Opening ceremony of the 2026 Nantong Jianghai International Culture and Tourism Festival takes place at the Nantong Museum on April 24. [Photo/WeChat account: ntwgx6]

The 2026 Nantong Jianghai International Culture and Tourism Festival commenced at the Nantong Museum on April 24.

The opening ceremony featured a breathtaking light-and-shadow show, where majestic river and sea landscapes seamlessly blended with vibrant local cultural and tourism elements, creating a stunning spectacle. This visual masterpiece unfolded through colorful beams of light within the museum, instantly energizing the atmosphere.

Tongcheng Travel, the Meituan platform, and The Paper unveiled three major cultural and tourism lists for Nantong: Must-visit attractions and hotels, a Nantong food check-in guide, and popular spots as seen by Yangtze River Delta tourists. These lists offer an authoritative guide for the upcoming May Day holiday.

This year's festival presents five major themed activities focused on exhibitions, performances, the Jiangsu Football City League, music, and countryside tours, ensuring a month full of engaging experiences.

The festival also introduced the enhanced 2026 "Visit Nantong Pass" tourism card. This upgraded pass not only covers key cultural and tourism resources in Nantong but also links to renowned attractions and cultural venues across Jiangsu's prefecture-level cities, as well as Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Anhui. It includes nearly 100 discount benefits on home textiles, accommodations, food, coffee, and more.

Running until May 23, the festival promises a rich array of activities. As the May Day holiday approaches, major attractions, cultural and museum venues, and other market entities across the city, along with various counties and districts, will host over 100 related events to delight both tourists and local residents.