The Water Painting Garden at sunset makes one feel as if they are immersed in a poetic and picturesque setting

As of January 1, 2019, Rugao has 440 centenarians, ranking first in total number in the nation. The world-famous longevity towns are not located in cold regions or remote mountain areas. Rugao, situated on the Jianghai Plain, is not only the only longevity town along China's coast but also in an industrially developed area, which is unique internationally and of obvious research value. The renowned Water Painting Garden was the retreat for Dong Xiaowan, one of the 'Eight Beauties of Qinhuai,' and Mao Pijiang, one of the 'Four Talents of the Late Ming Dynasty.' The Water Painting Garden has a history of over 400 years and is known as the premier garden of the late Ming Dynasty in China, covering an area of about 270,000 square meters. It is a cultural garden that embodies natural landscapes, human landscapes, and historical and cultural achievements, with a profound cultural heritage and local characteristics. 📍Detailed address: No. 299, Bixia Road, Rugao City, Nantong, Jiangsu 🚗Transportation guide: Public bus🚌: No. 299, Bixia Road, Rugao City, Nantong Rugao Route 102, 335, etc. 🕙Opening hours: ⌚️08:00-⌚️17:00 ⌚️17:00 stop admitting visitors 💰🎫Ticket price: Free 🌟Highlights: ❤️Water Painting Garden scenic area, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. Located in the northeast corner of the ancient city of Rugao, it covers an area of about 270,000 square meters, consisting of the Water Painting Garden and the Water Ming Tower ancient architectural complex, China Rugao Longevity Museum (Nifenglu), China Ru-style Bonsai Garden (Gudanyuan), Yiyuan, and Dongda Street historical and cultural district, among other attractions. ❤️The Water Painting Garden was once the secluded place of Mao Pijiang, a talented man from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and Dong Xiaowan, a beautiful lady from Qinhuai. The garden is a shining pearl on the plain of northern Jiangsu. The garden values water and reflections, being both elegant and refined; it expresses the owner's aspirations and memories through the garden, integrating poetry, writing, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, antiquities, and performing arts into one garden, which also demonstrates its original character as a 'scholar's garden' with a scholarly atmosphere. The garden is centered around the Washing Bowl Pool, with water flowing in four directions, dividing the garden into several parts. In addition, there are islets in the water, and on the winding waterways, there are sparsely built halls, rooms, studios, huts, two pavilions, and three pavilions, with the rest being water scenery, which highlights the garden-making characteristics of the Yangtze River Delta plain. 📌Little Tips: After leaving the scenic area, there are many shops and alleys where you can buy snacks. Rugao's baked cakes are very famous, and you should try them if you have the chance! You must try the crab buns at the nearby Sihai Building, but it's best to go in the morning, as the buns sold in the morning are freshly steamed and tastier! There are many small shops to visit in the alleys along the river in the scenic area, including shops for calligraphy, painting, and antiques!