View source for Nantong

{{Short description|City in China}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available-->
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->| name               = Nantong
| official_name      = 
| native_name        = 南通市
| native_name_lang   = zh
| other_name         = Nantung
| settlement_type    = [[Prefecture-level city]]
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| image1 = The skyline of Nantong City in July, 2022.jpg
| caption1 = Skyline of Nantong CBD
| image2 = Nantong Bell Tower and Watch Tower 2013-01.JPG
| caption2=  Nantong Bell Tower
| image3 = Tianning Temple in Nantong 14 2013-01.jpg
| caption3 = Tianing Temple
| image4 = 通州区湘江北路.jpg
| caption4 = [[Tongzhou, Nantong|Tongzhou District]]
| image5 = Sutong Yangtze River Bridge.JPG
| caption5 = [[Sutong Yangtze River Bridge]]
| image6 = Nantong University Zhongxiu Campus.jpg
| caption6 = [[Nantong University]]
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| pushpin_map        = China Jiangsu#Eastern China#China
| pushpin_label_position = 
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<!-- Location ------------------>| coor_pinpoint      = Nantong municipal government
| coordinates        = {{coord|31.981|N|120.894|E|format=dms|type:adm2nd_region:CN-32_source:Gaode|display=it}}
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[China|People's Republic of China]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Province of China|Province]]
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| subdivision_name1  = [[Jiangsu]]
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| established_title  = <!-- Settled -->
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| named_for          = <!-- Area    --------------------->
| seat_type          = Municipal seat
| seat               = [[Chongchuan District]]
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| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Communist Party of China|CPC]] Municipal Secretary
| leader_name        = Lu Zhipeng ({{lang|zh-hans|陆志鹏}})
| leader_title1      = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name1       = Han Liming ({{lang|zh-hans|韩立明}})
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| area_total_km2     = 8544.1  <!-- ALL fields with measurements are subject to automatic unit conversion-->
| area_land_km2      = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on unit conversion-->
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_urban_km2     = 2840
| area_metro_km2     = 2840
| area_blank1_title  = 
| area_blank1_km2    = <!-- Elevation -------------------------->
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
| elevation_m        = 2
| elevation_ft       = 7
| elevation_min_m    = 
| elevation_min_ft   = <!-- Population   ----------------------->
| population_total   = 7726635
| population_as_of   = 2020 census
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/china/jiangsu/admin/|title = China: Jiāngsū (Prefectures, Cities, Districts and Counties) – Population Statistics, Charts and Map}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
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| population_blank1  = 
| population_density_blank1_km2 = <!-- General information  --------------->
| demographics_type2 = GDP<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dy.163.com/v2/article/detail/E6MPUTF9053718WA.html |title=存档副本 |date=29 January 2019 |access-date=2019-10-07 |archive-date=2019-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007050113/http://dy.163.com/v2/article/detail/E6MPUTF9053718WA.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = [[Prefecture-level city]]
| demographics2_info1 = [[Renminbi|CN¥]] 1.103&nbsp;trillion<br />[[US$]] 164&nbsp;billion
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = CN¥ 142,642<br />US$ 21,211
| population_note    = 
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal code of China|Postal code]] <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| postal_code        = 226000<br /><small>(Urban centre)</small><br />226100-226600<br /><small>(Other areas)</small>
| area_code          = 513
| iso_code           = [[ISO 3166-2:CN|CN-JS-06]]
| unemployment_rate  = 
| website            = {{Official URL}}
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| timezone           = [[China Standard Time|China Standard]]
| utc_offset         = +8
| blank2_name        = Major [[Nationalities of China|Ethnicity]]
| blank2_info        = [[Han Chinese|Han]]
| blank3_name        = [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China#County level|County-level divisions]]
| blank3_info        = 8
| blank4_name        = '''[[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China#Township level|Township-level divisions]]'''
| blank4_info        = 146
| blank5_name        = '''[[Licence plates of the People's Republic of China|Licence Plate]] Prefixes'''
| blank5_info        = {{lang|zh-cn|苏F}}
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}}

'''Nantong'''{{efn|{{zh|c=南通|p=Nántōng}}; alternate names: Nan-t'ung, Nantung, Tongzhou, or Tungchow; [[Qihai dialect]]: {{IPA|wuu|nie tʰoŋ|}}}} is a [[prefecture-level city]] in southeastern [[Jiangsu|Jiangsu province]], China. Located on the northern bank of the [[Yangtze River]], near the river mouth. Nantong is a vital river port bordering [[Yancheng]] to the north; [[Taizhou, Jiangsu|Taizhou]] to the west; [[Suzhou]], [[Wuxi]] and [[Shanghai]] to the south across the river; and the [[East China Sea]] to the east. Its population was 7,726,635 as of the 2020 census, 3,766,534 of whom lived in the built-up area made up of three urban districts.

On September 26, 2004, the first World Metropolitan Development Forum was held in Nantong. In 2005, Nantong had a [[GDP]] growth of 15.4%, the highest growth rate in Jiangsu province, and in 2016 Nantong's GDP had a total of about 675 billion yuan, ranking 21st in the whole country.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Although the city took a blow from the economic depression of the 1930s, as well as the Japanese occupation of the 1930s and 40s, Nantong has remained an important center for the textile industry. Because of its deepwater harbor and connections to inland navigational canals, it was one of 14 port cities opened to foreign investment in recent Chinese economic reforms.

