A Mysterious Storm Descends on Shanghai, the Magic City, Bringing You into a Different World of Songcheng

When it comes to Songcheng, I'm sure no one is unfamiliar. Since the first 'Hangzhou Songcheng' appeared, followed by Lijiang, Sanya, Guilin, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie and a series of Songcheng cultural parks, they have come one after another. I myself have a deep affection for Songcheng, having visited each one more than once.

When I heard that Shanghai Songcheng opened its doors at the end of last month, I couldn't wait and rushed over during the last few days of the May Day holiday to see this grand spectacle.

Shanghai Songcheng is located in the World Expo Park on the Huangpu River, with a prime location. The main building was previously a workshop of the Shanggang No.3 Factory. The Songcheng team transformed and renovated the old factory, integrating Shanghai's local cultural heritage to tell the story of Greater Shanghai's past and present. Facing the beautiful Huangpu River, its arrival has undoubtedly become a new landmark among Shanghai's amusement and performance theme parks. In future holidays, visitors to Shanghai will have another great place to enjoy.

Day 1: Magic Bubble Show – Crystal Ball Performance – Forest Bird Show – Sky Street – Hobbit House (Elf Valley) – Castle in the Sky – Clown Comedy Show – Aerial Ballet – Dressing-up Hall – Tracing Shanghai’s Roots – Modern Times

Main evening show: Passionate Samba Dinner Show

A plethora of shows, a mysterious world that defies imagination.

Summer has arrived much earlier than in previous years; before the true summer even begins, the weather has already turned hot and muggy. During this first short holiday of the year, May Day, many people who finished their busy work wanted to use these five days to relax. In Shanghai, 'The Romance of Songcheng' show, which opened right at the May Day holiday, undoubtedly became one of the hottest entertainment choices in Shanghai this May Day.

Everyone at Shanghai Songcheng will experience their own mysterious journey. Strolling along Eternal Love Street, the first thing that caught my eye was the extremely fun Magic Bubble Show. When I arrived, the venue was packed; all seats were long gone, and people were almost sitting on the stage. The clown performed energetically, and many children caused mischief and played around. The whole scene was pure joy without limits.

On Sky Street, you could see a mesmerizing crystal ball performance. A young man expertly manipulated several transparent crystal balls, showcasing a performance full of power and beauty. The audience applauded continuously.

In the Bird Show Park, the new friends were not to be outdone. Macaws from faraway Africa were putting on a spectacular live show. These clever little creatures could do math, play with balls, and even ride bicycles. Not only were their cycling skills superb, but they could also steer around corners. Truly amazing.

After watching a few of these wonderful shows, you can stop and take a rest. Of course, for me, taking beautiful photos is a must. Wherever I go, I always think I shouldn't let down the effort I put into dressing up that day. Sky Street and the Hobbit House are the perfect spots to check in and capture beautiful photos.

Sky Street has a retro, exotic style, which is somewhat related to old Shanghai and also reminded me of Guo Moruo's poem 'The Market in the Sky'. It is said that Shanghainese place great importance on quality of life and enjoyment. Many of the items displayed here have profound cultural heritage and are rare treasures. Items like porcelain bowls and ceramic lamps that exude elegance can all be seen on Sky Street. Of course, the vintage decorations are also perfect for photos, making you look very elegant and noble.

The Hobbit House, inspired by the design of Hobbit houses from New Zealand, looks very fresh and charming. The interior connects the small houses into a corridor that feels like traveling through time and space. It has many different scenes where visitors can admire them or find a comfortable chair to rest and enjoy the air conditioning. Truly, you can experience this beauty without leaving the country.

Standing on the observation deck upstairs, you can gaze far into the distance at the banks of the Huangpu River; the scenery is truly delightful. Just then, I happened upon the 'Clown Comedy Show'. Six girls were skillfully manipulating their 'little darlings', bringing a fantastic performance to the visitors. The audience cheered repeatedly, and the joyful atmosphere was abundant.

As the music changed, three amusing clowns came on stage. With quick eyes and nimble hands, they performed in a magical world, working together seamlessly. They frequently interacted with the children, bringing a steady stream of happiness to this May Day holiday.

What I found most novel and wonderful was the ballet dancers performing above the Huangpu River. Holding floral garlands, they were as graceful as mermaids, constantly changing their dance formations. Every frame was so elegant and natural. The sound of the wind and the river water became the most beautiful accompaniment. Feeling the river breeze, I savored this blissful romance.

Strolling along, I was drawn by a sign that read 'Time-Travel Dressing Hall'. In Shanghai, I think many people have an image of a nightclub from the old Shanghai era. Indeed, Shanghai Songcheng has incorporated this as well, with a 'Modern Times' themed exhibition hall. Here you can freely imagine and transform into a dancer or a wealthy young lady from old Shanghai. We often see in TV dramas how charming and elegant the women of old Shanghai were, and this is the place where you can fulfill that fantasy.

