Hao He Zhi, a book about the Haohe River, the ancient moat of Nantong, was recently published. It is the first moat-themed book in China.

Boasting a history of more than 1,000 years, the river is one of the best preserved city moats in China and the only one located in a city's downtown area. The Haohe River scenic area is now a national 5A tourist attraction in Nantong.

The book was compiled by the city's urban management and gardening bureau, comprehensively detailing the moat’s natural, economic, cultural, and social development throughout history.

According to You Shiwei, head of the book's compiling team, they had to uphold the principle of being clear and easy to understand when working on the book. They had also collected old pictures of the river from all sides.

"The book took the team 10 years to finish and will play an essential role in spreading local culture and building the characteristic culture brand of the city," said You.

The cover of Hao He Zhi, which records the history and development of the Haohe River, the ancient moat of Nantong. [Photo/ntjoy.com]

An old photo of the Haohe River in the book Hao He Zhi. [Photo/ntjoy.com]