Wuxi

Wuxi
无锡市
Prefecture-level city
Clockwise from top: Yunfu Mansion, Grand Buddha at Ling Shan, Lihu Lake, city canal, Liyuan Gardens
Motto(s): Wuxi is full of warmth and water

Location of Wuxi City jurisdiction in Jiangsu
Wuxi
Location in China
Coordinates: 31°34′N 120°18′E / 31.567°N 120.300°E / 31.567; 120.300Coordinates: 31°34′N 120°18′E / 31.567°N 120.300°E / 31.567; 120.300
Country People's Republic of China
Province Jiangsu
County-level divisions 9
Township-level divisions 73
Government
 • CPC Municipal Secretary Li Xiaomin
 • Acting Mayor Huang Qin(黄钦）
Area
 • Prefecture-level city 4,628 km2 (1,787 sq mi)
Population (2017 Census)
 • Prefecture-level city 6,553,000
 • Density 1,400/km2 (3,700/sq mi)
 • Urban 3,542,319
 • Metro 3,542,319
Time zone UTC+8 (China Standard)
Postal code Urban center: 214000
Other Area: 214200, 214400
Area code(s) 510
ISO 3166 code CN-JS-02
License plate prefixes 苏B
GDP (2017) CNY 1.05118trillion
 - per capita CNY 160412
HDI 0.909 - very high
Local Dialect Wu: Wuxi dialect
Website www.wuxi.gov.cn
Wuxi
"Wuxi" in Simplified (top) and Traditional (bottom) Chinese characters
Simplified Chinese 无锡
Traditional Chinese 無錫
Hanyu Pinyin PRC Standard Mandarin: Wúxī
ROC Standard Mandarin: Wúxí

Wuxi (Chinese: 无锡) is a city in southern Jiangsu province, China. The city borders two other large cities, Changzhou to the west and Suzhou to the east, and borders Zhejiang Province as well in the south. It also covers a coastline of the Yangtze River in the north and two separate coasts of Lake Tai. Wuxi is noted for its modern industry and commerce, along with its resorts around Lake Tai.Wuxi is a famous historical and cultural city of China. It has been a land of fish and rice since ancient times. It is known as cloth wharf, money wharf, kiln wharf, silk capital and rice market. Wuxi is the cradle of China's national industry and township industry, and the birthplace of South of Jiangsu's model. Wuxi culture belongs to Wu Yue culture, and Wuxi people belong to Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces

Etymology

Wuxi means "without tin" literally. Despite varied tales, many modern Chinese scholars favour the view that the word dervived from the "old Yue language" or, supposedly, the old Kra–Dai languages.[1][2][3]

History

Pre-Qin and Qin dynasties

There is an account about brothers Taibo and Zhongyong among several ones that they made Meicun the state of Wu's capital. The region was variously occupied by the state of Yue, Chu and Qin.

Han dynastsy

Wuxi county was founded in 202 BC originally. It was a part of Kuaiji Commandery during the Western Han, later Wu Commandery.[2] As a part of Wang Mang's regime, the place name Wuxi was once changed to Youxi (有錫), meaning "with tin", until his death.

Six dynasties, Tang and Song dynasties

The county was dissovled during the Three Kingdoms, but restored in 280. It was annexed by Jinling Commandery , then Changzhou, since the Eastern Jin.[2] Agriculture and the silk industry flourished in Wuxi and the town became a transportation center under the early Tang Dynasty after the construction of the Grand Canal. Although Suzhou became the center of the Wu area, Wuxi was also important in the county of Wu.

Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties

The front of Donglin Academy

Donglin Academy, which was restored in Wuxi 1604, is the cradle of Donglin movement.

During the Taiping Rebellion, Wuxi was devastated by the war's destruction, like other parts of the lower Yangtze valley. Warfare disrupted planting in the region.[4]

During the late 19th century, Wuxi became a center of the textile industry in China and one of the four most important rice markets nationwide. By 1878, Wuxi was the leading silk-producing county in Jiangsu, outstripping even Suzhou, the traditional center of that industry. In the late 19th century, Wuxi was also the regional center for the waterborne transport of grain and a major commercial center.

