A bird's-eye view of Bencha Ancient Town. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Bencha Ancient Town, located in Rudong county, Nantong, is a Chinese historic and cultural gem with a history of more than 1,400 years, coupled with a prosperous tourism industry.

Famed for its seafood delicacies, Bencha is particularly known for its clams, celebrated as the most delicious food in the world by Emperor Qianlong (1711-99), razor clam soup—a classic among national dishes—and more.

East Gate of the Bencha Ancient Town. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

In 2020, a facelift was given to the ancient town, renovating its ancient alleys, temples, and pavilions, while introducing new attractions such as spring-themed homestays.

On both sides of the 1.5-kilometer Shiban Alley stand ancient buildings of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), including the iconic Donglai Tower, following the architectural style of the Tang and Song dynasties (618-1279), the Minghai Opera Tower, and Nansha Academy.

Stewed razor clams. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

A nighttime tour route along Tengluo River has also been designed to allow tourists to watch different lightshows throughout the four seasons while enjoying the beautiful scenery along the river.

Bencha's fame stems not only from its aesthetic beauty but also from its reputation as the birthplace of education and longevity in China.