Stunning pictures of Nantong are displayed at the promotional conference at Shanghai Grand Theater in Shanghai on Aug 20. [Photo/WeChat account: gotonantong]

The Nantong bureau of culture, broadcasting, television and tourism hosted a culture and tourism promotional conference themed "Travel to Nantong on high-speed railway" at Shanghai Grand Theater in Shanghai on Aug 20.

Hundreds of government officials, tourism industry representatives, and media members from the two cities attended the event, where Gong Fei, deputy secretary general of the Shanghai tourism association alliance, introduced the natural scenery, profound history, and delicious food of Nantong.

According to Nantong's vice-mayor Xu Xinmin, Shanghai has always been a major source of tourists for Nantong. He said that the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region and the launch of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong Yangtze River Bridge will further tighten the bond between the two cities. 

In addition, tourism departments from both sides introduced a series of incentives to stimulate consumption in the tourism market.

For example, Shanghai City Tour Card Co announced at the event that it will soon launch a Shanghai-Nantong tour card, which allows card holders to visit 34 attractions in the two cities for free.

Nantong has cooperated with online travel agency LY.com to issue travel coupons worth 3 million yuan ($434,700) in total, which can be used when booking "hotel + scenic spots" travel plans.

Fourteen tourist destinations in Nantong will also offer a 50 percent discount to visitors who travel to Nantong on high-speed railway trains by Sept 30. Each tourist can enjoy the discount once at each attraction by showing their ID cards and train ticket to Nantong. 

The attractions include Langshan Mountain, Seyuan Garden, Junshan Mountain, Jianshan Mountain, Zhou Ji Green Expo Garden, Nantong Flower Town, as well as several ancient printing and soap making workshops in Tangzha ancient town.