A Nantong bonsai. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Nantong bonsai in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, is known for its traditional style "Two and a Half twists", showcased at the Nantong Bonsai Garden.

The garden, established in 2000, features a collection of bonsai trees, including the beloved "Dragon Twisting Through Clouds" by Zhang Jian (1853-1926), an industrialist and educator, and over 500-year-old national-level bonsai masterpieces like "A Richly Decorated Jade Palace" and "Kunpeng Soaring in the Sky".

In recent years, these precious bonsai masterpieces have suffered due to the lack of high-level technicians to care for them properly. Insufficient and improper fertilization, coupled with pest and disease infestations, have resulted in poor growth and some of the bonsai are even nearing death.

To address this issue, Nantong's bureau of finance allocated special funds at the end of last year to hire a team of experts for the management, maintenance and training of bonsai technicians. Under their guidance, 22 valuable bonsai trees have been successfully revived, including the extremely rare "Yongluo Cypress".

Reviving these bonsai is only the first step. Experts suggest that it will take at least three to five years to achieve the best condition with strong roots, lush foliage, and beautiful shapes.

The bonsai masterpieces in Nantong Bonsai Garden are considered a fusion of ecological, river and cultural heritages representing Zhang Jian.