Things to do in Rugao

No. 4 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Nantong

Shuihui Garden

Shuihui Garden resembles the gardens of Suzhou, with similar small bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and towers. Today, Shuihui Garden has been expanded and is no longer just a classical garden; it now also includes an amusement park and a zoo. The entire attraction is divided into several sections. The Gudan Garden outside is a place to view bonsai, with several bonsai trees that are over a century old. Shuiming Pavilion is the highlight of the garden. The redwood bamboo lattice in the inner chamber is extremely delicate, with the branches and leaves on the countless bamboo stalks intricately carved. Other attractions within the site include the Huyuan Memorial Hall. Visitors with children can also visit the zoo and amusement park to the north.

Rugao Ancient City

Rugao Ancient City is located in Rugao City and is divided into an inner city and an outer city, round on the outside and square on the inside, resembling an ancient coin. The inner city has the Yudai River but no city walls, and features 6 city gates. The outer city has theHao Riverand city walls, with 4 city gates and 2 water gates in the east and north.

Henry C Lee Museum of Forensic Sciences

International criminal investigation expert Li Changyu is from Rugao. The museum collects a large number of pictures, audio-visual and physical materials donated by him. Among them, the forensic tools used by Li Changyu and the various medals he has won are very valuable, as if bringing people into the museum. The detection scene of one international case. Dr. Li Changyu was born in Rucheng Changxiang in 1938. He went to study in the United States in 1965. In 1998, he became the commissioner of the Connecticut State Police Department and became a state-level Chinese police officer in the United States. It has played an important role in major cases such as post-forensic investigations. Although the museum is not well-known and there are not many tourists, criminal investigation fans will still be excited when they see tools such as tweezers, bottles, rulers, magnifying glasses and other tools used in case-solving and identification.

No. 13 of Family-friendly Attractions in Jiangsu

Nantong Forest Safari Park

Nantong Forest Safari ParkA large-scale integrated tourism project combining scenic attractions, circus performances, specialty dining, leisure entertainment, and science educationThe park features drive-through, walk-through, and the Yangtze River Delta's unique boat-through viewing modes. Divided into multiple themed zones, visitors can see rare animals from around the world like lions, kangaroos, and pandas. Each zone is meticulously designed to replicate the animals' natural habitats, allowing visitors to observe wildlife while learning about their behaviors and ecological significance. Beyond animal viewing, the park offers diverse interactive activities. Visitors can participate in feeding experiences for close encounters with animals or learn about wildlife conservation under expert guidance.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

The Bund

Located along the Huangpu River, The Bund is a landmark attraction of Shanghai, renowned for its diverse architectural styles and the night views of the river. Dozens of historic buildings in varied styles stand here, including the famous Bank of China Building, Peace Hotel, Customs House, and HSBC Building, which together recall the grandeur of the former "Wall Street of the Far East." Though these buildings were designed by different architects and built in different periods, they present a uniquely harmonious beauty. Architectural styles range from Gothic Revival and Neoclassical to Baroque and Art Deco, and strolling among them is like leafing through a history of modern architecture. As night falls, lights on both banks reflect each other across the water. Board a Huangpu River cruise or ferry and drift along the river with the breeze on your face—on one side, the historic buildings that witnessed the passage of time; on the other, the modern skyline of Lujiazui; and at the northern end, the silhouette of the Waibaidu Bridge adds its own charm. From a different vantage point, you can take in the prosperity and heritage of this metropolis.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Shanghai Disney Resort

