Dinghui Zen Temple

Located in the southeast corner of Rugao's old city, Dinghui Zen Temple faces the Yudai River at its main gate, borders the Releasing Pond to the east, and is flanked by the Yulian Pond to the southwest. The temple's layout is in the shape of the Chinese character "回" (return), with halls and buildings surrounding a central courtyard where the main hall stands. This creates a unique structure where "water surrounds the temple, and buildings embrace the hall." Its most distinctive feature is the north-facing temple gate and the towering seven-story, octagonal Guanyin Pagoda. From the top of the pagoda, visitors can see both the old and new cities of Rugao, encircled by the moat. Opposite the temple is the former site of Rugao Public Normal School.