Shanghai, China Travel Guide
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People’s Park & People’s Square
People’s Park and People’s Square in Shanghai
Overview: Renmin Gongyuan and Renmin Guangchang. People’s Park is magical magical magical. Located between central Nanjing Lu (north) and Yan’an (south) and adjacent to Huangpi (west), People’s Park encompasses a huge leafy, watery and cultural area and offers a vast array of sites and activities within its premise.
Matchmaking in Peoples Park in Shanghai
MATCHMAKING AND LOTUS POND
Lotus Pond – let’s start off with the cutest thing to be found in Renmin Park. On a Sunday morning, if you head towards the southeast corner of Nanjing Lu and Huangpi Lu, you’ll see a Starbuck’s. Close to it is a gate. Enter the gate (enter Starbuck’s through the back door from this gate) and veer left a little. You’ll see Moca Shanghai sign along the wall to the right. Then, you’ll end up at a huge, beautiful pond or lake with big, fat, billowy green leaves. You’ve hit Lotus Pond and all its vibrant, green glory. Across the pond is a swanky restaurant.
Matchmaking – now, take the left path. It winds a bit and the foliage and trees kind of blocks a clear view. You’ll start to notice a trickle of older folks. Then, a convention of them. Looks like a super subdued concert or something. You’ll also notice signs and advertisements. What in the world is going on here?
Trail to lotus pond in Peoples Park in Shanghai
You’ve just hit Chinese matchmaking. These old folks are grandparents or parents setting up – or, shopping around – their kids and grandchildren. They go to People’s Park by the Lotus Pond and socialize, advertise and generally have a merry time. Their kids or grandchildren are either too busy, shy or just haven’t had much luck in the romance department. It’s the job of grandparents to make it happen for them!
MOCA Museum in Shanghai
MOCA MUSEUM
On the grounds of Renmin Park is Shanghai’s contemporary art museum.
Contact: People’s Park, 231 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai, 200003, site: www.mocashanghai.org/index.php
Peoples Square in Shanghai
PEOPLE’S SQUARE
Renmin Lu is between Nanjing Lu and Yan’an Lu. It cuts the People’s Park into two. South of Renmin Lu is People’s Square. The People’s Square is a place of historic, social and cultural significance. It has some really nice walking paths which lead you to its center. At the center are People’s Square and the Shanghai Museum. The People’s Square is, as you guessed, a square. Go up a ramp or steps and you’ll see the community square. In the middle is a water fountain with several spouts that spurt up water at various times, making a nice water show. From here, tilt your head back, look up and slowly spin around. The Shanghai cityspace is amazing from the People’s Square.
Cost: The park, pond, square and matchmaking are all free. The Moca Shanghai has an admission price of 20 Yuan.
Accessibility: The paths in the People’s Park are a bit bumpy since aesthetic slabs of uneven stones are used. The People’s Square is completely wheelchair accessible. Although, don’t wheel with coffee on your lap.
Getting There: Walk, wheel, cab it