South Wind Square

South Wind Square

The name of South Wind Square comes from the "Song of the South Wind." Located at the intersection of Hedong Street, Renmin Road, and Yudu Avenue, it covers an area of 200 acres, with a width of 320 meters from east to west and a length of 380 meters from north to south.

For thousands of years, the salt fields to the south of Yuncheng city have nurtured the civilization of the middle reaches of the Yellow River. This was where Yao, Shun, and Yu successively established their capitals and was one of the earliest regions referred to as "China." Faced with the vast expanse of the salt fields, Emperor Shun, one of the "Three Sovereigns," couldn't help but sing: "The fragrant southern wind, it can soothe my people’s grievances; the timely southern wind, it can enrich my people’s wealth!" This is the "Song of the South Wind." It conveys a message to the heavens, praying that the people may gain health and prosperity. South Wind Square is named after this sentiment. Additionally, the name also serves to promote the corporate image of our city’s leading enterprise, Nafine Group.

"Phoenix Dance" Sculpture: Named after the Phoenix City

In the center of the square is a modern sculpture called "Phoenix Dance," featuring a passionate fire phoenix dancing joyfully. Yuncheng was anciently known as the Phoenix City, and the phoenix is the symbol of Yuncheng. In Eastern culture, the phoenix is regarded as a divine bird—noble, auspicious, and a bringer of blessings. Its life is eternal, and every 500 years it is reborn through a sacred fire, remaining forever vibrant. The main body of this "Phoenix Dance" sculpture stands on a base that is 6.14 meters high, symbolizing June 14, 2000, when the State Council approved Yuncheng’s establishment as a prefecture-level city. Since then, Yuncheng has soared like a phoenix reborn from the fire. The main sculpture itself is 21 meters tall, representing the new era’s Phoenix City soaring into the even more promising 21st century. When the sculpture was first completed, some residents noticed that around 7 a.m. each day, due to light reflection, a bright spot appeared in the phoenix’s eyes, as if the phoenix were opening its eyes to gaze into the distance. This phenomenon was dubbed the "Morning Light Phoenix Eye" wonder.

On the front of the main sculpture’s base are engraved four golden characters reading "South Wind Square." The south side features an inscription commemorating the construction of the square, the east side is inscribed with Emperor Shun’s "Song of the South Wind," and the west side is inlaid with a map of Yuncheng City.

White Marble Dragon Pillars: Symbolizing Blessings

On both sides of the central axis of South Wind Square stand eight white marble dragon pillars. One set of four pillars represents the four directions, and together the two sets signify all directions. Each pillar has a diameter of 2.3 meters and a height of 12.27 meters, marking the date of Yuncheng’s liberation on December 27, 1947. Each pillar features five entwined dragons, representing the "Five Blessings." According to the "Book of Documents · Hong Fan": "The Five Blessings are: first, longevity; second, wealth; third, health and peace; fourth, virtue; fifth, a peaceful death in old age." In other words, it expresses the hope that the people will enjoy long life, prosperity, health, kindness, and a serene old age.

- The Plaza: A Gathering Place for Citizens

To the north of the sculpture is a large circular plaza with a diameter of 188 meters. The entire South Wind Square uses 5 million tiles, and the tiles in the plaza form 13 patterns in different colors, symbolizing the 13 counties (cities, districts) under Yuncheng’s jurisdiction and the 5 million people of Hedong working together with determination, striving for progress, and moving towards a bright future.

At the open front of the plaza is a massive 160-square-meter LED color screen display, which cost 6.5 million yuan to build and can be viewed by nearly 100,000 people simultaneously.

The center of the square features a dry fountain and a musical fountain. The central plaza’s musical fountain is accompanied by 42 pieces of music with distinct rhythms and solemn, joyful melodies, such as "Ode to the Motherland," "Ode to the Yellow River," and "Ode to the Salt Lake." The water jets rise and fall in sync with the music, varying in height and intensity. At its highest, the water can shoot up 50 meters, resembling a majestic waterfall; at its lowest, it stays just a few dozen centimeters above the ground, forming mist, flower shapes, or jade-like beads, like a heavenly maiden scattering blossoms. At night, the lights create ever-changing colors, offering a delightful and immersive experience. The interplay between the dry fountain and the musical fountain creates a lively, joyful, and harmonious atmosphere in the square.

Children’s Activity Center: Looking Forward to the Future

On the southwest side of the square is the Children’s Activity Center. Twelve zodiac animal stone sculptures surround a yin-yang fish pattern that embodies the harmony between humans and nature, allowing children to gain new knowledge and inspiration while playing.

The square also includes a Peace Pigeon Plaza, Rainbow Bridge, small amusement park, spherical universe sky, and a statue of Sima Guang breaking the vat, reflecting children’s longing for peace and connection with nature. Some facilities will be completed by the end of the year.

Cultural Corridor: Showcasing the Long History and Culture of Hedong

To the north of the square lies the Cultural Corridor, which is 148 meters long, 13 meters wide, and 8 meters high, displaying the development history of Yuncheng centered around Yellow River culture. On the north side of the corridor, from east to west, are 16 murals depicting Pangu creating the world, Houyi shooting the sun, Nüwa mending the sky, Kuafu chasing the sun, Jingwei filling the sea, Chang’e flying to the moon, Yu the Great taming the floods, Houji cultivating crops, hunting, fishing, farming, teaching, social activities, warfare, entertainment, and rituals. Each mural covers 64 square meters. From a distance, they appear majestic, recreating historical stories, legends, and the lives of ancient people from Yuncheng’s 5,000-year civilization, reviving the city’s cultural history, and promoting its root culture as the birthplace of the Chinese nation.

On the south side of the Cultural Corridor, there will be 42 relief sculptures of notable historical figures from Hedong, including Nüwa, Chiyou, Leizu, Fenghou, Yao, Shun, Yu, Houji, Fu Yue, Duke Wen of Jin, and Marquis Wen of Wei—figures who have left an indelible mark on the land of Hedong. This project is set to be completed in October. By then, strolling through the Cultural Corridor will allow you to engage in a timeless “dialogue” with these historic figures across the ages.

The square also includes areas designated for leisure activities, fitness, and the "Sunset Red" plaza for seniors. The overall layout is rational, serving not only as a recreational space for citizens but also as the political, economic, and cultural hub of Yuncheng City.

Source: Yuncheng City Local Chronicles Compilation Committee