Rugao has a history of more than 1,600 years and was one of the first ancient towns recorded in the history of the Yangtze River Delta.

The inner and outer moats surrounding the city are a unique aspect of China's urban development throughout history.

Rugao is now known as a Jiangsu historical and cultural city and China's capital of flowers and bonsai and is renowned for the longevity of its residents.

An aerial view of Rugao, a county-level city in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Rugao, a thousand-year-old ancient city, is captured in winter on Dec 9. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

A garden during winter in Rugao, a county-level city in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/Nantong Daily]