Changshu 常熟市 |
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County-level city | |
Location in Jiangsu | |
Coordinates: 31°39′54″N 120°49′19″E / 31.665°N 120.822°ECoordinates: 31°39′54″N 120°49′19″E / 31.665°N 120.822°E | |
Country | China |
Province | Jiangsu |
Prefecture-level city | Suzhou |
Government | |
• CPC Changshu Committee Secretary | Wang Xiang |
Area | |
• Total | 1,264 km2 (488 sq mi) |
Population (2005) | |
• Total | 1,047,700 |
• Density | 830/km2 (2,100/sq mi) |
Time zone | China Standard (UTC+8) |
Postal code | 215500 |
Area code(s) | 0512 |
Website | changshu |
Changshu (Chinese: 常熟; pinyin: Chángshú; Wade–Giles: Ch'ang-shu; Suzhounese: Zaon去 so平; literally: "evergrow") 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. It is one of the most well developed counties in China: its GDP reached 97.2 billion yuan in 2007, and GDP per capita reached 91,846 yuan (ca. US$12,000), ranking among the top 10 county-level divisions nationally. In 2010, , ranking the fourth of the counties and cities of Jiangsu Province.
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.