Guangzhou Yuexiushan Sports Center
Originally constructed in 1926, the Guangzhou Yuexiushan Sports Center is located at the southern foot of Yuexiushan(Yuexiu Hill), a public park situated along the traditional central axis of Guangzhou City. It is a significant architectural heritage site and one of the birthplaces of football competitions in South China, having nurtured generations of elite football players.
Following its ninth comprehensive renovation over the past decades, this historic stadium has been revitalized. It is now open to the public, offering free access to its running tracks equipped with the smart fitness guidance system. Additionally, it serves as the venue for the U16 Women's Football competition during the 15th National Games.
U16 Women's Football competition (Photo by Yangcheng Evening News)
A football field built by people, for people
The site of Guangzhou Yuexiushan Sports Center was originally an ammunition depot during the Qing Dynasty. It was redeveloped into a sports venue in the 1920s, during which it was also known as Guanyinshan Football Court. At this phase, the football court was a muddy field with few facilities.
Guanyinshan Football Court (Photo by Guangzhou Museum)
In 1950, the government of Guangzhou planned to construct a large stadium with stands for sports events and public activities. However, it was unable to construct one on the flat land due to the limited economic conditions. Ye Jianying, then mayor of Guangzhou, decided to build a new stadium, the Yuexiushan Sports Center, on the previous Guanyinshan Football Court and encouraged the city's young people to join construction.
Ye's appeal received an enthusiastic response from the public as more than 17 thousand workers, students, teachers and People's Liberation Army(PLA) soldiers participated in the project.
The project was challenging at the initial phase as the city saw continuous rainy weather from spring to summer. Mayor Ye inspected the construction site and arranged excavators, graders, rollers, and bulldozers to assist with the construction. The municipal government hired an additional 5,000 construction workers, offering them about 5kg of rice per day. This beneficial approach not only accelerated the construction progress but also addressed the unemployment issues.
With the united efforts of Guangzhou citizens, the first phase of the Guangzhou Yuexiushan Sports Center project was completed in six months and open to the public in October 1950.
In 1953, the construction of the Guangzhou Yuexiushan Sports Center was officially completed. Covering an area of 39,900 square meters, the center features a football field and a 400-meter track, with seating for 15,000 spectators. The Guangzhou Yuexiushan Sports Center was the first sports center built in Guangzhou after the founding of the People's Republic of China and served as the primary venue for sports competitions, city-wide gatherings, and festival celebrations throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Guangzhou Yuexiushan Sports Center built after the founding of the People's Republic of China (Photo by Guangzhou Museum)
A historic stadium keeps up with times
The Guangzhou Yuexiushan Sports Center has been a significant venue for football competitions in South China and has nurtured generations of elite football players, including Rong Zhixing, Chen Xirong, Gu Guangming, Zhao Dayu, Peng Weiguo, and Mai Chao. It has been the home ground for professional football teams in Guangzhou.
The stadium has hosted landmark events, including the first Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup, the 6th National Games, the 9th National Games, and the 16th Asian Games. Following its ninth comprehensive renovation, the stadium served as the home ground for the U16 Women's Football competition at the 15th National Games in 2025.
Guangzhou Yuexiushan Sports Center
Today, the Guangzhou Yuexiushan Sports Center serves as a public fitness facility, offering free access to its running tracks. Following the renovations completed in 2025, the tracks are now equipped with a smart fitness guidance system that allows runners to easily monitor their exercise data, including distance, time, and calories consumption, without the need to wear any devices, providing a completely new fitness experience.
As the training venue of the Guangzhou municipal archery team, the Yuexiushan Sports Center opens its tracks to the public during non-training hours. However, the football field remains closed to the public.
The tracks of Guangzhou Yuexiushan Sports Center upgraded
Opening Hours:
7:00 am-1:30 pm, 5:00 pm- 9:00 pm on weekdays,
7:00 am- 9:00 pm on weekends.
(The football field remains closed)
Address:
No. 34 Yingyuan Road, Yuexiu District(越秀区应元路34号)
Reported by Zhou Jiyin
Edited by Yin Juewen