People’s Square

Introducing Shanghai People’s Square
Shanghai People’s Square, a garden-style square in downtown, is known as the Green Lung of Shanghai. It is a vast public square surrounded by government buildings, featuring manicured greenery and, at its heart, the architecturally impressive Shanghai Museum.

Shanghai People’s Square Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Shanghai Renmin Guangchang 上海人民广场
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, Leisure
• Opening Hours: All day
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Address: Renmin Avenue, Huangpu District, Shanghai

What to expect at Shanghai People’s Square

Prior to 1949, the People’s Square was a part of Shanghai Racecourse. After gambling and horse racing were banned by the Communist government, a part of the race course became the People’s Square, which included a large avenue and spectator stands for use during parades. Other parts of the race course still remain today. The clubhouse buildings became the Shanghai Art Museum, while part of the race track became People’s Park. In the 1990s, major changes were made to the square. The Shanghai Municipal Government was moved from the former HSBC Building. More recent additions include the Shanghai Grand Theater and the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall.

People’s Avenue runs through Shanghai People’s Square flanked by a green belt 17 meters wide, offering a total green area of 80,000 square meters. Measuring 140,000 square meters in area, Shanghai People’s Square can accommodate over 1.2 million people. As an important hub of urban traffic, Shanghai People’s Square is starting point of many public transportation lines. Metro lines 1, 2 and 8 stop at Shanghai People’s Square.

How to get to Shanghai People’s Square

By Metro
• Take Metro Line 1, Line 2, or Line 8 and get off at People’s Square Station.

By bus
• Take bus No. 46, 49, 123, 145, 312, 451 and get off at People’s Square Station.

Additional travel advice on Shanghai People’s Square
• Please take care of your belongings on the square and in the underground shopping mall.
• For photography purposes, the best time to visit the square is in the evening.