Geography

The city plan, as is typical of many older Chinese cities, is of a central city with a roughly circular plan, crisscrossed with older canals, the main canal still seeing heavy barge traffic.

Wuxi itself is on an alluvial plain of deep sedimentary deposits cut between limestone foothills, making it one of the sources for "scholar's rocks", the intricately weathered stones which were used as devices for contemplation.

Climate

Wuxi is hot and humid in summer and chilly and damp in winter, with an average annual temperature of 18 °C (64 °F) and very occasional snow. Because of its proximity to the East China Sea, it has a monsoon season and receives 100 centimetres (39 inches) of rain annually.

Climate data for Wuxi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 7.4
(45.3)		 9.1
(48.4)		 13.5
(56.3)		 20.0
(68)		 25.4
(77.7)		 28.6
(83.5)		 31.8
(89.2)		 30.9
(87.6)		 27.0
(80.6)		 21.9
(71.4)		 16.0
(60.8)		 9.9
(49.8)		 20.1
(68.2)
Average low °C (°F) 0.2
(32.4)		 1.8
(35.2)		 5.7
(42.3)		 11.1
(52)		 16.5
(61.7)		 21.3
(70.3)		 24.9
(76.8)		 24.0
(75.2)		 19.6
(67.3)		 13.4
(56.1)		 7.3
(45.1)		 1.7
(35.1)		 12.2
(54)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 47.3
(1.862)		 49.7
(1.957)		 82.5
(3.248)		 62.4
(2.457)		 79.8
(3.142)		 138.5
(5.453)		 121.8
(4.795)		 99.1
(3.902)		 53.7
(2.114)		 41.2
(1.622)		 39.5
(1.555)		 28.1
(1.106)		 843.6
(33.213)
Source: MSN Weather[5]
Map showing the city Wuxi (Arrowed ) and its relation to the City of Shanghai, The Yangtze River and Lake Tai.

Demographics

According to the 2010 Census, the prefecture-level of Wuxi has a population of 6,372,624, an increase of 1,192,777 from the 2000 census, giving it a population growth of 20.9% for the period 2000-2010.[6]

Administration

The prefecture-level city of Wuxi administers seven county-level divisions, including 5 districts and 2 county-level cities. The information here presented uses the metric system and data from 2010 Census.

These districts are sub-divided into 73 township-level divisions, including 59 towns and 24 subdistricts.

Map
Name Chinese Hanyu Pinyin Population (2010) Area (km2) Density (/km2)
City Proper
Liangxi District 梁溪区 Liángxī Qū 944,188 71.50 13,205.43
Suburban
Xishan District 锡山区 Xīshān Qū 681,300 399.11 1,707.05
Huishan District 惠山区 Huìshān Qū 691,059 325.12 2,125.55
Binhu District 滨湖区 Bīnhú Qū 688,965 628.15 1,096.82
Xinwu District 新吴区 Xīnwú Qū 536,807 220.01 2,439.92
Satellite cities (County-level cities)
Jiangyin City 江阴市 Jiāngyīn Shì 1,594,829 986.97 1,615.88
Yixing City 宜兴市 Yíxīng Shì 1,235,476 1,996.61 618.79
Total 6,372,624 4,627.46 1,377.13
Defunct: Chong'an District, Nanchang District, & Beitang District

Economy

Wuxi is a regional business hub with a GDP per capita of ¥126,000 in 2014, ranking it first in Jiangsu, ahead of Nanjing and Suzhou.[7]

The city has a rapidly developing skyline with the opening of three supertall skyscrapers (300 metres or 980 feet) in 2014. These buildings are the Wuxi IFS, Wuxi Suning Plaza 1, and Wuxi Maoye City - Marriott Hotel. There are 7 other skyscrapers between 200 and 300 metres (660 and 980 feet) tall including the Yunfu Mansion.

