As the birthplace of Wu culture, the history of Xinwu district dates back to more than 3,300 years ago. But, at the end of the 11th century BC, Prince Tai Bo and his brother Prince Zhong Yong, heirs to the throne of Zhou, traveled south from the present-day Qishan Mountain in Shanxi province to an area of wilderness where they stumbled upon Meili, now known as Meicun Town. Keen to avoid creating issues for the dynasty's next ruler -- Ji Li, the third and youngest son of Emperor Zhoutai -- they arrived in Meili and chose to blend in with their new neighbors, determinedly cutting their hair short and tattooing their bodies.

Under Tai Bo's guidance, the people began to construct irrigation systems, develop agriculture, plant mulberries and breed silkworms, as well as make pottery and smelt copper. Thanks in part to the favor he obtained with the locals, Tai Bo then established the Gou Wu Kingdom. His refusal to take credit for the development achievements of Jiangnan (regions south of the Yangtze River) has won Tai Bo much respect and recognition as the founding father of Wu culture and made him much admired by later generations.

For more than 3,000 years, the spirit of Wu culture, which highlights "morality, culture, pragmatism, and innovation", has been passed on from one generation to another, bringing prosperity and abundance to the region.

In 1992, Wuxi National High-tech District was established with the approval of the State Council. Three years later, approved by the State Council and the provincial government, Xinwu district was established on the basis of Wuxi National High-tech District and Wuxi New District.

Geography and Transportation

Wuxi National High-tech District (Xinwu district) is located in the southeast of Wuxi, connecting with Suzhou to the east and Taihu Lake to the south. The administrative area is 220 square kilometers. It has jurisdiction over Wangzhuang, Shuofang, Jiangxi, Meicun and Hongshan, and the Xin'an sub-districts. The latest data shows the resident population of the whole district to be 728,500 people.

Xinwu enjoys an array of water, land and air transportation options facilitated by an international airport, an intercity high-speed railway, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and a number of expressways. Wuxi Shuofang Airport, for example, currently has more than 40 direct routes to Hong Kong, Macao, Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and a number of domestic cities, and has been officially recognized as a port for 240-hour visa-free transit. The Shanghai-Nanjing Intercity High-speed Railway has three stops in Wuxi, including one located in Xinwu, shortening the travel time to Shanghai to only 30 minutes, while a trip to Beijing can be completed in just 4.5 hours.

Technological Innovation and Industrial Development

More than 30 years of development have turned Wuxi National High-tech District (Xinwu district) into Wuxi's most important economic growth pole with its role as a window opening to the outside world, a technological innovation base and a transformation development engine becoming increasingly essential. Today it encompasses a modern industrial system supported by pillar industrial clusters developing microelectronics, new energy, high-end equipment manufacturing, the Internet of Things, new materials, new-type display technology and life sciences.

Xinwu has fulfilled national strategies by developing the National Sensor Network Innovation Demonstration Zone and the South Jiangsu National Innovation Demonstration Zone at a high level. Xinwu also owns a high-caliber overseas talent innovation and entrepreneurship base, an automotive electronics and components industry base included in the National Torch Program, a national inspection and certification base, an expert service base and a smart logistics demonstration base.

Other parks whose establishment has already been approved include a national innovation park, a national ecological industry demonstration zone and a national pilot zone for intellectual property.

The district's regional gross domestic product (GDP) reached 251.57 billion yuan (34.98 billion), a 6.1-percent increase year-on-year at comparable prices, and its per capita GDP soared to 345,800 yuan, the highest among all regions of the same administrative level in the province.

The industrial sector played a pivotal role, contributing to the district's success with a total industrial output value of 650.87 billion yuan, marking a 4.9-percent rise compared to the previous year. Notably, the high-tech industry experienced rapid growth, with its output value accounting for 74.0 percent of the total industrial output, representing a 2-percentage-point increase from the previous year. Industries such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, electrical machinery, and specialized equipment all achieved double-digit growth rates.

In the services sector, enterprises above the designated scale in WND achieved an operating income of 65 billion yuan, marking a 9.0-percent year-on-year increase and securing the top position in the city. Noteworthy growth was observed in scientific research and technology services, leasing and business services, and internet and related services, with growth rates of 29.1 percent, 21.6 percent, and 20.1 percent, respectively.

The actual foreign investment in WND reached $1.14 billion, ranking first in Wuxi. Manufacturing accounted for the majority, with actual foreign investment totaling $818 million, 71.5 percent of the district's total. Additionally, WND maintained its position as the city's leader in foreign trade, with total imports and exports reaching 356.39 billion yuan.

The retail sales of consumer goods reached 42.69 billion yuan in 2023, up 1.8 percent year-on-year. The general public budget revenue reached 26.22 billion yuan, ranking first in the city. The urban residents' per capita disposable income stood at 75,300 yuan, a 4.6-percent increase year-on-year and surpassing the city average by 0.1 percentage points.

Perfect for Living and Working

Wuxi National High-tech District (Xinwu district) has established a sound public cultural service system recognized by the Ministry of Culture. The district makes every effort to meet people's high expectations for modern, balanced, intelligent and international education. The development of a three-level medical treatment alliance and smart medical system has also been accelerated in a bid to provide comprehensive, full-cycle health services to the public. Xinwu has a vision of creating a green space service cycle which has parks reachable within a 10-minute walk.

By the end of 2022, WND was home to 68 kindergartens, 38 primary and middle schools, three public high schools, three international schools, and one special education school. It also had 256 medical institutions, including six general hospitals and eight community healthcare centers.

International Life

Xinwu has a foreign population of 6,000. International communities such as Sekisui Residence and Yamato Housing provide expats with a world-class living environment while Boston St. Joseph International School, Wuxi Korean School, Eaton International School and other global institutions ensure high-quality education for their children. High-end hospitals, international banks, deluxe hotels and large shopping malls have also helped establish a community containing all of the comforts of home.

Wu Culture and its Timeless Appeal

As the birthplace of Jiangnan civilization and Wu culture, the great historical figures that have had a good influence on Xinwu's history are always remembered, educating people on such aspects as ethics, marital harmony and bravery. The highly appraised Wuxi Qian family has produced plenty of notable figures and famous scholars, including six academicians belonging to the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering in the modern age. They include cultural master Qian Mu (1895-1990) and dynamics expert Qian Weichang (1912-2010).

The cultural atmosphere is especially strong at heritage sites such as Taibo Tomb, Taibo Temple, Bodu ditch, Hongshan Relic Museum, Jinghui Temple, and the former residences of Qian Mu and Qian Weichang.

Scenery with Hills and Waters

Xinwu is located in the core protection zone of Taihu Lake Scenic Area, bestowed with the picturesque landscape of Hongshan and loved for its fresh air. Over 10,000 mu (667 hectares) of farmland weaves through the region, showing off a different kind of tranquility. Other attractions include Lianghong National Wetland Park, Jiangsu Province Hongshan Tourism Resort, Hongshan Urban Agricultural Ecological Park and Taihu Lake Wetland Park.