== Toponymy ==
In 958 CE, the area was organized as a [[Prefecture (China)|prefecture]], named Tong Prefecture ({{Lang-zh|c=通州|p=Tōngzhōu|l=Opening Prefecture}}).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title= |script-title=zh:市情 |trans-title=City Conditions |url=https://www.nantong.gov.cn/ntsrmzf/sq/sq.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521201234/https://www.nantong.gov.cn/ntsrmzf/sq/sq.html |archive-date=2025-05-21 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.nantong.gov.cn |publisher=Nantong Municipal People's Government |language=zh}}</ref> The name was possibly derived from its position near the mouth of the Yangtze.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}} In 1151, another Tong Prefecture with an identical name was established in present-day [[Tongzhou, Beijing]].<ref name=":0" /> During the [[Qing dynasty]], to avoid confusion, the Tong Prefecture in present-day Nantong was changed to Nantong Prefecture ({{Lang-zh|c=南通州|p=Nántōng Zhōu|l=South Opening Prefecture}}), to indicate its location to the south of the other Tong Prefecture.<ref name=":0" />

==History==
The area of present-day Nantong is part of the [[Yangtze]] river's [[alluvial plain]], with the land being form from [[sediment]] carried down the river.<ref name=":0" /> The area was first inhabited over 5,000 years ago.<ref name=":0" /> Most of the area of present-day Nantong was formed within the past 2,000 years, as local [[Shoal|sandbars]] grew and connected with one another.<ref name=":0" />

===Ancient era===

The area that is now Nantong was originally part of the [[Wu (state)|state of Wu]] during the [[Spring and Autumn period]], which was later conquered by the [[Yue (state)|state of Yue]] in 473 BCE.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}} After yet again being subjected to a new foreign rule by the [[Chu (state)|state of Chu]] in 334 BCE, the inhabitants of present-day Nantong would again experience another regime change during the [[Qin's wars of unification|first unification of China]] by the [[state of Qin]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

===Imperial era===
[[file:Temple_of_Mystery_of_Nantong_01_2013-01.JPG|thumb|250px|left|Xuanmiao Temple, a [[Song dynasty]] architectural relic built in 1009, located in [[Chongchuan District]].]]
In 411 CE, during the [[Eastern Jin dynasty]], four [[County (China)|counties]] were established in the area: Ninghai County ({{Lang-zh|s=宁海县|t=寧海縣|p=Nínghǎi Xiàn}}), Rugao County ({{Lang-zh|s=如皋县|t=如皋縣|p=Rúgāo Xiàn}}), Linjiang County ({{Lang-zh|s=临江县|t=臨江縣|p=Línjiāng Xiàn}}), and Putao County ({{Lang-zh|s=蒲涛县|t=蒲濤縣|p=Pútāo Xiàn}}).<ref name=":0" /> All four counties were subordinate to {{Interlanguage link|Nanyan Prefecture (Jiangsu)|lt=Nanyan Prefecture|zh|南兖州 (南朝)}}, which could later be incorporated as [[Yangzhou]].<ref name=":0" /> Under the [[Northern and Southern dynasties|Southern dynasties]], a fifth county, Hai'an County ({{Lang-zh|s=海安县|t=海安縣|p=Hǎi'ān Xiàn}}), was also established.<ref name=":0" />

In the early [[Sui dynasty]], all of the counties in present-day Nantong were abolished.<ref name=":0" /> Hai'an County was briefly re-established in 708 CE, during the [[Tang dynasty]], when it was carved out of the eastern portion of nearby {{Interlanguage link|Hailing County (Western Han)|lt=Hailing County|zh|海陵县 (古代)}}.<ref name=":0" /> In 722 CE, it Hai'an County was merged back into Hailing County.<ref name=":0" /> Rugao County was re-established in 952 CE.<ref name=":0" />

In 958 CE, the area was organized as a [[Prefecture (China)|prefecture]], named Tong Prefecture ({{Lang-zh|c=通州|p=Tōngzhōu|l=Opening Prefecture}}).<ref name=":0" /> It administered two counties: Jinghai County ({{Lang-zh|s=静海县|t=靜海縣|p=Jìnghǎi Xiàn}}) and Haimen County ({{Lang-zh|s=海门县|t=海門縣|p=Hǎimén Xiàn}}).<ref name=":0" /> Its administrative seat was located in Jinghai County.<ref name=":0" /> In 1023, Tong Prefecture was briefly renamed to Chong Prefecture ({{Lang-zh|c=崇州|p=Chóng Zhōu}}), although its name was reverted to Tong Prefecture within the year.<ref name=":0" />

In 1278, during the [[Yuan dynasty]], Tong Prefecture was reorganized as a [[Circuit (administrative division)|circuit]].<ref name=":0" /> This change was reverted six years later.<ref name=":0" />

In 1368, the first year of the [[Ming dynasty]], Jinghai County was abolished, and the area was put under the direct administration of Tong Prefecture.<ref name=":0" /> At this time, Tong Prefecture also held jurisdiction over Haimen County and Chongming County ({{Lang-zh|s=崇明县|t=崇明縣|p=Chóngmíng Xiàn}}).<ref name=":0" /> Eight years later, Chongming County was transferred from Tong Prefecture to {{Interlanguage link|Suzhou Fu|zh|苏州府}}.<ref name=":0" />

During the [[Qing dynasty]], Tong Prefecture was renamed to Nantong Prefecture ({{Lang-zh|c=南通州|p=Nántōng Zhōu|l=South Opening Prefecture}}) to avoid confusion with another Tong Prefecture located in present-day [[Beijing]].<ref name=":0" /> In 1672, Haimen County was abolished and placed under the direct administration of Tong Prefecture.<ref name=":0" /> In 1724, Nantong was reorganized as a {{Interlanguage link|Directly administered prefecture|lt=directly administered prefecture|zh|直隶州}}.<ref name=":0" />

===Modern era===
Nantong was the first place in China to be developed into a modern city after the collapse of the Qing dynasty, and was also the birthplace of China's modern industry.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

