Taicang has a history of more than 4,500 years. It was an important seaport and business hub, known as the "dock of six dynasties". Zheng He, the great navigator of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) , set out from Taicang on his seven great naval expeditions. In 1497, the 10th year of the reign of Emperor Hongzhi of the Ming Dynasty, Taicang prefecture was established. In the first year of the Republic of China (1912), it was elevated to Taicang county, and in March 1993, it was upgraded from a county to a city.

Taicang is also known as "Loudong", as it is located east of the Loujiang River. It has been home to many talented people and has a long history of education, resulting in a unique Loudong culture. It is the origin of much classical music and the birthplace of the Chinese myth of the Cowboy and Weaver Girl.

Many legendary cultural and artistic figures were born in Taicang, including Wang Shizhen and Wu Meicun, literary giants of the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, Zhang Pu, head of Fu She (the Society of Classical Learning Restoration), Qiu Ying, a member of the Top Four University, Zhu Qizhan and Song Wenzhi, modern painters, and Wu Xiaobang, founder of a new form of Chinese dancing.

Taicang has also cultivated 11 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chinese Academy of Sciences, including Chien-Shiung Wu (Wu Jianxiong), who was honored as the "Mrs Courier of China", Steve Chu (Zhu Diwen), winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, Gu Maoxiang, Lu Youmei, Gong Zhiben, Tang Xiaowei, Tang Xiaoyuan, Zou Shichang, Huang Shengnian, Wu Jianping, and Yang Shengli.