Jiangcheng Jade Necklace." The riverbanks are lined with natural green spaces, dotted with pavilions, bridges, and terraces. The scenery changes with each season, from drooping willows in spring to lush lotus leaves in summer, creating a picturesque scene.
- Diverse Ways to Visit: The scenic area is free and open to the public. Visitors can stroll along the waterfront promenade to admire the scenery up close, take a boat tour to experience the dynamic Hao River from the water, or even choose a four-seater boat for a more engaging "self-driving" experience. Furthermore, the Hao River is illuminated at night, creating a captivating spectacle, making it a perfect choice for a nighttime tour of Nantong.
- Comprehensive Facilities: The scenic area features a visitor center offering luggage storage, phone charging, and multiple restrooms and a convenience store. Wi-Fi is also available throughout the area. Visitors can rent a guide or take a guided boat tour to gain a deeper understanding of the area's history and culture.
Disadvantages
- Management loopholes: The scenic area is open and nestled within the old city, making it challenging to manage. Uncivilized behavior exists, such as some residents swimming in the Hao River and walking their dogs without leashes. These practices not only affect the scenic area's environment but also pose safety risks. Furthermore, there have been incidents of river workers not wearing life jackets and inaccuracies in the guide map on the south side of the City God Temple. Although these issues have been rectified, they still reflect a degree of management negligence.
- Insufficient tourism development: Although the scenic area boasts rich historical and cultural resources, some visitors believe it is underdeveloped. Some attractions offer limited displays and lack interactive and experiential experiences, requiring further improvement in their appeal.
- Limitations of early planning: As the moat of the old city, traffic congestion and limited parking are likely to occur in the surrounding area, creating inconvenience for self-driving tourists. Furthermore, some of the early infrastructure, such as severely damaged toilet facilities, may not meet the demands of modern tourism.