The prosperity of Nantong has traditionally depended on salt production on the nearby seacoast, rice and cotton agriculture, and manufacture of cotton and silk textiles, especially [[Nantong blue calico]].{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} A local statesman and industrialist named [[Zhang Jian (politician)|Zhang Jian]] founded Nantong's first modern cotton mills in 1899. He then developed an industrial complex that included flour, oil, and silk reeling mills, a distillery, and a machinery shop.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} He also founded a shipping line and reclaimed saline agricultural land to the east of Nantong for cotton production. Thanks to these efforts, by 1911 Nantong was commonly called "Zhang Jian's Kingdom". In the early [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republican]] period, the Nantong Special Administrative District included [[Chongming County]], now part of [[Shanghai]].<ref name=eos>[http://zhuanti.shanghai.gov.cn/encyclopedia/en/Default2.aspx#50 "Chongming County" in the ''Encyclopedia of Shanghai'', pp.&nbsp;50&nbsp;ff.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302131933/http://zhuanti.shanghai.gov.cn/encyclopedia/en/Default2.aspx |date=2013-03-02 }} Shanghai Scientific & Technical Publishers (Shanghai), 2010. Hosted by the Municipality of Shanghai.</ref>

The Republic of China reorganized the area's administrative units in 1912, to be three counties: Nantong, Rugao, and Haimen.<ref name=":0" /> All three were directly administered by [[Jiangsu]] province.<ref name=":0" />

Following the [[Shanghai massacre]] of 1927, the [[Chinese Communist Party]] (CCP) became active in the Tonghairutai area ({{Lang-zh|s=通海如泰地区|t=通海如泰地區|p=Tōnghǎirútài dìqū}}), spanning present-day Nantong, [[Haimen, Nantong|Haimen]], [[Rugao]], and [[Taizhou, Jiangsu|Taizhou]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2018-09-08 |title= |script-title=zh:南通革命根据地政权的建立与巩固 |trans-title=Establishment and Consolidation of Political Power of the Nantong Revolutionary Base Area |url=https://www.ntszw.gov.cn/?c=index&a=show&id=957 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521185612/https://www.ntszw.gov.cn/?c=index&a=show&id=957 |archive-date=2025-05-21 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.ntszw.gov.cn |publisher=Party History Office of Nantong Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party; Nantong Local Chronicles Compilation Committee Office |language=zh-hans}}</ref> In April 1928, the {{Interlanguage link|14th Army (Chinese Red Army)|lt=14th Army|zh|中国工农红军第十四军}} of the [[Chinese Red Army]] commenced [[Guerrilla warfare|guerilla]] operations throughout the area.<ref name=":1" /> In February 1929, the CCP established a local [[Soviet (council)|soviet]] in Nantong.<ref name=":1" /> The following year, led by the 14th Army, numerous local soviets were established.<ref name=":1" />

[[Second Sino-Japanese War|Invading Japanese forces]] conquered Nantong on March 17, 1938.<ref name=":1" /> Local CCP forces began covertly resisting Japanese occupation in August 1938.<ref name=":1" /> Forces belonging to the [[New Fourth Army]] crossed from south of the Yangtze river near the end of 1939, entering nearby [[Jiangdu, Yangzhou|Jiangdu]] in present-day [[Yangzhou]].<ref name=":1" /> Following an attack from [[Kuomintang]] general [[Han Deqin]] on New Fourth Army forces south of the Yangtze in early October, CCP forces shifted their focus north of the river, including in present-day Nantong.<ref name=":1" /> Japanese occupation came to an end in Rugao on September 21, 1945.<ref name=":1" />

The Chinese Civil War in Nantong resumed in July 1946, when the New Fourth Army's Central China Field Army ({{Lang-zh|s=华中野战军|t=華中野戰軍|p=Huázhōng Yězhàn Jūn}}) and Kuomintang forces engaged in the {{Interlanguage link|Battle of Suzhong|zh|苏中战役}}, which CCP forces won in August.<ref name=":1" /> Despite the CCP victory, Kuomintang forces went into the winter of 1946 occupying a larger portion of Nantong, both in terms of population and area.<ref name=":1" /> Large-scale fighting resumed in the area during the autumn of 1948 with the [[Huaihai campaign]].<ref name=":1" /> Towards the end of the campaign, the CCP forces (now re-organized as the [[People's Liberation Army]]) moved south towards the Yangtze, conquering a number of towns in Nantong's periphery throughout January 1949 into February 1949, before ultimately taking Nantong's urban core on February 2, 1949.<ref name=":1" />

In January 1950, [[Hai'an]] and Rugao were transferred to the jurisdiction of Nantong.<ref name=":1" />

In May 2021, a violent storm hit the city, leaving 11 people dead, and a further 102 people injured. According to authorities, many homes were badly damaged during the storm, and more than 3,000 people were evacuated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=China storm: Eleven dead and thousands evacuated after massive thunderstorm hits Nantong |url=https://news.sky.com/story/eleven-dead-and-thousands-evacuated-after-massive-thunderstorm-hits-chinas-east-coast-12292107 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> They were among many other cities on China's east coast that were affected.

== Geography ==
[[File:Txu-oclc-10552568-ni51-13.jpg|left|thumb|Nantong (labeled NAN-T'UNG {{lang|zh|南通}}) (1952)]]
{{Infobox Chinese
| psp = Nantung
| c = 南通
| p = Nántōng
| w = Nan<sup>2</sup>-t'ung<sup>1</sup>
| wuu = noe<sup>平</sup>thon<sup>平</sup>
| j = naam<sup>4</sup>tung<sup>1</sup>|
| l = southern passage
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| title = Tongzhou
| psp = Tungchow
| c = 通州
| w = T'ung<sup>1</sup>-chou<sup>1</sup>
| p = Tōngzhōu
}}

Nantong belongs to the [[alluvial plain]] of the [[Yangtze]] river, formed by the deposit of [[sediment]] that flowed through the river.<ref name=":0" /> Most of the city's current land was formed within the past 2,000 years.<ref name=":0" />

=== Climate ===
Nantong has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfa''), with four distinct seasons. Winters are chilly and damp, and cold northwesterly winds caused by the [[Siberian high]] can force temperatures to fall below freezing at night although snowfall is relatively uncommon. Summers are hot and humid, and downpours or freak thunderstorms often occur. Monthly daily average temperatures range from {{convert|3.6|°C|1}} in January to {{convert|27.9|°C|1}} in July, and the annual mean is {{convert|16.2|°C|1}}. With the [[plum rain]]s in June and early July comes the rainiest part of the year.

