May Fourth Square and the Wind of May Sculpture

May Fourth Square sits on the waterfront of Qingdao's central business district in Shinan District, named for the 1919 May Fourth Movement that began partly in response to the transfer of German rights over Qingdao to Japan. The square's centerpiece is the 'Wind of May' sculpture, a 30-metre spiral of red steel resembling a wind-whipped flame, which anchors an open plaza used for kite-flying, roller-skating and evening strolls. From the square, a wide promenade runs along Fushan Bay toward the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, passing lawns, fountains and views of the modern skyline that has grown up around the old town. A short visit to see the sculpture and walk part of the promenade takes 30-45 minutes; extending along the bay to the sailing center adds another 30-45 minutes each way. The square is at its most photogenic after dark, when the sculpture and surrounding towers are lit in changing colors and reflected in the bay, drawing the largest evening crowds of any spot in the city. Daytime visits are calmer and better suited to views of the open plaza and passing ships.