Bayi Square (八一广场)

Bayi Square (八一广场) is Nanchang's front door — the city's central square, and one of the largest in China. It was laid out in 1977-1980 and is still used every single day: tai chi at dawn, ballroom dancing after lunch, kids on scooters at sunset.

Highlights

The monument. The 45.5-metre Bayi Uprising Monument (八一南昌起义纪念塔) rises from a huge granite base. Sculpted soldiers hold it up on all sides, and a rifle, bayonet, and flag point into the sky. Most visitors do not realize that Bayi is simply the number eight, as in August.

The fountain show. A line of water jets runs across the plaza most evenings. Free, and the crowd is half the show. It is switched off in winter.

The underground mall. Below the square is a maze of shops and food stalls selling local snacks, which is the easiest place to grab lunch without hunting. Noodles are ¥10-15 ($1.40-2.10).

The view back. Stand at the foot of the monument and the white tower of the uprising museum lines up in the distance, which visually ties the two halves of the city together.

The crowds. Grandparents, kids, and office workers all use the same square, and none of them look like tourists. Sit on the granite steps for ten minutes and watch.

Free and open 24 hours, no booking. The fountain show runs roughly 7:30-8:30 PM. Thirty minutes is enough unless you are watching the show, then plan an hour. Metro lines 1 and 2 both stop here, and it is the most common destination for taxi and Didi drivers in the city — say the name in Chinese, 八一广场, not "Bayi Square".