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| metric first = y
| single line = y
| collapsed = Y
| location = Nantong, elevation {{convert|5|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1952–present)
| Jan high C = 7.4
| Feb high C = 9.6
| Mar high C = 14.0
| Apr high C = 20.1
| May high C = 25.4
| Jun high C = 28.2
| Jul high C = 32.0
| Aug high C = 31.7
| Sep high C = 27.8
| Oct high C = 22.8
| Nov high C = 16.8
| Dec high C = 10.2
| Jan mean C = 3.6
| Feb mean C = 5.3
| Mar mean C = 9.3
| Apr mean C = 14.9
| May mean C = 20.3
| Jun mean C = 24.0
| Jul mean C = 28.0
| Aug mean C = 27.7
| Sep mean C = 23.7
| Oct mean C = 18.3
| Nov mean C = 12.5
| Dec mean C = 6.1
| Jan low C = 0.7
| Feb low C = 2.1
| Mar low C = 5.6
| Apr low C = 10.7
| May low C = 16.2
| Jun low C = 20.8
| Jul low C = 25.0
| Aug low C = 24.8
| Sep low C = 20.5
| Oct low C = 14.8
| Nov low C = 8.9
| Dec low C = 2.8
| Jan record high C = 20.1
| Jan record low C = -9.6
| Feb record high C = 25.3
| Feb record low C = -7.2
| Mar record high C = 33.1
| Mar record low C = -3.9
| Apr record high C = 33.3
| Apr record low C = -0.7
| May record high C = 34.8
| May record low C = 5.5
| Jun record high C = 36.4
| Jun record low C = 12.8
| Jul record high C = 38.7
| Jul record low C = 15.6
| Aug record high C = 40.0
| Aug record low C = 16.5
| Sep record high C = 38.5
| Sep record low C = 9.9
| Oct record high C = 32.2
| Oct record low C = 3.4
| Nov record high C = 27.3
| Nov record low C = -2.8
| Dec record high C = 22.6
| Dec record low C = -8.9
| year high C = 
| year low C = 
| year high F = 
| year low F = 
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 55.8
| Feb precipitation mm = 50.7
| Mar precipitation mm = 73.1
| Apr precipitation mm = 72.8
| May precipitation mm = 83.9
| Jun precipitation mm = 209.1
| Jul precipitation mm = 195.7
| Aug precipitation mm = 183.9
| Sep precipitation mm = 102.9
| Oct precipitation mm = 59.5
| Nov precipitation mm = 55.4
| Dec precipitation mm = 37.4
| Jan humidity = 76
| Feb humidity = 76
| Mar humidity = 75
| Apr humidity = 74
| May humidity = 75
| Jun humidity = 81
| Jul humidity = 82
| Aug humidity = 83
| Sep humidity = 81
| Oct humidity = 76
| Nov humidity = 76
| Dec humidity = 73
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 9.4
| Feb precipitation days = 9.1
| Mar precipitation days = 10.8
| Apr precipitation days = 10.0
| May precipitation days = 10.7
| Jun precipitation days = 12.7
| Jul precipitation days = 12.8
| Aug precipitation days = 11.9
| Sep precipitation days = 9.2
| Oct precipitation days = 7.0
| Nov precipitation days = 8.4
| Dec precipitation days = 7.2
| year precipitation days = 
| Jan sun = 131.3
| Feb sun = 126.6
| Mar sun = 152.0
| Apr sun = 176.9
| May sun = 184.0
| Jun sun = 133.0
| Jul sun = 183.0
| Aug sun = 196.1
| Sep sun = 167.8
| Oct sun = 167.7
| Nov sun = 141.0
| Dec sun = 144.5
| year sun = 
| Jan percentsun = 41
| Feb percentsun = 40
| Mar percentsun = 41
| Apr percentsun = 45
| May percentsun = 43
| Jun percentsun = 31
| Jul percentsun = 42
| Aug percentsun = 48
| Sep percentsun = 46
| Oct percentsun = 48
| Nov percentsun = 45
| Dec percentsun = 46
| year percentsun = 
| Jan snow days = 2.6
| Feb snow days = 2.0
| Mar snow days = 0.7
| Apr snow days = 0
| May snow days = 0
| Jun snow days = 0
| Jul snow days = 0
| Aug snow days = 0
| Sep snow days = 0
| Oct snow days = 0
| Nov snow days = 0.2
| Dec snow days = 0.7
| year snow days = 
| source 1 = [[China Meteorological Administration]]<ref name="cma graphical">{{cite web |url=http://data.cma.cn/data/weatherBk.html |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网 – WeatherBk Data |publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |language = zh-hans |access-date=25 June 2023}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web|url=https://experience.arcgis.com/template/e724038fda394e9d9b7921f10fd1aa55/page/%E7%BA%AF%E8%A1%A8%E6%A0%BC%E7%BB%9F%E8%AE%A1-(%E5%AF%B9%E6%AF%948110%E5%8F%98%E5%8C%96)/?org=UQmaps |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网|publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |language = zh-hans | access-date =25 June 2023 |title=Experience Template }}</ref>all-time extreme temperature<ref name = Mherrera>{{cite web
|url= http://www.mherrera.org/temp.htm
|title= Extreme Temperatures Around the World
|access-date= 2025-05-12
}}</ref>
| source 2 = Weather China<ref name = Clim>{{cite web
| url = http://www.weather.com.cn/cityintro/101190501.shtml?
| script-title=zh:南通 - 气象数据 -中国天气网 
| publisher = Weather China
| language = zh
| access-date = 22 November 2022}}</ref>
| source = 
}}

==Culture==
* [[Xuanmiao Temple]], structure built during the Song era.
* [[Nantong Museum]]

==Language==
{{main|Nantong dialect}}
Nantong city and its six counties (or [[county-level cities]]) are rich in linguistic diversity, featuring both important Northern Wu varieties and highly divergent dialects of Mandarin (see [[Nantong dialect]]). People in the city of Nantong speak a unique dialect which sounds nothing like standard Mandarin or any other dialect, and it also holds distinctive differences from surrounding dialects. 

About 2 million people in the southern parts of [[Tongzhou District, Nantong|Tongzhou]], [[Haimen]], and [[Qidong City|Qidong]] speak the [[Wu language]], the specific local variety of which is often referred to as "Qi-hai Hua" ({{linktext|lang=zh-hans|启|海|话}}), meaning Qidong-Haimen speech. It is about the same as the dialect spoken on the neighbouring island of [[Chongming Island|Chongming]], [[Shanghai]]. People in northern parts of these counties speak the "Tongdong dialect" ({{zh|s={{linktext|通|东|话}}|p=Tōngdōnghuà|l="Eastern Tong Talk"}}. People in Rugao, Hai'an speak other dialects.

==Tourism==
The Hao River, known as the Emerald Necklace of Nantong, surrounds the city with a total length of {{convert|15|km|abbr=on}}. Most city scenery lines this river.<ref>{{cite news
|url= http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/citylife/2007-01/08/content_776787.htm
|title= A paradise on the water
|publisher= China Daily
|date= 2007-01-08
|access-date= 2015-07-02
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061049/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/citylife/2007-01/08/content_776787.htm
|archive-date= 2016-03-04
|url-status= live
}}</ref>

[[File:City of Nantong and the River Hao.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Nantong skyline seen behind the river Hao]]

Popular tourist sites include [[Langshan (Nantong)|Langshan]] ("Wolf Hill"), which is around 110 meters high. On top of the hill is a Buddhist temple dedicated to a [[Song dynasty]] monk. Because of the monk's legendary powers over water demons, sailors pray to him for protection on their voyages.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

The Cao Gong Zhu Memorial Temple commemorates a local hero who defended the city against Japanese pirates in 1557.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Shuihuiyuan Garden, meaning Water Garden, is unique of all Chinese classical gardens due its creation in the Hui style. It includes the tombs of several people, such as Luo Binwang, a poet of the Tang dynasty; Wen Tianxiang, the national hero of the Nansong dynasty; and Zhang Jian, the scholar of the late Qing dynasty, who was a modern industrialist and supporter of education.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

==Economy==
[[File:Ferry on the Yangtze near Nantong.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Ferry on Yangtze River near Nantong]]
Nantong was historically known as an agricultural area and a traditional site for salt-making.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Its principal agricultural products include cotton, silk, rice, wheat, fishing, fruits, rice wine, and more. Currently, the city is making efforts to upgrade its farming sectors and increase production of organic foods.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

Nantong is one of the 14 port cities opened to foreign investment projects under China's current policies of modernization. Nantong was traditionally an industrial city, especially around the turn of the 20th century, specializing in salt and cotton textile production. Today's industrial corporations have made Nantong into an industrial hub since it opened its door to the outside world in the 1990s. With its excellent geographic location and the completion of two Yangtze River bridges, the prefecture is attracting more investment funding nationwide.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} Many of these investments come from international corporations. In October 2007, Singapore RGM International signed an agreement with Rudong, a county under Nantong's jurisdiction, to invest in a port project, costing 9 billion Yuan or US$1.33 billion, at Rudong Yangkou Port.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} 
[[Image:Buddhist temple on Wolf Hill.JPG|thumb|200px|right|View of Guangxiao Temple and Wolf Hill, Chongchuan District]]
Today, Nantong is one of many fast-growing coastal cities in China.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} With the opening of [[Sutong Bridge]] in April 2008 and [[Chonghai Bridge]] in 2009, the city has been listed as the number one city in the [[Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone]] for foreign investment, surpassing its rivals Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

As a sprawling metropolis, Nantong has experienced environment damage from its industrialization as well. The municipal government has been putting stiffer environmental policies into practice over the years and has spent tremendous amounts of money to curb pollution and plant more trees along its roads. The city is active in shutting down factories that do not meet its environment laws.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Nantong has developed rapidly in the last 25 years, as have most of the cities in the [[Yangtze River Delta]]. Nantong's rapid economic growth is generally attributed to its advantageous location just north of [[Shanghai]]. Nantong's Sutong Bridge is expected to further Nantong's integration with Shanghai, cutting transportation time between the cities down from three hours to one hour.<ref>{{cite news
|last= Jiao
|first= Xiaoyang
|url= http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2007-06/19/content_6176053.htm
|title= New milestone for record-breaking bridge
|publisher= China Daily
|date= June 19, 2007
|access-date= 2014-08-04
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071801/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2007-06/19/content_6176053.htm
|archive-date= March 4, 2016
|url-status= live
}}</ref>

The shipping corporation [[Cosco]] has a large port and ship repair yard on the river. Cosco (Nantong) Shipyard Co., Ltd, the first shipyard of the Cosco group, has placed itself adjacent to the busy port of Nantong. The yard has 1120 m of coastline and is equipped with one cape-size and one panamax size floating dock. Cosco Shipyard handles approximately 150 vessels per year.<ref>[http://www.nosec.com.cn/]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050212002548/http://www.nosec.com.cn/|date=February 12, 2005}}</ref> [[Nantong Mingde Heavy Industries]] originally operated a shipyard in Nantong, but declared bankruptcy in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/168202/mingde-heavy-declares-bankruptcy/ |title=Mingde Heavy Declares Bankruptcy |date=3 August 2015 |access-date=2019-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325033152/https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/168202/mingde-heavy-declares-bankruptcy/ |archive-date=2019-03-25 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Minde's parent company, [[Jiangsu Sainty Marine Corporation]], would cease operations in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.maritimeherald.com/2017/sainty-marine-abandoned-shipbuilding-business/ |title=Sainty Marine quits shipbuilding business |date=10 January 2017 |access-date=2019-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325033143/http://www.maritimeherald.com/2017/sainty-marine-abandoned-shipbuilding-business/ |archive-date=2019-03-25 |url-status=dead |first1=Stefani|last1=Igaz}}</ref>

