Shanghai Chen Yi Square (Chen Yi Statue)

　　    Chen Yi Square is situated on the Bund along East Nanjing Road in Shanghai, with a statue of Chen Yi, the first mayor of Shanghai in New China, standing in the center. A century ago, this site was home to a commemorative bronze statue of Sir Harry Smith Parkes, the British Consul General in China.

　　    At the end of the ten-mile-long Nanjing Road stands Chen Yi Square, where a statue of Chen Yi, the first mayor of Shanghai in New China, proudly stands. The square, built to commemorate Shanghai’s first mayor, has now become a popular tourist attraction. The statue of Chen Yi faces south and is located in Shanghai’s bustling Nanjing Road area.

　　    The statue, cast in bronze, stands 5.6 meters tall, atop a 3.5-meter-high red polished granite base. It depicts Comrade Chen Yi in one of his typical working poses—showing his dedicated, hardworking public servant image, weathered by years of service, as well as his amiable and modest demeanor as a scholarly military leader. Every weekend, a lively and grand open-air concert is held in front of the statue.

　　    Chen Yi Square Fountain: Located on the Bund along East Nanjing Road, south of the Chen Yi statue. It features a modern fountain design with a square outer ring and an elliptical inner circle. Water jets vary in height with sound, and colorful lights are installed at the bottom of the pool. At night, the changing lights create beams of red, yellow, blue, and green that dance with the water, adding a spectacular glow to the Bund’s nightlife.

　　    Familiar visitors to the Bund have noticed something new: a new informational plaque has been added next to the iconic 19-year-old statue of Chen Yi—the Bund’s most famous sculpture—to help tourists learn more about Chen Yi, Shanghai’s former mayor and a revered marshal. The plaque was installed just last weekend.

　　    Admission

　　    Free

　　    Opening Hours

　　    Open all day

　　    Location

　　    The Bund, East Nanjing Road, Shanghai

　　

　　    Chen Yi (1901    ~1972)　　    Chen Yi (August 26, 1901 – January 6, 1972), whose given name was Shijun and courtesy name Zhonghong, was a native of Lezhi, Sichuan. He was an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China, a tested and loyal communist fighter, a great proletarian revolutionary, statesman, military strategist, diplomat, and poet. He was one of the founders and leaders of the People’s Liberation Army, a Marshal of the People’s Republic of China (one of the Ten Marshals), and an eminent leader of the Party and the country. He also served as the first mayor of Shanghai in New China. I. Chen Yi’s Early Years (1901–1927) Chen Yi was born in August 1901 in Lezhi, Sichuan... Details +