Shanghai Disney Resort is located in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, and is the first of its kind in mainland China.Disney ResortHere, you can experience many unforgettable moments.DisneylandClassic attractions include the grand Disney castle, pirate-themed lands, and the extended Disney parade route, immersing you in the magic of the kingdom. Shanghai Disney Resort ▲Shanghai Disney Resort is divided into eight uniquely themed lands, including Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland at Shanghai Disneyland, Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land, Adventure Isle at Shanghai Disneyland, Treasure Cove, Tomorrowland, and Zootopia. Guests of all ages can find their own magical experience here. ▲Mickey Avenue As soon as you enter the Shanghai Disney Resort, you'll step onto Mickey Avenue. Here, Mickey's friends like Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto gather for joyful meet-and-greets, where you can interact with your favoriteDisneyFriends share warm hugs and snap photos together. Among the vibrant shops lining the streets, M Street Shopping Arcade offers the widest selection of gifts and souvenirs within the park. ▲#Gardens of Imagination# Gardens of Imagination consists of seven uniquely themed magical gardens. You can spin with joy on the Fantasia Carousel, soar through the skies aboard Dumbo the Flying Elephant, or enjoy signature Shanghai Disney Resort entertainment like castle stage shows and the "Momentous" nighttime spectacular. Visitors can also admire the world's longest route from various vantage points here.DisneyThemed float parade – "Mickey's Storybook Express". ▲#Fantasyland# Shanghai Disney Resort's Fantasyland is one of the largest themed lands in the park and home to the magnificent Enchanted Storybook Castle. In this fairytale wonderland, animation fans can explore the Hundred Acre Wood with Winnie the Pooh, wander through Alice's Curious Labyrinth, join the Seven Dwarfs on a mine train adventure, soar across London's skies aboard Peter Pan's Flight, or drift along Voyage to the Crystal Grotto past familiarDisneyStory. ▲#Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land# Here, you can hop aboard Slinky Dog's coiled spring for a joyful spin around a giant dog bowl filled with toy bones. Rex invites everyone to ride remote-controlled rockets for an exhilarating adventure along a long U-shaped track. Additionally, you can visit Al's Toy Barn to purchase your favorite games, toys, apparel, pins, and more. ▲#Adventure Isle# Step into Adventure Isle at Shanghai Disney Resort and you'll feel like you've discovered an ancient tribe. The towering Roaring Rapids will guide your journey through Adventure Isle. Forge your own path at Camp Discovery, soar across the world and through time on Soarin' Over the Horizon, or venture deep into Adventure Isle on a raft through Roaring Rapids to explore the dark domain of a mysterious giant creature. ▲#Treasure Cove# "Treasure Cove" is the first pirate-themed land in Disney parks worldwide. "Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure" transforms a water ride into an exhilarating adventure. Adventurous visitors can paddle through the beautiful bay on Explorer Canoes, step aboard a pirate ship's deck, and feast at Barbossa's Bounty. ▲#Tomorrowland# "Tomorrowland" is brimming with infinite possibilities and embodies a bright vision of the future. Star WarsAdventure attraction "Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue"Guiding visitors to forge ahead and transcend limits, the Jet Packs let people break free from gravity's constraints. Wrapped beneath a massive semi-transparent dome that shimmers with radiant colors, the Tron Lightcycle Power Run entices visitors to mount these two-wheeled lightcycle formations and take on a global challenge.DisneylandOne of the more thrilling and intense roller coaster rides. ▲#Zootopia# "Zootopia" is another unique highlight at Shanghai Disney Resort, where new attractions, entertainment shows, merchandise, and dining options will provide visitors with even more magical experiences. The all-new themed land will transport guests into the vibrant metropolis of Zootopia, where "every animal has infinite possibilities." Visitors will also join Judy and Nick, the beloved protagonists from this Oscar-winning film, on an exhilarating adventure. ▲Disneytown Disneytown is a large shopping, dining, and entertainment district at Shanghai Disney Resort, located adjacent to the resort and open to the public free of charge. This charming international neighborhood offers an unforgettable experience where visitors can enjoy delicious cuisine while taking in the breathtaking views of Shanghai Disney Resort. The Walt Disney Grand Theatre in Disneytown stages classic Broadway musicals. ▲Park dining Shanghai Disney Resort features numerous themed restaurants scattered throughout its various themed lands, including Barbossa's Bounty, Royal Banquet Hall, Pinocchio Village Kitchen, Tribal Table, Mickey & Pals Market Café, Stargazer Grill, and Tangled Tree Tavern. These dining venues offer a wide array of Eastern and Western cuisines, specialty snacks, and delectable desserts, ensuring your magical journey is filled with unforgettable flavors. ▲Theme hotels "Shanghai Disney Resort Hotel" and "Toy Story Hotel ShanghaiLocated right next to Shanghai Disney Resort, the prime location offersDisney magical journeyFrom day to night, these two hotels combineDisney storiesThe themed design tells a captivating story, offering guests warm and thoughtful service, diverse entertainment activities, culinary delights, shopping experiences, and various leisure options—all infused with the charm of China.DisneyExperience. Guests staying at Disney hotels canEarliest admission time: 1 hour in advanceDuring your visit, if you purchase merchandise at Shanghai Disney Resort, it can be delivered free of charge to your hotel. The hotel also offers luggage storage services. Additionally, complimentary shuttle buses and ferries operate between the two hotels and Shanghai Disney Resort, providing convenient transportation.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

