Squarely in the middle of seven prominent buildings such as the Grand Theatre, City Hall and an underground shopping mall, the People’s Square truly is the urban centre of modern Shanghai. Hailed as the Green Lung of Shanghai, the square occupies a space that rivals 30 football fields and used to be a famous horse-racing track in 1861. Remains of the former building still stand at the northeast corner of the park, with the bleachers of the old track converted into a library and gymnasium in more recent times. With such a vast open space available to the public, it is not uncommon to see groups of dancers honing their craft here, and in the summer, children flying kites of various shapes and colours, painting a scene fit for nostalgia. Regardless of where your interests lie, you are bound to find something situated in this square that appeals to you.