Fourteen public cultural areas in Nantong were included in a provincial plan for building the "most beautiful public cultural areas of Jiangsu province" for 2021, which was recently released by the provincial department of culture and tourism.

The entries from Nantong include: Haonan Bieye, which is the former residence of Zhang Jian, an industrial magnate and scholar of modern China; Nantong Children's Library; Shangshuyuan culture auditorium; Jiangsu Jianghai Museum; and the culture auditorium in Guangonghe village.

Officials said that the plan is meant to improve public cultural services and enrich people's lives.

These public cultural areas are expected to be major venues for public cultural and art education, as well as serve as high-quality social platforms.

Haonan Bieye is a three-story British-style villa built in 1914 with a floor area of more than 2,000 square meters. [Photo/Official WeChat account of Nantong bureau of culture, broadcasting, television and tourism]

Nantong Children's Library is the first municipal-level independent children's library. It was officially opened in December 1992. [Photo/Official WeChat account of Nantong bureau of culture, broadcasting, television and tourism]

The Shangshuyuan culture auditorium is part of Tangzha Shangshuyuan Bookstore in Tangzha ancient town. It has been recognized as one of Jiangsu's Most Beautiful Bookstores. [Photo/Official WeChat account of Nantong bureau of culture, broadcasting, television and tourism]

Established in 2018, Jiangsu Jianghai Museum is located in Haimen district. It is the first museum to focus on river and ocean culture in China. [Photo/Official WeChat account of Nantong bureau of culture, broadcasting, television and tourism]

The culture auditorium in Guangonghe village, Changle town, Haimen district is a good example of cultural revitalization in rural areas. [Photo/Official WeChat account of Nantong bureau of culture, broadcasting, television and tourism]