Human inhabitation in Changshu dates back to as early as 5，000 years ago, witness to which, among others, is the archaeological discovery in 1988 of the neolithic relic cite Qiandi Lane. According to history, in the latter part of the Shang Dynasty (17th century BC-11th century BC), it was the northern part of Kingdom Wu. In Qin dynasty, it belonged to Wu County, KuaijiPrefecture. In 283 AD, it was isolated from Wu County and became a separate county named Haiyu. In 341 AD, Nansha township in HaiyuCounty was upgraded as NanshaCounty. In 540 AD, Nansha was changed to Changshu for the first time. During Emperor Yongzheng’s reign in the Qing Dynasty, the east part of Changshu was established as a separate county called Zhaowen. Shortly after the founding of the National Government, the two counties merged into one. With the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Changshu’s administrative status and name underwent several changes. At first, county and city coexisted in its territory. Then in April 1958, the city was allotted into Changshu county. In 1983, ChangshuCounty was renamed ChangshuCity.

The city, taken into administrative hierarchy for the first time since the Tang Dynasty, has experienced numerous changes. At the end of 2012, the city boated 9 townships, 2 community offices, 1 forest farm, 1 national development zone, 1 provincial development zone, 1 provincial specialized market and 1 four-year college.

Thanks to its 5,000 year-long rich history of culture and civilization, Changshu has won the accolade of National Famous Historical & Cultural City. It has given birth to hundreds of personages highly influential in Chinese history. To name but a few, Yanyan, one of the “Ten Confucian Sages” nicknamed “the Great Southern Educator,” was the founder of education in Eastern Wu; Weng Tonghe, was a top winner of the royal examination, serving two Emperors of the Qing Dynasty as private tutor. From the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, 485 Changshu people passed the royal examination, 8 of them being No. 1 winners. From the founding of the People’s Republic of China till now, 24 Changshu people have been granted academicians by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Changshu presents numerous cultural relics. At the end of 2012, there were 159 cultural relic protection units, among which 3 were of national level, 19 provincial level, and 137 city level. In addition, Changshu cherishes a rich religious culture. Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism and some other religions are enjoying a vigorous life here.