Manufacturing zones

The city has extensive manufacturing including large industrial parks devoted to new industries. Historically a center of textile manufacturing, the city has adopted new industries such as electric motor manufacturing, MRP software development, and solar technology. Two major photovoltaic companies, Suntech Power and Jetion Holdings Ltd, are based in Wuxi, making the city a hub for solar technology in China. Bicycle manufacturing for international brands is another industry, including bicycle assembly and bicycle component manufacturing. One of the two Chinese factories of Taiwan-based brake manufacturer Tektro is in Wuxi. Hynix completed a new chip plant in Wuxi.[8]

Wuxi New District

Since it was established in 1992, Wuxi New District (WND) has evolved to be one of the major industrial parks in China. A wide variety of components, sub-systems and original equipments are made in WND. Approximately 1200 enterprises have been registered in WND by the end of 2008. Wuxi New District provides strong support for international manufacturing operations. The Zone focuses on formation of the five pillar industries of electronic information, precision machinery and mechanical and electrical integration, bio-pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals and new materials.[9]

Wuxi Export Processing Zone

Established in 1992, Wuxi Export Processing Zone is located in Wuxi New District with a planned area of 2.98 km2. The encouraged industries include electronic information, optical-mechanical-electronic-integration, precision machinery, and new materials. It is situated near to Wuxi Airport and Changzhou Port.[10]

Culture

As an important city for the "Wu" area, Wuxi is one of the art and cultural centers of "Jiangnan". Its culture bears distinctive characteristics, which can be identified in its dialect, architecture, waterway transportation and various art types. Local folk arts include Huishan clay figurines and clay teapots.

Several famous Chinese authors claim Wuxi as their home town. Among them, most recently, Qian Zhongshu, author of Fortress Besieged, a comedy of manners set in China in the 1930s. Wuxi was the birthplace of the famous Chinese (later American) artist Chen Chi (1912—2005), in whose honor a museum has been erected in the city.

In modern times Wuxi has produced a number of cultural figures such as Hua Yanjun (1893–1950) also known as "Blind Abing" (瞎子阿炳), famous for his erhu and pipa music. Another famous musician is Liu Tianhua, who was the first to compile folk music using staff.

Tourism

Nanchan Temple and Pagoda

Wuxi is a major tourist area of the Lower Yangtze Delta. It has natural and man-made places of interest.

The city was built on the shore of Lake Tai with the lake providing a rich tourism resource. Noted spots include Yuantouzhu (the Islet of Turtlehead) and Taihu Xiandao (Islands of the Deities). Passengers can enjoy the scenery of Lake Tai and the city center on a 115-metre (377 ft) tall Ferris wheel that takes 18 minutes to complete one revolution. At night, lighting effects are switched on around the wheel.[11]

Literally "Tin Mountain" and "Kindhearted Mountain", Mount Xi and Mount Hui are two small hills in the western part of the city. The classic royal Ji-chang-yuan Gardens are at the foot of the hill as well as the Tianxia di er quan (天下第二泉), literally "the second spring under heaven").

Jichang Garden

The Grand Canal passes through the city. There are two canals: one is the old one that has been there since it was excavated, the other is the new canal created after 1949.

Wuxi has many private gardens or parks built by learned scholars and rich people in the past. Among these, Li Yuan, Mei Yuan are good examples that have been well preserved. Xihui Gongyuan (Xihui Park),at the foot of Xi Shan also houses historical relics, notably Jichang Garden. Lihu Park is another popular park, owing it popularity to legends that Fan Li and Xi Shi boated here. Fragrant Cedar Pavilion (Chinese: 香楠厅; pinyin: Xiāngnán tīng) is a protected site, which was dedicated in the Ming dynasty to Consort Duan by her father after her execution for involvement in an assassination attempt against the Jiajing Emperor.[12]

The dome made of lights of the Holy Altar in Brahma Palace, near the Grand Buddha at Ling Shan

Wuxi's Mashan Town was built during 16th–19th century A.D.. The town is in the northwest part of Wuxi on the west bank of the Grand Canal and at the foot of Mount Hui. The town's buildings are mainly family ancestral halls. South of the Long Mountain, near the town, is the 88 metres (289 ft) tall Grand Buddha at Ling Shan, one of the largest Buddha statues in China and the ninth tallest statue worldwide.

