Lights illuminate the riverbanks of the Haohe River in Nantong, Jiangsu province. [Photo/ntjoy.com]

The illumination project along the riverbanks of the Haohe River in Nantong recently won the first prize at the 2020 CIES Illumination Awards, according the city's urban management and law enforcement bureau.

The award was established by the China Illuminating Engineering Society (CIES) in 2005 and is the only sci-tech honor in the illumination industry approved by the National Office for Science and Technology Awards.

Haohe River, hailed as the mother river of Nantong, boasts a history of more than 1,000 years and is one of the four best-preserved moats in China.

The illumination project, which stretches more than 10 kilometers along the riverbanks, involves 63 buildings, 11 bridges and the construction of a light controlling center.

The project, which highlights the river’s unique characteristic of being a tranquil environment that provides a contrast against the hustle and bustle on the banks, is aimed at offering an immersive experience for tourists on night tours along the river.

"Lights have magnified the antique flavor of the Wulong Pavilion," said local resident Li Min. "People gather in the pavilion to play traditional Chinese music instruments, producing a poetic scene from ancient times."

According to Chen Ruhai, director of the city's bureau of urban management and law enforcement bureau, a variety of nighttime activities, including hiking, jogging and photography contests, have been held in the Haohe River scenic area over the past few months, helping draw some 300,000 tourists.