An aerial photo of the Haohe River scenic area in Nantong on July 26 [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Haohe River, widely regarded as the mother river in Nantong, Jiangsu province, is one of the four best-preserved ancient moats in China.

Located in downtown Nantong, the scenic area was affected by various issues in the 1970s, such as water pollution, unapproved construction projects and a lingering stench from waste transfer stations.

A manmade beach on the bank of the Haohe River in Nantong [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Over the past two decades, the local government has spent more than 5 billion yuan ($724.5 million) to improve the water quality and restore the surrounding landscapes. Nearly 100 parks and a museum cluster have also been built in the scenic area.

It is now a national 5A tourist attraction that receives about eight million visitors from home and abroad each year.