On the dressing tables, various models of dancers in qipao are displayed; girls seeing them will surely not want to move away. There is a professional team that will create the perfect look for you, meeting your needs. Then you can take beautiful photos and truly make the trip worthwhile.

From the moment you change into the costume, you feel as if you have traveled back to 19th-century Shanghai. Back then, there was cable TV, and everyone gathered to watch the daily 'News Broadcast' on time. The hall is filled with rare treasures: old telephones, abacuses, vintage photos, pull-chain lamps, wooden tables and chairs, portable speakers, and more. Every corner seems to trace back to the prosperous and modern era of old Shanghai.

Throughout the day, Songcheng kept surprising me. It truly lives up to the grandeur of 'Songcheng culture'. Every outdoor corner makes you not want to miss anything. Moreover, the various indoor performances are certainly the most anticipated part of visiting Songcheng. After all, what lingers in your memory are the immersive shows of the Songcheng series.

South American culture lands at Shanghai Songcheng: Enjoy the hot samba dance.

Before its opening, Shanghai Songcheng used its most representative shows as its biggest promotional weapons. Social media feeds were flooded with these spectacular performances. Without even mentioning the Songcheng-style classic 'The Romance of Shanghai', what really made me scream this time was the brand-new dining show 'Passionate Samba'.

In Theatre No. 5, you can experience the passionate Samba show, the latest offering from Shanghai Songcheng. A grand South American storm has swept across the Shanghai Bund!

Here you can not only enjoy the hot dance but also indulge in a sumptuous feast. That is the show's greatest feature: drinking and dancing at the same time, with an atmosphere comparable to the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

I call this show a passionate clash of gourmet food and fiery dance. The entire atmosphere is very Western, giving a sense of harmonious enjoyment where international cultures blend and interact. Performers from Argentina, Cuba, Ukraine, Russia and other countries give it their all. Every dance step is the perfect result of countless hours of practice. In addition, they suddenly 'ambush' the audience to interact, making you scream with delight. The final group dance pushes the dinner atmosphere to a climax.

Music constantly changes, and the passionate dancers on stage get the audience moving. By this point, no one can hold back. As the climax arrives, everyone is singing and dancing. It feels as if the entire space is radiating a happy and relaxed atmosphere.

After the excitement, chefs in their whites bring out plate after plate of sumptuous dishes for the visitors to enjoy. From appetizer salads to main course meat platters, and a drink of your choice, every aspect is designed for enjoyment. Around the 270-degree stage, at the exquisite dining tables, everyone is with friends, raising glasses and feeling thrilled about the moment. The entire venue is filled with exhilaration and high energy!

In addition to the thrilling performances, the South American cuisine is also noteworthy: whole wheat bread, Salvadorian tuna vegetable salad, Rio-style tropical barbecue platter, and Starlight Words pastry. Every dish is exquisitely presented, as if you’ve stepped into a high-end Western restaurant. But that’s not all. In similar dinner-show experiences, most drinks are charged separately and are often quite expensive, so many people forgo the fine wines. But at Shanghai Songcheng's Passionate Samba dinner show, Italian red wine is provided free of charge—unlimited refills! Moreover, many desserts are delicious, and most importantly, you can have unlimited 'refills' to satisfy all your culinary and visual cravings.

As the evening sets in, standing at the 'Cliff Theatre' on the rooftop terrace of Shanghai Songcheng, leaning against the railing and feeling the breeze, listening to a concert while taking in the panoramic riverside scenery—all the beauty of the waterfront is before your eyes.

Watching the sunset glow reflecting on the Huangpu River, the lights twinkling on the opposite shore, a gentle breeze blowing, my heart was filled with reluctance. A day of joyful fun with friends was drawing to a close. Shanghai Songcheng sincerely welcomes everyone who loves 'Songcheng culture'. It is a new performance park that defies imagination, truly a 'must-see place in a lifetime'.

I believe that as long as you come to 'Shanghai Songcheng', you will encounter unexpected surprises at any moment. Additionally, there is a horror house 'Ghost Ship', a HIGH show 'Color', a parent-child show 'WA! Dinosaurs', and many other experiences and performances waiting for you to discover and enjoy! There will be many more holidays for you to check in and have fun!

Opening hours: 10:00–21:00

Address: Inside 'Expo Park', Shibo Avenue, Pudong New District, Shanghai. Direct access via Metro Line 13, get off at Shibo Avenue Station; or Line 8, get off at Zhonghua Art Palace Station.

Shanghai Songcheng + main show 'The Romance of Shanghai' at Theatre No. 1 – adult ticket (three showtimes: 14:00 / 16:40 / 19:20): RMB 399/person

Shanghai Songcheng + HIGH show 'Color' inside the park – adult ticket (excluding 'The Romance'): RMB 399/person

Shanghai Songcheng + dinner show 'Passionate Samba' at Theatre No. 5 – adult ticket (excluding 'The Romance'), 18:00 show: RMB 399/person

Shanghai Songcheng + parent-child show 'WA! Dinosaurs' – 1 adult + 1 child ticket (excluding 'The Romance'), 15:30 show (only on holidays): RMB 399/person