Marching towards the new epoch, Nantong seeks to develop an economy with minimal cost to the environment. Dongbuzhou Long Beach Park in Linjiang New Area, built where chemical plants used to be set up, crystallizes this development concept, redefining the place with sustainability, culture and technology.

The city of strength surprisingly has a delicate side, with the two elements complimentary to each other.

Nantong showcased how much it focuses on details in pursuit of perfection while foreign visitors watched the sophisticated violin-making process. Beatrice Fanetti, an Italian opera singer and language teacher, was thrilled by how a violin came into being. "I know, of course, how violins are made in theory, but finally, I could see it in person," she said.

"Almost all the fine violins are hand-made by experienced craftsmen," said Li Guoqiang, who has been a violin maker since 2002. "Even a small violin component can greatly influence the sound quality."