“De Town,” they call it. Meili Town stands before you a testament to history and culture. More than 2300 years ago Prince Tai Bo arrived. He brought the culture of the central plains. His humility and pioneering spirit shaped this riverside area. Hierarchy and etiquette took root. Confucius himself praised Taibo for representing the best ethics. Thus Meili Town earned its nickname “De Town”.
Notice the architecture. It blends traditional characteristics. Folk customs and traditions from the Wu culture are evident. You can see it in the Silk Workshop and the Farming Garden. Plum trees abound here. Beautiful flowers add color to the town. It’s a vivid depiction of a waterside town along the Yangtze River.
Let’s talk about Taibo Temple. It’s near the entrance of Meili Town. Today it is the largest and best-preserved architectural complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties in Wuxi. In front of the temple lies Lizhao Pool. The stone memorial archway bears the inscription “Zhi De Ming Bang”. Every year on the ninth day of the first lunar month Wu families from around the world gather here. They come to worship their ancestors.
Take a look at the Memorial Archway. You’ll see four Chinese characters on the front side. They read “Gou Wu Gu Du” meaning the ancient capital of Wu State. Su Juxian a Chinese calligrapher inscribed them. On the backside are the characters “Jiang Nan Di Yi Gu Zhen”. This means the best ancient town in Jiangnan. Qi Gong another calligrapher wrote these.
Meili is closely tied to the Wu surname. Its history stretches back over 3000 years. Prince Tai Bo and his brother Ji Chang moved here. They sought to avoid a fight for the throne. They left their home in Shaanxi province. They came to Meili now Meicun village.
Every year on January 9th of the Chinese lunar calendar people visit Taibo Temple. Hundreds of thousands from Wuxi come to worship. They participate in activities. The temple fair is a major event. It draws people from across Jiangsu province.
Meili is also the home of the erhu. This traditional musical instrument is iconic to the regions south of the Yangtze River. Meicun town is its birthplace.
If you are hungry try the “San Rang rice ball”. It is local to Meicun. This rice ball features three fillings. You can have meat, red bean paste or sesame. It commemorates the story of “Taibo San Rang”. Another option is Cai A’shui mutton. This restaurant is the oldest in Meicun. It serves mutton in many ways. You can also try Little aunt’s sweet ferment rice. It’s considered the “pure” food of the area. For generations women from Jingxin village have sold it. Consider trying Qian’s Winemaking. Qian Jianmin invented it. He combined traditional methods with his own recipe. He uses glutinous rice and natural yeast fermentation.
Meili Town offers a glimpse into China’s rich past. It’s a place where history comes alive. As you leave remember the stories. Remember the traditions that have shaped this unique town.