Dongdajie, a historic neighborhood in Rugao, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat: rugaofabu]

Rugao recently won the title of Jiangsu Provincial Ecological Garden City, local media outlets reported.

In recent years, Rugao has adhered to the concept of "clear water and lush mountains are invaluable assets," and worked to push forward the restoration of natural landscapes.

A number of parks, running tracks for public fitness, and roadside green belts were built, with the utilization rate of urban land being greatly improved.

Boasting more than 2,000 years of history, the city has endeavored to maintain its original layout and restore historic sites, such as Dinghui Temple and Dongdajie historical neighborhood, aiming to merge its profound cultural resources with its modern development.

Efforts have also been made to clean polluted streams, improve the water environment, and develop a "sponge city" to prevent waterlogging.

The local government has also given full play to the city's booming gardening industry, as well as included villages outside the urban area into the landscaping project, promoting the integrated development of urban and rural areas.