Inner and Outer City Moat Scenic Belt

A national 3A-level tourist attraction, it lies at the heart of ancient Rugao City. Two moats encircle the old town, forming an outer circular and inner square layout resembling an ancient Chinese copper coin. The inner moat, formerly named Jade Belt River, took shape during the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty (1465–1487 AD). The outer moat, also known as Hao River, was excavated in the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1522–1566 AD).

More than ten historical and cultural sites scatter along the two moats, including Shezhi Pavilion dating back to the Spring and Autumn Period, Yingchun Bridge — a tall stone bridge from the Ming Dynasty, the thousand-year-old Dinghui Temple, Jixianli, a historic lane home to numerous celebrated scholars, Lingwei Taoist Temple, the foremost Taoist shrine between the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, and Fan Gong Garden built in memory of Fan Zhongyan, a distinguished statesman of the Song Dynasty. Twenty-nine bridges of varied designs span the inner and outer moats, and many ancient bridges are associated with beautiful legends and vivid historical tales. White stone railings wind along both banks of the double ring moats like giant dragons, shaded by lush trees and blooming flowers all year round. The distinctive landscape of “rivers winding around the city and the city embracing water” makes this scenic belt an enchanting landmark unique to ancient Rugao.