Back to Childhood: The Ultimate Guide to Shanghai Shimao Smurfs Theme Park

As we grow older, we often feel something is missing—perhaps joy, perhaps childlike innocence. So I set out to find it again!!

Two weeks ago, I was strolling along Nanjing East Road with my daughter when we saw a Smurfs exhibition at Shanghai Shimao Plaza. I learned that the first Smurfs theme park in the Asia-Pacific region was about to grandly open. I immediately made plans to visit. After all, who says you can’t be a kid again?

A Date with the Smurfs

Bus route: As a Yangpu local, I took Shanghai Metro Line 8 to Lujiabang Road, then transferred to Line 9 to Dongjing Station. From there, I caught Bus No. 96 and rode for about 15 minutes to the Shimao Nano Magic City exit.

If you’re lucky on Line 9, you might encounter the Smurfs-themed train—it’s explosively cute. But I only caught a glimpse and didn’t have time to snap a photo.

I arrived in the morning just in time for the grand opening ceremony.

For those born in the 80s, the Smurfs leave an indelible impression. The moment I saw Papa Smurf, I started singing:

‘Over mountain, over sea,

There’s a village full of Smurfs, you see.

They’re lively and clever,

They’re cheeky and fun,

They live so free in the green forest,

They’re kind and brave and care for everyone.

Oh, lovely Smurfs...’

This song has been sung since childhood—there’s no way I could ever forget it.

The Smurfs are adorable, but I actually feel more sympathy for Gargamel and Azrael. They always try to cause trouble but never succeed—probably the most unsuccessful villains ever.

With so many Smurfs, apart from the most distinctive Smurfette and Papa Smurf, the others do look quite similar. Yet each has a unique personality: Hefty, who loves working out; Brainy, the bespectacled boy who loves learning and showing off his cleverness; Jokey, the prankster... They’re all so interesting. How many can you recognize?

Recommended Route: Journey to the Center of the Earth – Flight of Fantasy – Adventure King 6D Cinema – Forest Maze – Berry Swing – Magic Mirror Makeover – Jelly Cup – Berry Roller Coaster – Magic Brush Painting – Smurfette’s Garden – Dark Laboratory – Potion Mixer – Azrael’s Drop Tower – Swamp Adventure

Upon entering, you first step into the Great Mall area, where you’ll find the visitor center and lockers. Kids can pick up a play map here—but it’s more than just a map. There are 17 check-in points marked on it. After completing the challenges at each attraction, you can redeem gifts at the end.

Must-sees in this zone: Journey to the Center of the Earth, Flight of Fantasy, and Adventure King 6D Cinema.

Flight of Fantasy is also eye-catching. The enormous stained-glass dome ceiling is spectacular, especially when morning light streams in. My daughter loved this ride; she felt like a little princess riding in a pink spaceship.

Journey to the Center of the Earth:

This is a gentle, sightseeing indoor roller coaster. The journey is divided into five stages: descending to the earth’s core, encountering minerals, an earthquake, escaping lava, and entering the inner core. The indoor scenery, light effects, and sound create a tense atmosphere, but children can ride too. It’s actually perfect for family outings—you can even teach your kids some geography about the Earth’s interior.

Adventure King 6D Cinema:

6D refers to hearing, sight, smell, touch, taste, and sensation. Each film lasts about 15 minutes, and the dreamiest part is the bubbles that float down at the end! So beautiful—you must experience it. Shows run on the hour; the one I watched was at 1 PM.

This is a classic attraction, incredibly realistic, making you feel completely immersed.

The large suspended spherical-screen cinema has four capsules, and the ride lasts about five minutes. However, there are height and age restrictions: suitable for visitors between 1.4m and 1.95m tall, and under 60 years old. So some kids might miss out, but us adults got to enjoy it thoroughly.

Forest Maze, Berry Swing, and Magic Mirror Makeover are in the Forest Zone of the Smurf area, all relatively suitable for younger children.

Walking into the Forest Maze makes you feel like you’ve shrunk. The Berry Swing is a mini version of a giant swing—great for building up courage. Both are fantastic spots for photos. I couldn’t resist taking a picture at the entrance of the maze.

The Jelly Cup, Berry Roller Coaster, Smurfette’s Garden, and Magic Brush Painting are even cuter—straight out of the Smurfs cartoon.

On the Jelly Cup ride, you feel like a dollop of jam that might get shaken out.

The Berry Roller Coaster is probably the most thrilling ride in the park! You must give it a go. While the slopes look gentle, it’s actually quite hair-raising—adults were screaming in fright. The intensity of this indoor coaster genuinely surprised me!

Smurfette’s Garden is perfect for little ones; girls especially love it. As the lights come on, kids spin around in the garden just like Smurfette.

Magic Brush Painting is great for parent-child fun—come and draw together in the mushroom house. Here, kids can color in a Smurf however they like, creating their own unique sprite. After scanning, your Smurf is projected onto a screen, and you’ll see your hand-colored figure come to life! You’ll have to try it yourself to feel that sense of accomplishment.

Gargamel’s home area is a bit darker in tone.

Among the Dark Laboratory, Potion Mixer, Azrael’s Drop Tower, and Swamp Adventure, I especially recommend the Dark Laboratory. It’s a bit like a haunted house—I was scared walking through it, and there were giant hands blocking the path. To exit, you can take a slide; the slope isn’t steep and the speed isn’t fast, so kids can enjoy it without worry.

Swamp Adventure is like Plants vs. Zombies—you use berries to defeat Gargamel and Azrael. You can compete with your child to see who scores higher; scores and photos are displayed at the exit.

Of course, no theme park is complete without a parade. Every day at 2:30 PM, there’s a float parade. Papa Smurf and Smurfette wave from their float, and you can even see the wicked Gargamel brewing a magic potion. Kids can go up and hug the Smurfs; the performers are very enthusiastic and give out balloons as gifts.

Apart from these must-see attractions, there’s plenty more to enjoy.

There are so many photo spots—exploring on your own might be even better.

Feeling hungry? Time to eat! The Smurf Restaurant offers a variety of combo meals in a lovely setting.

I personally recommend the Chef Smurf Bolognese set and the Papa Smurf burger set—generous portions, great taste, plus ice cream and coconut water.

Besides the Smurf Restaurant, there are several other dining spots like Gargamel’s Magic Water, offering popcorn, cake, and more. They even have bubble tea! As a milk tea fanatic, I was over the moon.

And of course, you’ll want to shop. The Smurf Gift Shop is packed with Smurfs waiting to go home with you! I recommend the plush toys and mugs, especially the Smurf dressed in a ‘Shanghai’ top—a limited-edition item here. And surprise, surprise—they also have blind boxes, which are all the rage. Which Smurf will you get? It depends on your luck! (I wonder if there are any secret editions.) Expect to spend around 200–300 yuan per person, depending on what souvenirs you fancy.

A full visit takes about 4–5 hours. Due to time constraints, I only bought a single-park ticket for the Smurfs theme park. If time permits, I recommend the combo ticket for the Smurfs Theme Park and the Sinkhole Wonderland. There’s a free Smurf train shuttle between the parks, which is very convenient. You’ve probably seen Sinkhole Wonderland online—the internet-famous glass walkway, the giant swing overlooking the deep pit... If I have the chance, I’ll experience it along with a hotel stay and write a detailed guide for you later.

Shanghai Shimao Elf City Theme Park – Smurfs Theme Park

Essential Info

Address: No. 5088 Chenhua Road, Songjiang District

Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Ticket Prices: Single-park adult ticket 149 yuan, child ticket 79 yuan