Located in the heart of Shanghai, People’s Square is the city’s largest public plaza, covering approximately 140,000 square meters. Before the founding of New China, it, along with the adjacent People’s Park, was a horse racing venue known as the “Shanghai Racecourse,” reputed as the largest in the Far East.
Today, the northern side of the square houses the Shanghai Municipal Government, while the Shanghai Grand Theatre is located to the northwest, the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center to the northeast, and the Shanghai Museum to the south. Renmin Avenue runs through the square.
Recently renovated, the central area of the square features a 320-square-meter circular fountain and a large green space spanning 80,000 square meters. The lush lawn, numerous trees, and colorful flowerbeds are complemented by fountains, sculptures, artistic light poles, and stone benches, creating a relaxed atmosphere. In the western part of the square, thousands of white doves gracefully flutter and circle, adding to the spectacular view.
Travel Information about Shanghai People’s Square
Ticket and Opening Hours
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Open all day
Getting There
Location: Renmin Avenue, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Transportation: Take Metro Lines 1, 2, or 8 and alight at People’s Square Station
Attraction Ratings
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Excitement: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★★
- Uniqueness: ★★★
- Relaxation: ★★
- Culture: ★★
Useful Tips
- Underground at the square, you can explore Hong Kong’s famous brand street, the DIMEI Shopping Center, and the nearby Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, which are popular spots for shopping and leisure.
- Near Metro Line 2, you’ll find the “1192 Lane Old Shanghai Style Street,” where you can enjoy the authentic architectural style and cityscape of old Shanghai, including its traditional buildings and customs.
- The western part of the square is home to numerous white doves. During holidays, the square becomes bustling with tourists, and the doves playfully interact with visitors, adding a serene and peaceful ambiance. Feel free to bring or purchase some food to feed the doves.
Highlights of Shanghai People’s Square
Shanghai Municipal Building
The Shanghai Municipal Building covers a total area of 87,000 square meters and stands 72 meters tall with 19 floors. The building exudes a characteristic of “dignity, elegance, simplicity, and brightness.” Its entrance features ten 9-meter-tall stone pillars, creating a grand and imposing presence. The steps are made of large granite stones, and the facade of the four-story podium is clad in granite, symbolizing the enduring and solid nature of governance.
The main structure is adorned with white artificial stone and blue-gray vertical glass curtain walls, reflecting both freshness and the integrity of authority. Decorative details include relief sculptures of Shanghai’s city flower, the magnolia, complemented by delicate lines to achieve a rich artistic effect.
Shanghai Grand Theatre
The Shanghai Grand Theatre features a sleek, geometric design with a white, crown-like curved roof that extends gracefully towards the sky. The roof hosts a classical outdoor theatre and a sky garden, resembling a treasure bowl. This design symbolizes Shanghai’s expansive embrace of global cultural and artistic influences.
Shanghai Museum
The Shanghai Museum features a distinctive architectural design combining a square base with a projecting circular structure, symbolizing the Chinese concept of “Heaven is round and Earth is square.” The museum is adorned with four towering artistic archways that reflect the progression of written and historical evolution. Flanking the entrance are eight artistic stone lions and celestial dogs, showcasing the brilliance of Chinese culture. The museum houses twelve specialized galleries and two temporary exhibition halls across its four floors, featuring collections of bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, jade, and ethnic artifacts, totaling 120,000 treasures. Additionally, the museum’s library contains 200,000 volumes of specialized books in both Chinese and foreign languages.
Related Details:
- From a distance, the museum’s circular roof and the arched upper lines of the entrance create the impression of an ancient Chinese bronze vessel. Viewed from above, the roof’s layout resembles a giant Han dynasty mirror, adding to its historical allure.
- At night, the 13-meter diameter glass skylight at the center of the dome shines like a radiant gem, illuminated by floodlights, enhancing the museum’s nighttime brilliance.
Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China
The Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, commonly known as the CPC First National Congress Memorial Hall, is located approximately 1 kilometer from People’s Square. It comprises the site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Oath Hall.
The site of the First National Congress, built in 1920, is a typical Shanghai Shikumen style building. On July 23, 1921, the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held here, marking the birth of the Communist Party of China.
The main exhibition hall is located in the new building’s basement level and features the exhibit titled “The Great Beginning – The Founding History of the Communist Party of China.” This exhibition, centered around the theme of “Initial Mission,” is divided into seven sections: the Preface Hall, “Self-Sacrifice and National Salvation,” “Awakening of the People and Ideological Choices,” “Early Organizations and the Spark of Revolution,” “Opening Up the World, Dawn Rising in the East,” “Striving Forward, Glorious Journey,” and the Epilogue Hall. It comprehensively and systematically showcases the founding process of the Communist Party of China. The new building is flanked by the National Flag Square of the First National Congress, which has become a new landmark in Shanghai.
Visitor Guide for Shanghai People’s Square
Accommodation Options
Near People’s Square, you can find several hostels and boutique hotels, such as Shanghai New Easy Hostel and Shanghai Duoyuan Youth Hostel.
- Shanghai New Easy Hostel (上海新易途青年旅社): This hostel is just a 5-minute walk to Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Shanghai Museum, and the Shanghai Municipal Government. People’s Square is only a 10-minute walk away. Address: No. 55 Jiangyin Road.
- Shanghai Duoyuan Youth Hostel (上海多园青年旅舍): From this hostel, you can see the Oriental Pearl Tower, and it takes about 5-6 minutes on foot to reach The Bund. The hostel offers well-equipped rooms and facilities including a small bar, a mini cinema, and a reading room. Address: 3rd Floor, No. 339 Guangdong Road.
Dining Options
People’s Square is a hotspot for food lovers, offering a variety of options including local Shanghai cuisine, Western dishes, and dessert shops. Here are some recommended places:
- Nanjing Da Pai Dang (南京大排档): Located on the 3rd floor of Shimao Shopping Plaza, this spot is famous for its traditional local dishes. Address: 3rd Floor, Shimao Shopping Plaza.
- Old Shanghai Taste (老上海的味道): Found on the 3rd floor of First Food Store, it offers a nostalgic taste of classic Shanghai flavors. Address: 3rd Floor, First Food Store.
- New Bai Lu Restaurant (新白鹿餐厅): Situated on the 9th floor of the First Department Store Commercial Center, this restaurant serves a range of traditional and modern dishes. Address: 9th Floor, First Department Store Commercial Center, C Building.
- Guan Guan Ji Muslim Restaurant (贯贯吉穆斯林餐厅): Located at No. 70-2 Zhejiang Middle Road, this restaurant offers delicious halal options.
- Su Xiaoliu Dim Sum Specialist (苏小柳点心专门店): Known for its exquisite dim sum, this spot is on Nanjing East Road. Address: No. 829 Nanjing East Road.