Bayi Square

Bayi Square

Bayi Square is a cultural relic protection unit of Nanchang, a classic red tourism site, and a patriotic education base.

Located in the core area of Bayi Avenue in Nanchang, Bayi Square was originally called People’s Square. Serving as the city’s showcase, Bayi Square is surrounded by major roads leading to all directions of the city. It is also the center of civic activities in Nanchang, hosting a variety of governmental and commercial events throughout the year.

Bayi Square and the Bayi Uprising Memorial Tower

Bayi Square and the Bayi Uprising Memorial Tower

The memorial tower standing in the center of the square is hailed as the emblem of the Hero City. On August 1, 1977, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Nanchang Uprising, construction began on the Bayi Uprising Memorial Tower at the southern end of the square, and it was completed on January 8, 1979. Originally, the tower occupied 1.7 hectares, stood 45.5 meters tall, and consisted of a base, pedestal, main body, and top. The front is inscribed with nine gilded characters “八一南昌起义纪念塔” (Bayi Nanchang Uprising Memorial Tower), written by Marshal [Ye Jianying]. The base of the tower has 27 steps, symbolizing the year 1927. The original memorial tower was initiated in 1977 for the 50th anniversary of the Nanchang Uprising and completed on January 8, 1979. At the top is a Type 30 rifle (made in Hanyang), along with a fluttering Eight-One Army flag. The front features a granite plaque with an introduction to the Nanchang Uprising, while the other sides are adorned with three large granite reliefs depicting “Proclaiming the Uprising,” “Attacking Enemy Camps,” and “Celebrating Victory.” On either side of the tower are wing walls inlaid with reliefs of the flag emblem of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army embraced by pine trees and evergreen plants. The entire structure exudes solemnity and reverence, stirring feelings of admiration.

For

To build a garden city and enhance the city’s image, in early 2002, the new municipal party committee and government decided to comprehensively renovate Bayi Square. The renovated square highlights the historical and cultural theme of “Bayi,” covering an area of 78,000 square meters and divided into two axes and three zones. The Two Axes: One axis is the north-south main axis of the square, centered around the Bayi Memorial Tower, extending from the central sunken plaza through the musical fountain to the water screen movie. Along the main axis are glass walkways, the national flag platform, the sunken plaza, performance areas, and more. The other axis is the east-west secondary landscape axis of the square, with the restored original appearance of the Provincial Exhibition Hall as the landscape center. From east to west, it includes the sloped lawn outside the sunken plaza, a central torch and a sculpture combining the army, navy, and air force, and the Provincial Exhibition Hall, forming a complete secondary landscape axis.

Three Zones: the southern memorial zone, the central cultural zone, and the northern leisure zone.

Memorial Zone: Centered around the Bayi Uprising Memorial Hall, it radiates to smaller commemorative plazas nearby. Green evergreen trees such as black pines on the east and west sides form a natural green barrier, separating the memorial zone from the bustling surroundings and highlighting its solemn and respectful atmosphere. A Jinshui River to the north of the memorial zone serves as a boundary element between functional and landscape spaces. On the south bank of the river lies a waterside stage along the central axis, while the north bank provides a viewing space. Spanning the Jinshui River is the uniquely designed Jinshui Bridge. The renovated memorial tower was heightened from the original 45.5 meters to 53.58 meters.

Central Cultural Zone: Displays a landscape space themed around Bayi culture in the sunken space. Centered around the theme of “Eternal Radiance of Bayi,” eight military-themed reliefs are arranged within the sunken plaza. The central ground features a torch and a sculpture combining the army, navy, and air force, highlighting the theme of the Nanchang Uprising: a single spark can start a prairie fire. To the north of the eight military reliefs are reliefs of Jiangxi Province’s national scenic spots representing regional culture (Jinggangshan, Lushan, Sanqingshan, Sanshan Mountain, Longhu Mountain, Fairy Lake, Meiling, and Guifeng). The enclosed part of the sunken plaza extends outward to the south to form a national flag platform, serving as a boundary element for the northern part of the civic square. The sunken plaza is elliptical, with radii of 32 and 36 meters.

Leisure Zone: Defined by a combination of a dry fountain and a water screen movie, along with the national flag platform, the water screen movie and the central fan-shaped hard area of the civic activity zone form a viewing system. A 6-meter-wide central glass walkway leads directly to the national flag platform and is used during flag-raising ceremonies. Textual stone inscriptions about the construction of the square are placed beneath the walkway. Trees are planted on both sides of the activity area, and seats are provided for visitors to rest.

On the west side of the square is the famous Bayi Avenue. Before liberation, the roadbed of Bayi Avenue was the old city wall of Nanchang. After liberation, the wall was demolished to build this street, known as Nanchang’s Changan Street. It is a ten-li-long avenue, 60 meters wide, with many notable buildings along its sides. The Nanchang Telecom Building located to the south of the square was first built in the 1950s as a Soviet-aided project. The Provincial Exhibition Hall in the center of the square was established in 1969 and was originally named “Wansui Pavilion” (Long Live Victory Pavilion), reflecting the era’s strong characteristics. It has since been renamed and now hosts various exhibitions. Bayi Avenue is also an important commercial hub, with shopping centers such as Lihua Shopping Plaza and New Land Computer City to the south, and Wanda Shopping Plaza and Walmart Supermarket to the north.

The renovated Bayi Square is broader and more transparent. The “Eternal Radiance of Bayi” theme design enriches the spatial experience, elevates the city’s cultural taste, and broadens the expression of historical significance. It is a comprehensive urban square integrating commemorative, iconic, communal, and leisure functions, fully showcasing the new look of the heroic, garden-style city of Nanchang.

Time Needed: 1 hour

Transportation

Bus: Take bus No. 2, 10, 11, 22, 215, 88, or 302 and get off at Bayi Square Station

Admission: Free

Opening Hours: Open all day