Some companies in Nantong:

* Empire Clothing Co. Ltd. – Manufacturer of garments for men, women and children. Products gallery.
* Nantong No.2 Yarn-dyed Weaving Mill – Cloth and garment manufacturer.
* Nantong Taierte Clothing Co. Ltd. – Textile production and processing.
* Nantong Freezing Equipment Factory – Refrigeration and quick freezing equipment for the food industry.
* Nantong Printing and Dyeing Co. Ltd. – Textile processor. Product specifications.
* Nantong Suzhong Textile Co. Ltd. – Yarn and thread manufacturer. Product specifications.
* Nantong General Pharmaceutical Factory – Manufacturer of pharmaceutical materials such as tablets, capsules and injections. Product specifications.
* Nantong Xiaoxing Transformer Co., Ltd. -Various range of electric transformers
*Nantong Fujitsu Microelectronics Co Ltd <ref>{{cite news
|last= Liu
|first= Baijia
|url= http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bw/2007-04/09/content_845764.htm
|title= High stakes chips
|publisher= China Daily
|date= April 9, 2007
|access-date= 2008-08-04
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121009111422/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bw/2007-04/09/content_845764.htm
|archive-date= October 9, 2012
|url-status= live
}}</ref>

==Industrial zones==

=== Nantong Binhai Park ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2025}}
Established in January 2012 according to State-level development zone standards, Nantong Binhai Park is under the direct governance and significant investment of the Nantong Municipality. Benefiting from favorable policies, the park spans an expansive land area of 820 km<sup>2</sup> (320 sq mi).

Situated 50 km (31 mi) east of Nantong's downtown area, it is conveniently located within a 1.5-hour drive from Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao airports. Binhai Park boasts excellent transportation infrastructure, with access to key expressways linking Tongyang to Nantong downtown, Haiqi to Qidong and Shanghai Pudong, as well as seaports featuring 500 berths ranging from 50,000 tons to 300,000 tons in the Tongzhou Bay port cluster.

The industries in Binhai Park primarily focus on maritime and offshore activities, logistics, equipment manufacturing, new energy, advanced materials, electronics, and more.

=== Nantong Economic & Technological Development Area ===
Established in 1984, Nantong Economic & Technological Development Area (NETDA) was one of the first state-level development zones approved by the Chinese Central Government and has been certified as an ISO 14000 National Demonstration Zone. The zone benefits from superior transportation facilities by both rail and road. NETDA has direct links to two railways: the Xinyi-Changxing Railway and the Nanjing-Qidong Railway. Su-Tong Yangtze River Bridge feeds into the center of NETDA and connects the Nanjing-Nantong and Yancheng-Nantong Expressways to the north, and Shanghai-Nanjing and Suzhou-Jiaxing-Hangzhou Expressways and Riverside Expressways to the south.

NETDA includes several subsidiary zones including Nantong Export Processing Zone, New Material Park, Opto-mechatronics Industrial Park and NETDA Business Park. Special incentives are offered for investments in areas of modern equipment manufacturing, such as in new materials, engineering, fine chemicals, new medicines, new energy and modern services. At present, NETDA has attracted a large number of renowned companies to settle in Nantong, such as Vonnex Allied IT Services, OJI Paper, Maxion, Johnson Controls, ITOCHU, TSRC Corporation, and Merck KGaA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rightsite.asia/en/industrial-zone/nantong-economic-technological-development-zone/|title=Jiangsu Industrial Park-Nantong Economic & Technological Development Area (NETDA) – China Industrial Space|access-date=12 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611145845/http://rightsite.asia/en/industrial-zone/nantong-economic-technological-development-zone|archive-date=11 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merckgroup.com/en/media/extNewsDetail.html?newsId=2584B5F48B801449C1257C2300698BCD&newsType=1|title=Merck Strengthens its Presence in China with New Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility|author=Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany|date=15 November 2013|access-date=12 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009021002/http://www.merckgroup.com/en/media/extNewsDetail.html?newsId=BB6C79B42740F897C1257ECA00742430&newsType=1|archive-date=9 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== China Singapore ===
Established in 2009, STP is one of the key projects of Jiangsu Province coastal development. It's also a joint-venture park between Suzhou and Nantong, linking them on either side of the Yangtze River. The intended area is {{convert|50|km2|abbr=on}} and is to be developed in three phases. It claims the project as "An International Enterprise Park and Eco-friendly City in Yangtze Delta".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rightsite.asia/en/industrial-zone/sutong-science-technology-park |title=Invest in Nantong-China Singapore Sutong Science & Technology Park &#124; China Industrial Space |publisher=Rightsite.asia |access-date=2015-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703071609/http://rightsite.asia/en/industrial-zone/sutong-science-technology-park |archive-date=2015-07-03 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Nantong Export Processing Zone ===
Nantong Export Processing Zone (NTEPZ) is situated in the Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area with a planned area of {{convert|2.98|km2|abbr=on}}. The Tong-Qi canal marks its western and northern boundaries, with Dongfang Avenue and Fuxin Road its eastern and southern boundaries respectively. NTPEZ is located at a communication hub, adjoining the main coastal artery of communications between north and south, close to the estuary of the Yangtze River, only 8 kilometers to the Su(Suzhou)-Tong(Nangtong) Changjiang Bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rightsite.asia/en/industrial-zone/nantong-export-processing-zone/|title=Nantong Export Processing Zone|access-date=12 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109080409/http://rightsite.asia/en/industrial-zone/nantong-export-processing-zone|archive-date=9 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Administration==
{{See also|List of administrative divisions of Jiangsu}}

The [[prefecture-level city]] of Nantong administers seven [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China#County level|county-level divisions]], including three [[District of China|districts]], three [[county-level city|county-level cities]], and one [[County (People's Republic of China)|county]].

These are further divided into 146 [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China#Township level|township-level divisions]].

