Guangling New City Civic Center Square

Guangling New City Civic Center Square

Guangling New City Civic Center Square is a new urban comprehensive open square that combines commemoration, celebration, civic activities, entertainment, leisure, and commerce. It is a major project in the development of the Cultural Expo City and was inaugurated during the 2500th anniversary celebration of the city. The project spans 103 mu and is situated at the heart of the distinctive commercial water street. It serves as a visual focal point for the cultural landscape of Guangling New City and a showcase center for the city’s iconic image. The ground level of the square includes multifunctional spaces such as the main entrance plaza, the 2500-Year Time Axis, the sunken commercial plaza, the outdoor amphitheater, shaded rest areas, a poetry and art plaza, a dining and leisure plaza, and an art corridor. The underground structure has two levels, with a total floor area of approximately 78,000 square meters, primarily housing commercial facilities such as supermarkets, restaurants, entertainment venues, specialty stores, and parking lots.

The main entrance plaza serves as the display front of the entire square. Six sets of light sculptures mark the beginning of the Century Axis, while elements of ancient city bricks add a sense of historical memory to the design. The relief wall features a water pattern that runs horizontally across the surface, symbolizing the long and enduring history of Yangzhou over 2500 years. Ten murals are designed with sails as their prototype, with content inspired by historical figures and events in Yangzhou, vividly depicting stories from the city’s past. The entrance water feature sculpture further highlights the spirit of the square. In the pool, a square sculpture inspired by the jade seal of the Guangling King has been artistically designed. The front of the sculpture bears the phrase “Jì Wǎng Kāi Lái” (Carry On the Past and Open the Future) written in large seal script, signifying inheriting the achievements of the past and forging the path ahead—expressing the commitment to carry forward Yangzhou’s culture of the previous 2500 years and to create brilliance for the next 2500 years. The back of the sculpture is inscribed with “Yì Gǔ Yáng Jīn” (Draw from the Ancient to Promote the Modern), conveying the idea of preserving ancient culture while promoting modern civilization.

The central axis features ground carvings depicting important events from Yangzhou’s 2500-year history, arranged along both sides of the main thoroughfare. The design draws inspiration from the style of old almanacs found in traditional calendars, recording the footprints of Yangzhou’s urban development over the centuries and showcasing the city’s collective memory.

The horizontal axis, representing the city’s transformation, is paved with ground carvings depicting the evolution of Yangzhou’s ancient city over the past 2500 years, laid out on the surface of the east-west main road.

On either side of the axis are two sunken plazas and distinctive leisure spaces. These sunken plazas incorporate undulating terraced landscapes that harmonize visually and functionally with the underground commercial, leisure, and entertainment venues.

The Poetry and Art Space showcases the profound artistry of Yangzhou’s woodblock printing and the city’s rich cultural heritage. The woodblocks are arranged in 36 pieces, scattered at varying heights and positions. Eight illuminated seats are interspersed among the woodblocks. Combining imagery and text, the woodblock displays allow visitors to stroll through the poetry space, take a rest, read poems about Yangzhou, and experience both the city’s history and the traditional craftsmanship of woodblock printing.

The square also features statues of four historically significant figures with deep ties to Yangzhou, placed along the pathways on either side. These figures include Ji Kang, Dong Zhongshu, Zhu Ziqing, and Zheng Banqiao.

The civic square strives to achieve a harmonious blend of ancient culture and modern civilization, reflecting the character and humanistic spirit of Yangzhou. It stands as a proud highlight of the city in the new era.