Children play in Sijie Block. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Sijie Block is the last remaining ancient block in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, and covers an area of about 14 hectares.

The block consists of one main street spanning 600 meters and several alleys with charming old residential buildings, including some built in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).

Nantong residents wander around Sijie Block. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

In Chinese "sijie" indicates there is a temple on the block. This temple is Tianning Temple, which was built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and houses Guangxiao Tower, the oldest tower in Nantong.

Home to numerous cultural relics, Tianning Temple was listed as an important cultural relic site under State protection in 2006.

Sijie Block in the morning sunshine. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Sijie is also where many of the oldest schools, including the first women's normal school, the first primary school, and the first middle school, in Nantong are located.

Sijie Block in the morning sunshine. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Many notable people from Nantong, including one zhuangyuan, a title given to people who excelled in official recruitment exams, and 24 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, were also born on the block.

An aerial view of Sijie Block. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

By wandering around Sijie, one can take in the rich culture and long history of Nantong. Many people still live on the ancient block.