Scenery along the 12-km cycling loop in Nantong. [Photo/Haimen Daily]

A 12-kilometer cycling loop along the Yangtze River embankment in Haiyong town, Nantong's Haimen district, has quickly gained popularity as a weekend escape for residents seeking an easy, scenic ride without the typical tourist crowds.

The route starts and ends at the Yonglin Ferry pier, following a clockwise path that delivers a constantly shifting landscape. The opening stretch runs directly alongside the river, offering unobstructed views of cargo ships and wide marshlands.

Turning inland, the scenery changes to lanes lined with blossoming Chinese roses, providing a quiet, shady contrast. A detour leads to a pocket of Anhui province-style architecture — white-walled, dark-roofed courtyards built along the water — adding a cultural element to the journey.

Further along, the route passes through Yongbei village, where visitors can experience authentic rural life with orderly farmhouses, winding canals, and expansive crop fields.

The midway point is marked by Fumei Farm, a family-oriented agritourism stop where guests can pick seasonal fruits, explore vegetable plots, or let children participate in simple farming activities.

The final stretch curves back along the western embankment, with the river on one side and pastoral fields on the other, before returning to the ferry point.

The best riding times are morning or late afternoon, when the setting sun often delivers a dramatic sunset over the Yangtze River.

The circuit remains largely a word-of-mouth find, drawing cyclists and families from nearby Nantong and even Shanghai, located just over an hour's drive away. It offers a half-day micro-vacation that combines light activity, natural scenery, and rural culture without the hassle of crowded ticketed sites.