In the western part of Wuxi, the district is classified as a AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration and consists of Wuxi Three State City Park, Tang City, and Shuihu City. Established in 1987, it was the first film studio in China. CCTV Wuxi Film/TV Studio used the studio for the shooting of The Three Kingdoms and Water Margins.[13]

In Yixing (part of Wuxi), Shan Juan Cave is a four-star scenic zone. The folktale figures of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai were said to study behind the cave.

Other historical places include the former residence of Xue Fucheng, former residence of A Bin, former residence of Xu Xiake, site of Luotuo Dun, Taibo Temple and Tomb, and Donglin Shuyuan.

Sports

Wuxi football stadium

Wuxi has two stadiums. The old stadium is in the southern part of the city and has yet to reopen. The other is Wuxi New Stadium, which consists of a swimming stadium, soccer stadium and other facilities. It is located in the south-west part of the city, near Lake Tai. Major League Baseball has also had its main Chinese Development Center in Wuxi since 2008. At the Development Center, Major League Baseball scouts and recruits the best players in China to play at the DC in the hopes that they will eventually play professional baseball in America.

Transport

Railways

Wuxi is situated on the Shanghai–Nanjing Intercity High-Speed Railway, linking it directly with the provincial capital of Nanjing (1.5 hours), China's economic hub, Shanghai (45 minutes) and major economic hub and tourist destination Suzhou (24 minutes).

Air transport

Sunan Shuofang International Airport (IATA: WUX) opened in 2004 and serves the cities of Wuxi and Suzhou. It is situated 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from the city centre and has direct flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, and Osaka.

Expressways and highways

Expressways:

National highways:

Provincial roads:

Metro

See also

References

  1. ↑ Zhou, You, Zhenhe, Rujia (1986). 方言与中国文化. Shanghai People's Publishing House. pp. 153–4. ISBN 9787208009653.
  2. 1 2 3 中国历史大辞典·历史地理卷 [The Great Encyclopaedia of Chinese history, Volume on Historical Geography] (in Chinese). Shanghai Cishu Press. 1996. p. 105. ISBN 7-5326-0299-0.
  3. ↑ Zhengzhang, Shangfang (2012). "古吴越地名中的侗台语成分, 古越语地名人名解义". 郑张尚芳语言学论文集 [Zhengzhang Shangfang's Symposium on Linguistics]. Zhonghua Book Company. ISBN 9787101061055.
  4. ↑ 曾国藩（清）：〈江西牙厘请照旧经收折〉，收于《曾文正公全集》 (in Chinese). 上海世界书局. 1936. p. 534-636. templatestyles stripmarker in |publisher= at position 1 (help)
  5. ↑ "MSN Weather". June 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2009.
  6. ↑ (in Chinese) Compilation by LianXin website. Data from the Sixth National Population Census of the People's Republic of China Archived 2012-03-25 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ City of Wuxi (2013-09-26). "【2012】无锡市国民经济和社会发展概况".
  8. ↑ Hynix completes new chip plant in China
  9. ↑ "RightSite.asia - Wuxi New District".
  10. ↑ RightSite.asia | Wuxi Export Processing Zone
  11. ↑ synyan (2008-10-19). 梁溪漫志(07)：蠡湖城太湖之星 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2012-04-25.
  12. ↑ Gu 谷, Yuefei 岳飞 (13 July 2013). "无锡曹端妃无字牌坊穿越470年 系真实版"甄嬛传"" [Consort Duan's blank memorial in Wuxi extends back over 470 years. This is the true "Empresses in the Palace"]. China News (in Chinese). Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  13. ↑ "AAAAA Scenic Areas". China National Tourism Administration. 16 November 2008. Archived from the original on 4 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
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