{|class="wikitable"  style="font-size:90%; margin:auto;"
|-
! colspan="8" |Administrative divisions of Nantong
|-
|colspan="8" |<div class="center" style="position: relative">
{{Image label begin|image=Administrative Division Nantong.png|width=750|link=}} 
{{Image label|x=880|y=1210|scale=750/2500|text=[[Chongchuan District|'''Chongchuan''']]}}
{{Image label|x=1160|y=1000|scale=750/2500|text=[[Tongzhou District, Nantong|'''Tongzhou''']]}}
{{Image label|x=1490|y=1210|scale=750/2500|text=[[Haimen District|'''Haimen''']]}}
{{Image label|x=310|y=240|scale=750/2500|text=[[Hai'an, Jiangsu|'''Hai'an<br />{{small|(city)}}''']]}}
{{Image label|x=1130|y=550|scale=750/2500|text=[[Rudong County|'''Rudong<br />County''']]}}
{{Image label|x=2000|y=1380|scale=750/2500|text=[[Qidong City|'''Qidong<br />{{small|(city)}}''']]}}
{{Image label|x=480|y=740|scale=750/2500|text=[[Rugao|'''Rugao<br />{{small|(city)}}''']]}}
{{Image label end}}</div>
|-
! Subdivision
! Chinese ([[Simplified Chinese character|S]])
! Pinyin
! Postal
! Population<br />(2020 census)<ref name = "2020census">{{cite web|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/php/china-jiangsu-admin.php|title=China: Jiāngsū (Prefectures, Cities, Districts and Counties) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map|website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>
! Area {{small|(km<sup>2</sup>)}}
! Density {{small|(/km<sup>2</sup>)}}
|-
| align=left | [[Chongchuan District]]
| align=left | {{lang|zh-Hans|崇川区}}
| align=right | Chóngchuān Qū
! align=left | 226000
| align=right| 1,516,013
| align=right| 564.1
| align=right| 2,687
|-
| align=left | [[Tongzhou District, Nantong|Tongzhou District]]
| align=left | {{lang|zh-Hans|通州区}}
| align=right | Tōngzhōu Qū
! align=left | 226300
| align=right| 1,258,739
| align=right| 1,432
| align=right| 879.0
|-
| align=left | [[Haimen District]]
| align=left | {{lang|zh-Hans|海门区}}
| align=right | Hǎimén Qū
! align=left | 226100
| align=right| 991,782
| align=right| 1,138 
| align=right| 871.5
|- style="background:#d3d3d3;"
| colspan="7"  style="text-align:center; "| '''Rural'''
|-
| align=left | [[Rudong County]]
| align=left | {{lang|zh-Hans|如东县}}
| align=right | Rúdōng Xiàn
! align=left | 226400
| align=right| 880,006 
| align=right| 2,252
| align=right| 390.8
|- style="background:#d3d3d3;"
| colspan="7"  style="text-align:center; "| '''Satellite cities ([[County-level city|County-level cities]])'''
|-
| align=left | [[Qidong City]]
| align=left | {{lang|zh-Hans|启东市}}
| align=right | Qǐdōng Shì
! align=left | 226200
| align=right| 972,525
| align=right| 1,714.59
| align=right| 567.21
|-
| align=left | [[Rugao|Rugao City]]
| align=left | {{lang|zh-Hans|如皋市}}
| align=right | Rúgāo Shì
! align=left | 226500
| align=right| 1,238,448 
| align=right| 1,579 
| align=right| 784.3
|-
| align=left | [[Hai'an, Jiangsu|Hai'an City]]
| align=left | {{lang|zh-Hans|海安市}}
| align=right | Hǎi'ān Shì
! align=left | 226600
| align=right| 874,334
| align=right| 1,152
| align=right| 759.0
|- style="background:#d3d3d3;"
| colspan=4 style="text-align:center; "|'''Total'''
| align=right|'''7,726,635'''
| align=right|'''9,802'''
| align=right|'''788.3'''
|}
* Defunct – [[Gangzha District]] has been promoted to '''Gangzha Economic Development Zone''' ([[Gangzha Jingji Kaifa Qu]] – {{lang|zh-Hans|港闸经济开发区}}) at the provincial level.

==Transportation==

===Air===
[[Nantong Xingdong International Airport]], located in the town of Xingdong in [[Tongzhou District, Nantong|Tongzhou District]], 9.8 kilometers northeast of city center and 120 kilometers from Shanghai, serves Nantong and its neighboring areas. The construction of terminal 2 was completed in 2014, marking an important step towards serving international flights,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://js.ifeng.com/city/nt/news/detail_2014_07/09/2561542_0.shtml?_from_ralated |script-title=zh:南通兴东机场2号航站楼正式试运行 |author1=Pan Dongdong ({{lang|zh-hans|潘冬冬}}) |author2=Ma Jun ({{lang|zh-hans|马骏}}) |access-date=12 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109080412/http://js.ifeng.com/city/nt/news/detail_2014_07/09/2561542_0.shtml?_from_ralated |archive-date=9 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> the first of which took place on 26 May 2023, to Hong Kong.<ref name="Hossack">{{cite news |last1=Hossack |first1=Frank |title=First Flight between Northern Jiangsu and Hong Kong Takes to Skies |url=https://www.thenanjinger.com/jiangsu/briefings-from-jiangsu/first-flight-between-northern-jiangsu-and-hong-kong-takes-to-skies/ |access-date=1 June 2023 |work=The Nanjinger |date=26 May 2023}}</ref>

===Road===
Nantong has two [[Yangtze River bridges and tunnels|bridges across the Yangtze]] to the south. The [[Chongming–Qidong Yangtze River Bridge]], completed in 2011, carries the [[G40 Shanghai–Xi'an Expressway]] from [[Qidong City|Qidong]] to [[Chongming Island]]. The [[Sutong Yangtze River Bridge]], which carries the [[G15 Shenyang–Haikou Expressway]] from Nantong to [[Changshu]], was completed in 2008 and is one of the [[List of longest cable-stayed bridge spans|longest cable-stayed bridges in the world]].

