Another public park scene: Practicing tai chi.

Traditional nightlife: Local artists perform pingtan, singing long ballads, adapted from folklore and historical stories.

Meanwhile, China's best primary and middle education system took root in Wuxi and nearby Suzhou and Hangzhou, producing thousands of senior officials, prestigious scholars and successful businessmen from the Song Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.

Suzhou and Hangzhou, two cities famous for their picturesque landscapes, comfortable lifestyle and wealth in south Jiangsu and north Zhejiang provinces, are two important references in defining Wuxi's identity.

In the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), the Wu kingdom, with Wuxi as its capital, was stronger than the Yue kingdom, where Hangzhou is located. The agricultural conditions of Wu were much better than those of Yue, which reaped the rewards of mountains and seas. Wu people were mild, and Yue people were tough. The Yue finally conquered the Wu.

Suzhou occupies a tricky place in the heart of Wuxi's people. In the first 2,000 years of its 3,000-year history, Wuxi was much more important a place than Suzhou. But in the past 1,000 years, Wuxi was completely overtaken by Suzhou, economically and politically.

In spite of their geographic proximity - just a one-hour drive from one to the other - the two cities have totally different characteristics. Wuxi is more industrious, pragmatic and flexible than Suzhou, which is known for its tenacity, dolce vita and self-dignity.

A popular saying in Chinese culture is that "wealth cannot last for more than three generations", because of the changes of family and society. But Wuxi is an exception. The businesspeople from Wuxi tend to form strong consortiums. And the several big families in Wuxi have closely united with one another through marriage for hundreds of years. This has ensured the stability of their wealth and status.

"We are good at making money and protecting money from wars and political movements," said Wu Bijian, a Wuxi resident in his 40s. "To grow up in Wuxi, one gets the best education of being a good man, having a good family and building a good business. I think that's the core of Wu Culture."

(China Daily 09/12/2014 page8)