Wuxi

Wuxi, located at the heart of China’s Yangtze River Delta region, is a historic city of more than 3,000 years and the cradle of Wu civilization, where music has long been woven into the fabric of urban life. As early as 2,500 years ago, ceremonial music of metal and stone was already heard in this land, laying the foundations for a rich and enduring musical tradition. This legacy continues to resonate through iconic cultural symbols such as Erquan Yingyue (Moon Reflected on Second Spring), one of China’s most celebrated musical works, and through pioneering musicians such as Liu Tianhua, whose innovations helped connect Chinese music with the wider world. Today, Wuxi continues to distinguish itself as a city where musical heritage is preserved and renewed, where artistic exchange flourishes, where music education is deeply rooted, and where music is widely embraced as part of everyday life.

Wuxi was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Music in recognition of this profound heritage, its dynamic contemporary music ecosystem, and its long-term vision for culture-led urban development. Music in Wuxi is not only a cultural asset, but also a living force in public life, urban identity, and economic growth. In recent years, the city has integrated music and culture into urban planning through major investments in cultural infrastructure, including the Symphony Hall, Wuxi Cultural Arts Center, and Jiangyin Chinese Music Island, while also building an accessible grassroots cultural network of music streets, small theatres, public squares, and community cultural spaces across both urban and rural areas. These spaces make music part of everyday life and ensure broad public participation.

Wuxi also has one of China’s most robust music industries. Known as the “City of Musical Instruments,” it is the world’s largest production base for the erhu, with an annual output of around 50,000 instruments, and is also home to internationally competitive harmonica and harp manufacturers. Together, Wuxi’s music and creative industries generate approximately USD 1 billion in annual added value, supported by a complete industrial chain and a thriving innovation ecosystem. Since joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Wuxi has continued to strengthen its commitment to music as a driver of sustainable urban development. Current and future initiatives include expanding the city’s “Music Map” through more neighborhood music spaces, supporting shared stages for musicians and citizens, fostering music education and youth participation, and strengthening international exchange through artist residencies, global choral collaboration, and city-to-city partnerships. By linking heritage, creativity, industry, and inclusion, Wuxi is working to ensure that music remains both a defining cultural identity and a powerful bridge connecting local life with the world.

Wuxi’s UNESCO Music City vision:

1、WeSing Promotion Program: Leveraging more than 20 community choirs, including the Wuxi Shanhe Choir, over 400 school choirs, and the Wuxi Canal Park Concert Hall, Wuxi will comprehensively implement the WeSing Promotion Program to advance international exchange and collaboration in choral arts and cultivate choral talent.

2、Musician-in-Residence Program: In collaboration with UNESCO and professional music institutions, Wuxi will invite 2 to 5 influential musicians to the city each year through themed open calls based on region, gender, age, and other criteria. Participants will engage in artistic residencies, local cultural immersion, creative production, exhibitions, and performances, fostering international exchange and collaboration in music.

3、MusicHub Program: A comprehensive, multi-site and multi-functional music center integrating performance, exchange, training, therapy, innovation, and research. The program is dedicated to building a diverse online and offline music ecosystem where musicians, music professionals, enthusiasts, and people with special needs can all find a stage of their own.

4、The Voyage of the Drum Participation Program: In collaboration with cities across the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, this program showcases a wide range of percussion instruments—including fou (one of China’s oldest percussion instruments), Chinese gongs and drums, jazz drums, and African drums—to share the cultural stories behind them and celebrate cultural diversity.