Overview

This square serves as the centerpiece of downtown Shenyang. A massive fiberglass statue of Chairman Mao, which was re-constructed in 1969 during the height of his popularity, towers over the square. The base of the statue is lined with figures of students, peasants, and soldiers waving their Red Books. Despite the political undertones, locals like to joke that Mao's upraised arm is for hailing a cab. The square, especially in the evening, fills with soccer games, calligraphy artists and ballroom dancers (China's answer to aerobic workouts).