Rugao City, Nantong, Jiangsu Travel

Rugao, Jiangsu — China's Longevity Township and a famous historical and cultural city, featuring Shui Hui Garden, Dinghui Temple, Rugao Ancient City and other distinctive attractions, a 2-day experience of the perfect fusion of longevity culture and historical humanities.

1600+
Years of county history
400+
Centenarians count
100+
Historical sites
30+
Rugao specialty foods (types)
Beautiful scenery of Shui Hui Garden classical garden, Rugao City
Rugao Shui Hui Garden - Representative of Jiangnan Classical Gardens
Rugao Shui Hui Garden is one of the treasures of Jiangnan garden architecture, famous for its exquisite layout and profound cultural heritage, known as a "Famous Jiangnan Garden."

Rugao City 2-Day Longevity Culture Tour

Classical gardens, thousand-year-old temples, ancient city stroll, longevity experience

Duration
2 days, 1 night
Main Destinations
Shui Hui Garden, Dinghui Temple, Rugao Ancient City, Rugao Museum, Oriental Longevity Star Garden
Suitable For
Culture enthusiasts, history lovers, garden admirers, wellness seekers
Budget per person
¥280-¥550
01
Classical Garden Culture Tour
Shui Hui Garden · Dinghui Temple
Highlights

In the morning, visit Shui Hui Garden and admire the Jiangnan classical garden; in the afternoon, tour Dinghui Temple and experience thousand-year-old Buddhist culture; in the evening, taste Rugao's specialty longevity cuisine.

Attractions
Shui Hui Garden
National 4A-level tourist attraction, an outstanding representative of Jiangnan classical gardens. Originally built in the Ming Dynasty, famous for its exquisite layout, beautiful waterscapes and profound cultural heritage, it is the cultural calling card of Rugao.
Dinghui Temple
A thousand-year-old temple, first built during the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty. The temple architecture is simple and dignified, rich in cultural relics, an important Buddhist cultural venue and historical heritage site in Rugao.
Practical Info
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Hotels in Rugao urban area
  • Characteristic guesthouses in the ancient city
  • Wellness resort hotels
Food Recommendations
  • Rugao Ham
  • Dong Sugar
  • Linzi Tide Cake
  • Baipu Tea Dried Tofu
  • Longevity Banquet
Travel Tips
  • Shui Hui Garden is great for photos
  • Observe religious etiquette at Dinghui Temple
  • Experience traditional tea ceremony
  • Recommended to taste local longevity cuisine
02
Ancient City Longevity Experience Tour
Rugao Ancient City · Rugao Museum · Oriental Longevity Star Garden
Highlights

In the morning, stroll through Rugao Ancient City and feel the historical charm; in the afternoon, visit Rugao Museum to learn about local history; in the evening, tour the Oriental Longevity Star Garden and experience longevity culture.

Attractions
Rugao Ancient City
A well-preserved historical and cultural district with the ancient city style of a thousand-year history. Ancient buildings line both sides of the streets, with many traditional shops, showcasing Rugao's long history and culture.
Rugao Museum
A comprehensive museum showcasing Rugao's history and culture, with rich collections. Through artifacts, pictures and objects, it presents Rugao's development process and longevity culture characteristics.
Oriental Longevity Star Garden
A theme park themed around longevity culture, showcasing Rugao's cultural characteristics as China's Longevity Township. The park features longevity star statues, health knowledge displays and other facilities.
Practical Info
Transportation Guide
  • Rugao has convenient transportation with a bus station
  • Attractions in the urban area are concentrated, walkable
  • Taxi or ride-hailing services available
  • The ancient city area is suitable for walking tours
Ticket Info
  • Shui Hui Garden: ¥50
  • Dinghui Temple: ¥10
  • Rugao Ancient City: Free
  • Rugao Museum: Free
  • Oriental Longevity Star Garden: ¥20
Travel Tips
  • Museum is closed on Mondays, plan accordingly
  • The ancient city is suitable for slow-paced exploration
  • Experience health preservation exercises
  • Recommended to buy Rugao specialty products

Must-Try Foods in Rugao City

Rugao Ham

A Rugao specialty, one of China's three famous hams. Rugao ham is made from high-quality pig legs through traditional curing techniques. The meat is bright red with a rich aroma, a famous local specialty food.

Dong Sugar

A traditional Rugao famous snack with a long history. Made from high-quality flour, sugar, sesame and other ingredients, it has a crispy texture and is sweet but not greasy, a well-known local specialty snack.

Linzi Tide Cake

A traditional Rugao pastry made from high-quality glutinous rice. Soft and chewy texture with moderate sweetness, made with unique craftsmanship, a traditional food for festivals and daily consumption.

Baipu Tea Dried Tofu

A traditional Rugao soy product with a long history. Made from high-quality soybeans, with a delicate texture and rich tea aroma, it is a famous local specialty food that can be enjoyed with tea.

Rugao City Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (Mar-May): Pleasant climate, gardens in full bloom
  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Gardens at their best, great escape from heat
  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Clear and crisp weather, perfect tea season
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Experience the winter charm of the ancient city
Must-Do Experiences
  • Tour Shui Hui Garden classical garden
  • Stroll and take photos in Rugao Ancient City
  • Taste Longevity Banquet and other specialty foods
  • Learn about the secrets of Rugao's longevity culture
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. ¥80
  • Accommodation: ¥120-250/night
  • Meals: ¥70-150/day
  • Shopping: depends on personal needs
  • Transport: ¥60-100
  • Total: ¥280-550 (excluding shopping)
FAQ
  • How to get to Rugao City? → Rugao has a bus station, convenient transportation
  • Which attraction in Rugao is most worth visiting? → Shui Hui Garden and Rugao Ancient City are must-visits
  • What are some specialty souvenirs? → Rugao Ham, Dong Sugar, Linzi Tide Cake
  • How many days are recommended? → 2 days to experience longevity culture

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