Meili, the original name of Meicun sub-district, is the birthplace of Wu culture and is also known as Meili Ancient Town. At the end of the 11th century BC, Prince Taibo traveled there and helped dig the first canal in ancient China, the Bodu River, which turned swamplands into fertile fields that still nourish local people today.
Taibo Temple was first built on the former residence of Prince Taibo in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Its venerable architecture, pine plantations, and abundant cypresses make it one of the best cultural and educational bases about Wu culture in Wuxi.
The main hall of Taibo Temple houses lots of valuable plaques and inscriptions. In the middle of it is a giant life-like statue of Prince Taibo. Inside the two wingside halls are statues featuring famous Wu emperors and their assistants, including Sun Tzu (544-496 BC), author of The Art of War.
Over the centuries, Meicun has produced a great number of folk arts and crafts, the most famous one being the erhu, a traditional two-stringed musical instrument. As "the home of erhu", Meicun has become an important production hub of this instrument in China.