West Lake

West Lake is the core scenery of Hangzhou, with cloud-covered mountains on three sides and the city on one, and the two long causeways, Su Causeway and Bai Causeway, lie across the lake surface, dividing the water into several stretches large and small. Among the lakeside highlights, the "Ten Scenes of West Lake" handed down from the Southern Song dynasty rank first, and together with the later "New Ten Scenes of West Lake" and the "Three Reviews of the Ten Scenes of West Lake," over a hundred attractions spread out along the lake shore and the surrounding mountains, with pavilions, terraces, temples, and pagodas, gardens, causeways, and islands setting off one another against the distant mountains and nearby waters; the legend of the Broken Bridge, where Bai Niangzi and Xu Xian met, adds a touch of story to the lake and hills. There is no need to insist on visiting every spot; simply choosing a stretch of shoreline and wandering slowly is pleasant enough. You can explore West Lake on foot, by cycling, by the sightseeing electric shuttle that circles the lake, or by boat. The shuttle route makes exactly one full loop around the lake, saving effort and being convenient; cycling along the lakeside is leisurely and romantic, with many public bicycle rental points along the shore; if you want to take a boat, the several piers around the lake offer different boat types and routes, and it is recommended to take a boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon in the center of the lake while enjoying the lake views from the water along the way; alternatively, you can hail a rowboat at the lakeside and let the boatman row you around the lake for a more free and flexible experience. Attractions on the north shore are concentrated. The usual route starts from Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge in the northeast corner, follows Bai Causeway to Solitary Hill, and along the way you can see cultural views such as the Xiling Seal Art Society, the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, the China Seal Museum, and Zhongshan Park–Pavilion for Releasing Cranes, taste a bowl of authentic West Lake vinegar fish at Louwailou, and then pass Xiling Bridge to the Temple of King Yue and Breeze-Ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden. In summer when the sun is strong, you might instead walk along Beishan Road, hide under the dense shade of the trees, and look at the curve of Broken Bridge and the swaying weeping willows on Bai Causeway; along the way there are many entrances where you can climb Baoshi Hill for high views; in the evening, the live performance Impression West Lake on Yue Lake is also well worth seeing. If you have plenty of time and energy, you can also get on the Su Causeway from around the Temple of King Yue and walk to enjoy the full view of West Lake. Hubin Road to Nanshan Road along the southeast shore is another area with a dense concentration of attractions. Hubin Road sits at the junction of the urban area and the scenic area, right next to the downtown commercial district, making it suitable for a short stop for travelers on a tight itinerary; by the lake there is also the iconic musical fountain and a cruise pier. From Hubin Road heading south along Nanshan Road, Orioles Singing in the Willows, the Long Bridge, Leifeng Pagoda, and Evening Bell at Nanping Hill line up one after another, and further west is Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor. The distances between adjacent attractions are convenient to cover on foot or by sightseeing bus, and you can choose a few to visit according to your preferences. Leifeng Pagoda and Evening Bell at Nanping Hill are best scheduled for the evening—listening to the bell at Jingci Temple and climbing Leifeng Pagoda to look down over the lakes and hills in the twilight are both excellent experiences.

Dinghui Zen Temple

Dinghui Temple is surrounded by water on all sides, with elegant scenery. The tower is 7 stories high, and the layers are different in style. What is more interesting is that the gate of Dinghui Temple faces north. The Guanyin Pagoda is the landmark of the temple. The tower is 45 meters high. It can be seen from a distance. Climbing the seven-story Guanyin Pagoda, you can not only overlook the entire temple, but also see half of Rugao's old city.

No. 11 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shanghai

TASTE OF CHINA Immersive Chinese Restaurant

Nestled within Shanghai's century-old landmark, the Old Municipal Government Building, "Taste of China" is an immersive dining experience created by Trip.com Group as a panoramic cultural destination space. Through multi-sensory interactive technology, witness the roaring Yellow River waterfalls beside you and the misty Li River landscapes unfolding on your table—each bite captures China's majestic beauty. Chef Panda "Bao Bao" guides you through seven signature Chinese dishes, unlocking a millennia-spanning journey from ancient to modern China. Deconstructing travel views through digital art and bridging cultural gaps with culinary philosophy, global diners here don't just savor premium Chinese cuisine—they embark on a profound "from palate to soul" odyssey: tasting China, understanding China, and ultimately falling in love with China.

Jiuhua Dizang Temple