Magnolia Square

Magnolia Square

Baoshan is an important base for Shanghai’s steel, port, and power industries. In recent years, the Baoshan area has developed rapidly, with a permanent population of 830,000. To provide residents with an elegant leisure space, the Baoshan District Committee and District Government decided to build a large-scale open landscape green space and recreational square in the prime location of the Songbao central urban area. Magnolia Square, which broke ground in March 1999, was completed in just over 10 months with excellent construction quality. The underground civil air defense project was rated as “High-Quality Structure, High-Quality Project” by the Shanghai Civil Air Defense Quality Supervision Station and was recommended for Shanghai’s “Civil Air Defense Cup” and “Baoshan Cup” awards.

Covering a total area of 17,500 square meters, Magnolia Square gathers over 20 species of plants from the magnolia family, making it a comprehensive viewing garden for magnolia varieties in Shanghai.

The ground of Magnolia Square is divided into three areas: the Sunshine Plaza, the Shaded Plaza, and the Magnolia Viewing Area. Upon entering the Sunshine Plaza, the first thing that catches the eye is the 8.8-meter-high steel sculpture “Magnolia Core.” Made from high-quality stainless steel produced by Baosteel, the sculpture is shaped like a blooming magnolia, with four upward-extending petals supporting a “core” — a 1.8-meter-diameter steel sphere. The main composition forms a “V,” symbolizing openness and victory. The Shaded Plaza features lush green grass and a variety of blooming flowers such as tulips, hyacinths, and cyclamens. In the center stands a large magnolia-shaped molded pavilion, providing visitors with a place to enjoy tea and rest. The Magnolia Viewing Area is home to over 400 magnolia plants of more than 20 species, including white magnolia, saucer magnolia, purple magnolia, Yulan magnolia, as well as the rare yellow magnolia and mountain magnolia, creating a viewing garden for magnolia family plants. More than 30 floor-standing speakers are scattered throughout the square, playing music at scheduled times, allowing people to relax, stroll, and exercise to the rhythm of beautiful melodies. The underground of Magnolia Square is a standalone six-level civil air defense facility, which can accommodate over a hundred vehicles of various sizes when not in use.