Changshu

Changshu is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Suzhou, Jiangsu province, and is part of the Yangtze River Delta. It borders the prefecture-level city of Nantong to the northeast across the Yangtze River. Due to the mild climate and terrain there, it has enjoyed a high level of agriculture civilization since ancient times, and is named after this, for the first character of its name means "always, often", while the second means "ripe". The name of the adjacent county-level city of Taicang means "great granary". Changshu comprises 9 towns and 2 subdistricts and two provincial economy and technology development districts. As a historically and culturally famous city, Changshu is known for its long history, beautiful scenery and prosperity. Changshu first became an independent county in 540 AD, but in 581 was made subordinate to Suzhou. It was promoted to seat of a full prefecture in 1295, was rebuilt and fortified in the 14th century, but in 1370 was reduced again to the level of a county. In the 15th and 16th centuries Changshu was several times attacked by Japanese pirates. Changshu has traditionally been a market town for locally produced rice, corn, wheat, tea, and mulberry leaves, and since the 13th century has been a major cotton-producing district. Although administratively still a subordinate city to Suzhou, it is a provincial base of foreign trade. Currently a harbour is being developed on the Yangtze River near Changshu to service Suzhou and Wuxi.

Changsu also is a famous holiday resort. Yushan-Shanghu Scenic Spot, part of the Taihu Lake Scenic Area, Shajiabang and other cultural and historical relics attract tourists from home and abroad. The Shangsu Lake covers an area of 12 square km. It si said that Jiang Taigong, a military strategist, once fished in the lake when he secluded himself from savage King Zhou, Other places of historical interest and scenic beauty include ancient tombs, Weimo Mountain Villa, Xinfen Pavilion, Yanyuan Ga