A new place to visit in Shanghai: Spend a day at Songcheng and feel the charm of the Oriental Broadway
The world is so big, I want to see it! Especially with the 'Fly as You Like' deals offered by major airlines, traveling anywhere is both affordable and convenient, with no more worrying about ticket price hikes putting you off. Knowing my privileges would expire in two months, I naturally didn't want to miss the Labor Day Golden Week. Heard that the Songcheng performance I like had opened in Shanghai, so I set my sights there and went to soak up the festive atmosphere.
Compared to Songcheng in other cities, this one in Shanghai has come up with many new tricks! The scenic area is on the banks of the Huangpu River in the Expo Park, with seven floors in total. Each floor's facilities are highly distinctive, as if entering a fantasy world. It's a leisure destination suitable for all ages. I recommend dressing up to match those nostalgic scenes for a feeling of time travel. It won't be long before it becomes a new Instagrammable hotspot.
The moment I stepped through the gate, I unveiled its mysterious veil. It's said that it will be built into 'Asia's Performing Arts Capital' and a 'World Living Room', which is highly anticipated.
⏰Opening hours: 10:00–21:00
🚇Transport: Take Metro Line 13, get off at Century Avenue station
📍Location: No. 1750 Shibo Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Show with meal: 'Passionate Samba' — experience South American flair
The performances at Songcheng are the essence, and this time they've launched different types of shows with various ticket types, covering all ages so everyone can enjoy them. The main ones are: the flagship show 'Shanghai Eternal Love', the dinner show 'Passionate Samba', the high-energy show 'Colors', and the family show 'Wow! Dinosaurs', etc.
Perhaps because I hadn't been abroad for a long time, I especially wanted to experience some foreign exoticism, so I chose the dinner show 'Passionate Samba'. The performers are all from South America, their tall and muscular figures a feast for the eyes. The biggest feature of this show is that you can eat while watching — a double enjoyment for the senses! It lasts 60 minutes, and each segment presents unparalleled splendor. When South American charm and Latin singing and dancing blend perfectly, joy is boundless and the whole place rocks!
Exchange your ticket in advance and enter through Theater No. 5 on the first floor before 18:00. Staff will guide you throughout. Find your table and sit down to wait for the wonderful show — every chapter is eye-opening.
On the table, a basket of whole-wheat rolls, smoked meat and vegetable salad, and red wine are placed in advance. If you're hungry, you can have a bite to tide you over. At the moment of raising a glass, music slowly starts, and the South American performers appear with sizzling dance moves, catching the audience's eyes.
I especially loved the exhilarating drum dance performance from Argentina. The performers made dashing moves to the beat of the drums, and the passion on their faces infected everyone, making your body unconsciously sway along!
Halfway through the show, performers of the lamp dance slowly went to the tables and interacted with the audience up close. Their exaggerated styling was visually striking; you couldn't bear to look away for even half a second, afraid of missing any excitement.
Next, the chef took the stage for a roast chicken performance, after which the servers brought a large platter of roasted meat and desserts to each table. The portions were generous — this 'mix' of good food and hot dance satisfied everyone's taste buds.
In the final part, some audience members are warmly invited on stage to dance samba. Interactive and dynamic, the music brings the atmosphere to a climax. I have to say, that hour was truly enjoyable; my whole body and mind relaxed completely, and all the worries of daily life were thrown out of the window.
Songcheng is vast, and the blend of Chinese and Western cultures gives it a cosmopolitan vibe. Apart from these large-scale shows, the other attractions can keep you entertained all day, and most of them don't require separate tickets. It's truly a paradise for both children and adults.
The daily performance schedule and times are posted in detail; you can check according to your booked time. Each floor has its own unique features, with everything from food and drink to fun — you won't feel tired even after a whole day.
Outdoor shows are mostly on the 1st floor at the Bird Show Theater, Music Square, Bubble Theater, etc. If you're visiting with children, don't miss 'Forest Magic Birds'. This show not only teaches about birds, but the performer also works with parrots to complete difficult tricks. Different kinds of parrots showcase small talents — they can sing, roller-skate, ride a bike, bowl, dance, and more, drawing laughter from the audience.
The 'Magical Bubble Show' features a clown who blows tons of bubbles to amuse everyone; it's very interactive, and he also hands out balloon animals for visitors to play with.
'Secrets of the Forest' is like stepping into a forest wonderland. The performers are good-looking foreigners, and they invite children to interact, creating an unending joyful atmosphere.
'Miracle' is a magical performance where the magician conjures all sorts of unexpected tricks, holding everyone's gaze and making you widen your eyes to guess what will happen next.
There are also large lawns and flower fields outdoors, with many hammocks set up for lounging in the sun, enjoying leisurely moments.
'Flower Dance' on the rooftop of the Cliff Theater is also especially wonderful. A group of elegant ballet dancers, like swans, dance gracefully with flower wreaths. Their dazzling dance paired with the view of the Huangpu River is intoxicating.
After watching the special performances, if time permits, I suggest exploring every floor — you'll find many different surprises. Brave souls can visit the 'Strange Tales' haunted house for a thrill, but it's not recommended for children to go alone. The lighting inside is very dark, and the scenes are realistic and scary, so adult accompaniment is a must.
If you're a girl wanting photos, don't miss the Elf Cottage on the seventh-floor terrace. I suggest wearing a long dress; any snapshot here looks like a hobbit's home. Without going to New Zealand, you can step into a fairy-tale world, with romantic flowers and plants everywhere.
Push open the door, and the interior decoration replicates scenes from the movies, perfect for photo ops.
Coming out of the cottage, opposite is a climbing slide that kids love — crawling up the ropes is quite fun.
My personal favorite is the sixth floor — it's a real treasure world. The 'Sky Market' here displays goods like works of art, making you feel like you're back in the Middle East. If you like something, you can buy it. Beams of light stream through the transparent glass skylight, perfect for photos.
Walking further in, there's a costume rental place. If you want to time-travel, you can rent a qipao for 150 yuan and go back to old Shanghai for a photoshoot. The old props all carry a sense of age, silently telling stories of the past.
There are also several halls specifically for photography, with various styles — especially the upside-down room, horizontal room, tilted room, invisibility room, and kaleidoscope are not to be missed.
If you want some quiet time alone, head to 'Arabian Nights' to seek that warm glow in your heart.
When night falls, Songcheng is bathed in colorful lights, adding a charming ambiance. It's perfect to stroll on the terraces and enjoy the bustling night.
If you're in Shanghai and don't know where to go, spend a day at Songcheng for a different kind of vacation. It's a new performance park that defies imagination, meeting all your needs, and you can have your own 'amazing journey.'
Practical info on tickets and transport:
Shanghai Songcheng + main show 'Shanghai Eternal Love' audience adult ticket, gate price: 399 yuan/person
Shanghai Songcheng + dinner show 'Passionate Samba' adult ticket (excluding Eternal Love), gate price: 399 yuan/person
Shanghai Songcheng + family show 'Wow! Dinosaurs' 1 adult + 1 child ticket (excluding Eternal Love), gate price: 399 yuan/set
Address: No. 1750 Shibo Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Transport: Metro Line 13, Shibo Avenue station, Exit 1, then 497 meters on foot.