===Rail===
The [[Ningqi Railway|Nanjing-Qidong (Ningqi)]] and [[Xinyi-Changxing (Xinchang) Railway|Xinyi-Changxing (Xinchang)]] railways intersect at [[Hai'an County|Hai'an]] in the northwestern part of Nantong Prefecture. The [[Nantong–Shanghai railway]] opened in 2020 with the [[Hutong Yangtze River Bridge]] and provides a link south to [[Suzhou]] and [[Shanghai]].

Currently, Nantong Railway station and Hai'An railway station have the highest train volume in the city. Due to the single-track nature of the Nanjing-Qidong railway east of Nantong railway station, Electrified Multiple Unit service are not available beyond Nantong railway station; Qidong railway station currently receives 4 round trip trains per day operated as "K" trains. A line from Hai'an also connects Rudong county to the national rail network, with daily departures bounding for Nanjing.

The first line of the [[Nantong Metro]] opened in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=刚刚，南通轨交1号线通车！_要闻_新闻中心_长江网_cjn.cn |trans-title=Just now, Nantong Rail Transit Line 1 opened to traffic!|language=zh|url=http://news.cjn.cn/zjjjdpd/yw_20048/202211/t4334349.htm |access-date=11 November 2022|website=news.cjn.cn}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Bell tower, campus of Nantong Middle School, PRC.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The bell tower in the campus of Nantong Middle School]]
Nantong hosts a comprehensive university, Nantong University (made by the merger of the former Nantong Medical College, former Nantong Normal College, and former Nantong Engineer College). It includes 21 schools and had around 22,000 registered students in 2007.

Nantong has contributed to China's educational development with several firsts: establishment of the first school for teacher training, the first folk museum (Nantong Museum<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ntmuseum.com/|script-title=zh:南通博物苑|website=www.ntmuseum.com|access-date=2018-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213080338/http://www.ntmuseum.com/|archive-date=2018-02-13|url-status=live}}</ref>), the first school for industrial textile manufacturing, the first school for embroidery, the first drama school, and the first school for the deaf and the blind.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-03/06/content_16281169.htm|title=China Daily reference for First school of Embroidery, textile and drama|access-date=12 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614051041/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-03/06/content_16281169.htm|archive-date=14 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/journey/cities/n214036627.shtml]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815091142/http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/journey/cities/n214036627.shtml|date=August 15, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ntu.edu.cn/aboutntu/2.htm |script-title=zh:南通大学-英文版|publisher=English.ntu.edu.cn|access-date=2015-07-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614080908/http://english.ntu.edu.cn/aboutntu/2.htm|archive-date=2015-06-14}}</ref>

[[Zhang Jian (politician)|Zhang Jian]] founded the first normal school in modern China, Nantong Normal College. Zhang also founded museums, libraries, and theaters, making Nantong into an important cultural center.

*Secondary schools (incomplete list):
**[[Nantong Middle School]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntzx.cn/ |script-title=zh:百年名校—江苏省南通中学 |publisher=Ntzx.cn |access-date=2015-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129062357/http://www.ntzx.cn/ |archive-date=2011-01-29 |url-status=live }}</ref>
**[[Nantong No.1 Middle School]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jsntyz.edu.cn/ |script-title=zh:网站首页-江苏省南通第一中学 |publisher=Jsntyz.edu.cn |access-date=2015-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703082721/http://www.jsntyz.edu.cn/ |archive-date=2015-07-03 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Universities and colleges:
**[[Nantong University]]
*International Schools
**Nantong Stalford International School http://en.ntsis.com/

==Social Welfare Institute==
[[Image:Nantong map.gif|100px|thumb|Location of Nantong Social Welfare Institute]]
Established in 1906, Nantong Social Welfare Institute was originally created by Zhang Jian as a house for orphans, the aged, and the disabled.

Located on the banks of the Haohe, the site of the institute has an area of 13.2 [[Chinese units of measurement|mu]] (8,800 m<sup>2</sup>). At present,{{when|date=January 2019}} there are 79 staff members who care for around 170 orphans, widows, and disabled children, plus 70 retirees.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} Since 1952, Nantong Social Welfare Institute has adopted more than 16,000 elderly, orphaned and disabled children.<ref>{{Cite web|title=南通市社会福利院 – 直属机构及职能|url=http://mzj.nantong.gov.cn/ntsmzzj/zsjgjzn/content/276f1c73-c943-423b-8ef9-2b3837370f17.html|access-date=2021-12-03|website=mzj.nantong.gov.cn}}</ref>

==Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
*[[Ding Xuexiang]] (born 1962), member of [[Politburo Standing Committee]] and [[Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China|Vice Premier]]
*[[Ge Jun]] (born 1964), college and university professor

==See also==
*[[List of twin towns and sister cities in China]]
*[[Chinese ship Nantong|Chinese ship ''Nantong'']]
{{Clear}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Qin Shao, ''Culturing Modernity: The Nantong Model, 1890–1930'' (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2004).
* Bao, Mingwei & Wang, Jun (2002). ''Nantong Diqu Fangyan Yanjiu'' [''A Study on the Dialects in Nantong Area'']. Jiangsu Jiaoyu Press.

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Nantong}}
{{Wiktionary|Nantong|Nan-t'ung}}
{{Commons category|Nantong}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Geographic location
| Center = Nantong
| North = [[Yancheng]]
| Northeast = ''East China Sea''
| East = ''East China Sea''
| Southeast = [[Shanghai]]
| South = [[Suzhou]]
| Southwest = [[Wuxi]]
| West = [[Taizhou, Jiangsu|Taizhou]]
| Northwest = Taizhou
}}
{{Jiangsu topics}}
{{Jiangsu}}
{{Prefectural-level divisions of the People's Republic of China}}
{{Regions and cities of China}}
{{Metropolitan cities of the People's Republic of China}}
{{Major cities along the Yangtze River}}
{{SEZ}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Nantong| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Jiangsu]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Yangtze River]]
[[Category:Jiangnan]]
[[Category:National Civilized City]]
[[Category:National Famous Historical and Cultural City]]