A new form of driven Cast-in-place Concrete thin-wall Pipe pile (referred as PCC pile) developed independently by GeoHohai has recently been patented in China. PCC piles are rapidly increasing in popularity as one of the most cost-effective soft ground improvement techniques in China since its first application. This paper tells the story of PCC pile development in the aspects of the technique principles, the soil improvement mechanisms, the proprietary construction equipment and technology, and integrity testing methods, and its field application in an expressway foundation improvement project in Shanghai, China. The field study has demonstrated that PCC pile composite foundation is a cost-effective way to enhance ground bearing capacity and reduce settlement. Compared with traditional piling practice, the paper concludes with the statement on the potential application value of PCC pile with regard to other traditional piling techniques as being high bearing capacity, easily controlled and reliable quality and low construction cost.