Seyuan Garden, built in 1924, is one of the largest botanical gardens in Nantong. The garden is home to more than 10,000 types of rare trees from over 200 species and is considered a "natural oxygen bar". [Photo/Langshan National Forest Park]

Thirteen scenic areas in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, will open to the public free of charge on May 19 to mark the China Tourism Day.

The 13 scenic areas are Junshan Mountain, Seyuan Garden, Jianshan Mountain, Yangtze River Medicinal Botanical Garden, Pingyuanchi Lotus Folklore Park, Huaxia Film Exhibition Hall, Green Valley City, Nantong Flower Town, Jianghuai Cultural Park, Lebainian Health Town, Rugao Bonsai Art Expo Park, Dinghui Temple, and Rugao Golden Island Ecological Park.

The first eight scenic areas will also be free to the public on July 1 while the latter five will be free on August 1.

Other dates for free admission include Jun 1 for Nantong Flower Town, July 7 and Nov 11 for Yangtze River Medicinal Botanical Garden, July 18 to 31 and Sept 13 to 25 for Huaxia Film Exhibition Hall, August 4 for Junshan Mountain, Seyuan Garden, and Jianshan Mountain, Sept 9 and 10 for Dinghui Temple, as well as Oct 4 for Rugao Bonsai Art Expo Park.

Jianshan Mountain is also one of the Five Mountains in Nantong. The mountain rises 87.33 meters above sea level. It boasts several temples built during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. [Photo/Langshan National Forest Park]

Green Valley City in Chongchuan district is known as the "lungs of the city," due to its beautiful natural landscapes. It was once a private garden owned by Chen Baochu, a businessman who lived during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). More than 2,000 trees spanning over 150 different varieties grow throughout the scenic spot, of which around 20 are over 100 years old. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]