“Shanghai’s Zero Center Point” once stood near here. Today, we’re standing in Central Square. This square is more than just open space. It’s a place where history, culture, and modern life converge.
Central Square is at the heart of Shanghai. It pulses with the energy of thousands of people. They move from one destination to another.
Before 1949, this very spot was a horse racetrack. It seems impossible now. Imagine the thunder of hooves and the roar of the crowd. The Shanghai horse racing society collaborated with the British Consul. They demanded land for this track in 1861. Farmers were forced off their land to build it. It was claimed to be the premier racing hall of the Far East.
All traces of the racetrack are gone. New structures have taken its place. The City Government Building is here. So is the Shanghai Museum and the Shanghai Grand Theater. An underground mall bustles below us. Asia’s largest underground electronic transformer substation hums nearby. These changes breathed life into Central Square.
The Shanghai Museum is worth a visit. The Shanghai Art Museum has year-round exhibits. They are especially worth visiting during special exhibitions.
Look around Central Square. It connects to Nanjing Road and the western part of Xizang Zhonglu. Getting here is easy. You can take subway lines one or two. Get off at the People’s Square Station. Many bus lines also stop here.
Consider the Park Hotel. It played a role in surveying Shanghai. In 1950, the Shanghai government used the hotel’s flagpole. It became the zero center point for Shanghai’s first official survey. A placard commemorates this in the hotel lobby.
Hungry? Explore the surrounding area for food. Fuzhou Road and Nanjing Road offer many choices. Huanghe Road’s Food Street is also nearby. It is ablaze with lights at night. You can find Shanghai, Sichuan, and Cantonese cuisine there.
For French cuisine with a view, try Maxims. It is on the Shanghai Grand Theater’s eighth floor. It offers a panoramic view of Central Square.
Need caffeine? There’s a Starbucks diagonally across from the theater. Relax there. Watch the sun set over Central Square.
Central Square embodies Shanghai’s evolution. From a racetrack to a cultural hub, its story is etched in the city’s landscape. As you explore, remember the layers of history beneath your feet. Central Square continues to evolve. It will remain a vital part of Shanghai’s identity.