More than 3,000 years ago, the eldest son of Emperor Zhou Taiwang, Qinbo, came here to build a city and founded the Gouwu Kingdom with his brother, Zhong Yong. Emperor Han Gaozu, the first ruler of the Han Dynasty, established a county here and called it Wuxi (which translated means no more lead or tin) because the tin and lead had been completely mined out.
Wuxi is situated in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The Great Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou runs across the entire area. 128 kilometres west of Shanghai, Wuxi lies in southern Jiangsu Province on the banks of the Jinghang Grand Canal (Jinghang dayunhe). As one of the oldest cities in Wuxi, it encompasses 3 cities and 5 districts with an area of 6,450 square kilometers and a population of 4.2 million. With fertile land, crisscrossed ports and rivers, abundant products from flourishing industry and agriculture, Wuxi is considered one of the 15 national economical centers. Wuxi is known for its natural scenic beauty and rich cultural landscapes. Beautiful rivers, lakes, springs, caves, bamboo and tea gardens are featured that form the unique style of Jiangnan (south region of Yangtze River including Southern Jiangsu, Anhui and northern Zhejiang). 
The rippling blue Taihu Lake, the ancient canal and exquisite gardens, the graceful bearing of this pottery capital, historic remains of Taibo in Xi hill, folk custom village, the native place of Xu Xiake, the most famous Chinese traveler in the Ming Dynasty in Jiangyin, the ancient battery on Yellow Hill will surely make you not to miss home.
Falling into the subtropical monsoon climate belt, Wuxi's weather is characterized by four distinct seasons. It has a humid rainy season between spring and summer, usually around June. Winter is mild with a lowest temperature of -9C. Summer is hot and humid with highs around 39C. 
Location: located between north latitude 31 07' - 32 00', east longitude 119 31' - 120 36'; situated in the middle of the Yangtze Delta, Taihu Plain southeast of Jiangsu province; the Yangtze River to the north and Taihu Lake south;183 kilometers away from Nanjing, 128 kilomenters from Shanghai
Neighboring Areas: Zhejiang, Anhui, Shandong provinces and Shanghai Municipality
Physical Features: mainly plain terrain, dotted with low mountain and hills
Population: 4.32 million
Urban Population: 1.73 million
Nationalities: Han, Hui and Manchu
Area: 4,650 sq km
Climatic Features: subtropical monsoon maritime climate; mild and humid with 4 distinct seasons; long frost-free period of 230 days, enough sunshine of 2000 hours annually
Average Temperature: annual average of 15.5 C
Rainfall: average annual of 1000 mm
Mountains: Mt. Xishan, Mt. Huisha, Mt. Junzhang, Mt. Maji
Rivers: the Yangtze River; Taihu Lake; Jinghang Canal
