In the heart of Guangzhou`s business and historical district, adjacent to the bustling Zhongshanwu Road shopping street, lies People`s Park (Renmin Gongyuan) - a classic example of how a metropolis values and preserves harmonious public space. Founded in 1921 (during the early Republican period), it became one of the city`s first public parks open to all residents, as reflected in its democratic name.
Despite its central location, the park is characterized by small, almost rectangular dimensions and a strikingly clear, symmetrical layout. It is not a labyrinth of paths but a model of landscape order. From the main entrance on the south side, reminiscent of ceremonial gates, a wide avenue runs strictly along the central axis through the entire park, leading to an elegant white rotunda. This axis is the compositional core of the park.
The Main Avenue and Its Guardians
The avenue leading to the Rotunda is the park`s hallmark. It is densely planted with ancient banyan trees (a variety of ficus), whose mighty, intricately intertwined aerial roots and broad canopies create a picturesque green tunnel. These trees, symbolizing resilience and wisdom in Chinese culture, form a unique landscape where the play of light and shadow creates a serene atmosphere. Banyans are the dominant element: they frame not only the main avenue but also the secondary paths and the park`s perimeter, reliably sheltering it from the city`s noise.
Architectural Emphasis: Guangzhou Fazhiju
If you continue along the main avenue past the rotunda, the solemn facade of the Guangzhou Fazhiju building comes into view — the Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Justice. This administrative institution is responsible for legal affairs and the municipal judicial system. Its architecture is a characteristic example of Stalinist Empire style, adapted to Chinese realities of the mid-20th century.
The building is monumental, symmetrical, with a distinct central risalit adorned with a colonnade and a Soviet-style spire or obelisk on the roof. The facade is often painted in light, solid tones. Its view from the park creates an interesting contrast: on one side — the lively, informal energy of nature and leisure; on the other — a strict symbol of state power and law.
The Park`s Pulse: Community Life
People`s Park is not merely a green ornament but a true community hub. It particularly comes to life early in the morning and after 5 PM, when dozens, if not hundreds, of elderly Guangzhou residents flock here. The park is filled with music, conversation, and dynamic games. The most popular activity here is Jianzi — a traditional Chinese game similar to foot volleyball.
Participants, gathered in circles, deftly kick a small weighted "shuttlecock" (often made from feathers and coins), striving not to let it touch the ground. It is simultaneously a sport, social interaction, and a display of agility. Besides this, people practice Tai Chi, dance, sing Cantonese opera, and play cards here.
Sculptures in Dialogue with History
The park`s clear layout is complemented by several sculptural compositions that add cultural and historical context:
• A bust of the renowned Chinese writer Lu Xun – a literary critic and essayist considered a leading Master of Modern Chinese literature.
• A statue of the Chinese composer Xian Xinghai. Xian Xinghai (1905–1945) was an outstanding Chinese composer, pianist, and music educator, often called the "People`s Composer." He is considered one of the central figures in 20th-century Chinese musical culture and significantly influenced several generations of Chinese musicians.
• Traditional Chinese-style lion sculptures.
People`s Park, with its avenues, banyans, playing seniors, and monumental architecture, is closely encircled on all sides by a ring of modern high-rise buildings: office towers, shopping centers, and residential skyscrapers. This contrast only emphasizes the park`s value as a quiet, orderly oasis, where, under the shade of majestic trees, the unhurried public life of historic Guangzhou pulses on.
