Rugao, a city northwest of Shanghai, stands out as a global longevity hotspot. With over 600 residents aged 100 or more, it offers researchers valuable insights into living longer and healthier lives.
- Rugao houses 672 centenarians among 1.3 million people.
- Mineral-rich soil and daily habits support longevity.
- Studies highlight openness, activity, and well-being.
What happened
Rugao, an ancient city several hundred miles northwest of Shanghai, is now recognized as a key area where residents live significantly longer than average. By February 2026, the city was home to 672 people aged over 100 years—about five times more per million population than the global average. This surprising concentration of super-agers has attracted scientific interest, turning Rugao into a real-world laboratory for studying longevity.
Research has linked the city's longevity to various factors including mineral-rich soil where local produce is grown, active daily routines, and low-stress lifestyles. Earlier foundational studies dating back to 2007 have laid a strong groundwork, confirming that long-lived villagers tend to have higher subjective well-being and maintain physical and social activities well into advanced age.
Why it feels good
What stands out in Rugao is not just lifespan but healthspan—living healthier for longer. Residents describe simple but meaningful daily routines such as early rising, light exercise, time outdoors, and social interactions. These habits appear to cultivate lower stress and greater emotional resilience, qualities shared among 'super-agers' worldwide.
Psychosocial factors like curiosity, openness, and kindness also emerge as common threads. The older residents engage in cognitively and physically stimulating activities, supporting research showing that emotional competence and active lifestyles contribute to longevity. These findings reinforce that how we live day-to-day deeply impacts how well we age.
What to enjoy or watch next
For those fascinated by longevity research, following the ongoing Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study offers a window into future discoveries about aging better. Exploring related videos and interviews featuring centenarians from Rugao provides inspiring stories that blend culture, tradition, and science.
Additionally, reading about global longevity hotspots known as Blue Zones can enrich our understanding of how communities can create environments that nurture long, fulfilling lives. Embracing simple lifestyle adjustments like regular outdoor activity, nutritious diets rich in vegetables, and social connections are easy, manageable steps everyone can try.