China attractions - People's Square is a large public square in Shanghai just off of Nanjing Road. It is the site of Shanghai's municipal government building, and is used as the standard reference point for distance-measurement in the Shanghai municipality.

Before 1949, People's Square was a section of the Shanghai horseracing course. Since horseracing and gambling were forbidden by the new Communist government, a part of the race course became the People's Square, including a large avenue and spectator stands used in parades.




In 1990s, main changes took places in the square. The Shanghai Municipal Government was moved from to people’s square from the former HSBC Building, and the Shanghai Museum was also moved to be here away from its former office building. More additional urban symbolic buildings are also included like Shanghai Grand Theatre and Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall.