The Bodu River in the WND, Wuxi, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

The name of Bodu River in Wuxi National Hi-Tech District, or WND, was recently included in Jiangsu's 2025 Provincial List of Place Name Cultural Heritage, in recognition of its deep historical and cultural significance.

Known as the earliest man-made canal in the Jiangnan region, the Bodu River was first dug under the leadership of Taibo, a prince and founder of the Wu State who ruled in the late Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC).

Along with the waterway came advanced farming techniques and culture from the Yellow River basin. The river stands as a testament to early ingenuity in water management, transforming marshland into fertile fields with stable harvests and laying the foundation for agricultural growth in the region.

As agriculture prospered, trade followed. Continuous dredging gradually enabled navigation, allowing the Bodu River to play a growing role in regional commerce.

Over time, it became a vital artery supporting economic expansion and social development across Jiangnan, contributing significantly to the region's broader process of settlement and civilization.

The Bodu River in the WND, Wuxi, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

Today, the riverbanks preserve nearly one kilometer of historic architecture dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and even earlier. Traditional "shop-front, workshop-back" residences sit alongside temples, pagodas, bridges, kilns and narrow canal lanes, forming a vivid waterside landscape rich in everyday life and local customs. Together, these elements make the Bodu River a living record of Wuxi's urban heritage and an enduring symbol of the city's cultural identity.

The Bodu River in the WND, Wuxi, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]