Tongzhou District, formerly known as Tongzhou City (1993-2009) or Nantong County (1912-1993), is one of three urban districts of Nantong, Jiangsu province, China. It was a county-level city under the administration of Nantong until July 2009, when it became a district of Nantong. As of 2010, Tongzhou had a population of 1,246,400.

History

The district takes its name from its former position as the capital of Tongzhou, a prefecture of imperial China. Under the southern Song dynasty, the city controlled not just its adjacent lands but also Xisha and Dongsha, the Yangtze River shoals that eventually developed into Chongming Island. Shigang Town is located beside the Yangtze where residents made a living mainly by salt making and fishing in ancient times. In 860, Yuhuangdian (玉皇殿) was built and, six year later, the palace of Emperor Taizong of the Tang was rebuilt as the Guangyuan Temple. From the Song to the Qing dynasties, many temples were built in Shigang.

Administrative divisions

At present, Tongzhou District has 19 towns.

Climate

Local specialities

Transport