上海千古情 Shanghai Romance Park Show Review
Hi my lovely readers!
If you have been trying to decide whether 上海千古情 (Shànghǎi Qiāngǔ Qíng / Shanghai’s Eternal Romance Show) belongs on your Shanghai itinerary, read on for a full review on the jaw-dropping parts and the parts that didn’t quite live up to the hype.
We spent slightly over half a day at 上海宋城 (Shànghǎi Sòngchéng / Shanghai Romance Park), the theme park that hosts the show, arriving late morning (around 10:30am) and catching the 2pm performance with VIP seats.
What We Did at 上海宋城 Shanghai Romance Park
The Theme Park: Pretty, But Know What You Are Coming For
We timed our arrival to have about two to three hours in the park before the 2pm show, which, in hindsight, was the right call.
The park is set in a beautifully recreated version of old Shanghai, and the 老上海街 (Lǎo Shànghǎi Jiē / Old Shanghai Streets) and the Harbour area are the real stars of the park experience. The retro architecture, vintage signage, and golden-era aesthetic look incredible in photos, and in person, it holds up completely. If you are there for content or just to soak up the atmosphere, you can spend a lovely hour wandering these areas.
One thing absolutely worth planning around, and this is something most reviews do not mention, is the 主街表演 (Zhǔ Jiē Biǎoyǎn / Main Street Performance). This is a proper large-scale outdoor performance on the same main street, and it is a completely different level from the smaller scattered acts. It is grand, filled with high energy, and it is worth staying to watch. Check the performance schedule when you arrive and build your park time around it alongside the main show.
Tip: Grab something to eat along the old Shanghai streets before the show. There are food stalls and small restaurants with a great atmosphere, much better than trying to find lunch after. We had Oden and Molly Tea here!
There are also smaller performances, roughly 15 minutes each, scattered throughout the park, happening at various locations. Some examples are the show with this lady on a Roly Poly and also a bird introductory show, where the birds could even cycle. We also watched a couple who ad-libbed the most unexpected dialogues written by the audience. A disastrous result but a funny one for sure!
These are short street-style acts rather than full productions, and if you can’t understand Mandarin, you might be underwhelmed. Treat them as background entertainment while you explore, not as a reason to rush from spot to spot.
The park also has 2 haunted house attractions and they are included in your park ticket, so there is no reason not to go in. No reason except standing in front of the entrance, looking at the scary entrance, and deciding that the 上海千古情 show was quite enough excitement for one day.
Since I cannot give you a firsthand account, I would love to hear from anyone who did brave it. Was it worth going in? Was it scary enough to deliver, or more atmosphere than actual fright? Drop a comment below and help out everyone who is standing at that entrance doing exactly what I did!
Apart from that, the park is a bit thin on things to do. It is much more of a walking and photography experience than an activity-packed theme park. We did find a nice hobbit-inspired photo op spot on level 6. We made our time work, but there were stretches where we were not quite sure what to fill it with.
My honest tip on timing: if you are deciding between going early or arriving closer to your show time, factor in that early mornings at the park often bring large school groups, which makes the streets crowded and quite rowdy. If that is not your thing, aim to arrive mid-morning rather than right at opening. Two to three hours in the park before the show is plenty. Check the Main Street Performance times first, then work backwards from there.
上海千古情 Show
We had VIP seats for the 2pm showing and settled in, not entirely sure what to expect.
The show is a theatrical spectacular that traces the history and soul of Shanghai, but the story almost takes a back seat to the sheer scale of what they pull off on stage. The production value was much higher than expected.
The aerial acrobatics were the part that stopped my breath completely. Performers leaping off platforms, twirling through the air with impossible grace, and being caught by someone dangling from the opposite side. Every single time I was convinced it was about to go wrong, they nailed it. You will be gripping your seat as well.
There is a scene where a character (a 叶问 (a Martial Artist) lookalike) swoops in over the crowd with what appears to be an endless parade of stunt doubles, each one more dramatic than the last, and the whole audience just loses it. It is hilarious and electrifying all at once.
Then there are the drones. They used drones to carry giant whale props above the audience, these enormous glowing creatures sailing slowly over our heads while the lighting and sound built around them. That was pretty cool, I’ve never seen a production which uses drones like that.
The effects throughout, the lighting, the water, the smoke and the scale of the set pieces are matched perfectly to the performance. Nothing feels like filler.
Is VIP Worth It?
The VIP seats do put you in a better sightline position for the main stage, which matters for a show this visually dense. But even if you sit closer to the back, you will still be able to see when performers are flying overhead and drones are gliding across the ceiling. The actors do go up there and you might be able to see the special effects better. There were a few occasions that I had to glance back to see what was going on.
If You Are Travelling Solo
Solo is absolutely fine for this experience. The show is a shared audience event so you are surrounded by people the whole time, and the energy in the room carries you. Nobody cares that you are alone, because everyone is too busy staring at the stage.
The park beforehand is actually better solo in some ways. The old Shanghai streets are the kind of place you want to wander at your own pace, duck into a doorway for a photo, or sit and people-watch without coordinating with anyone. Take your time.
Getting There
📍 上海宋城 (Shànghǎi Sòngchéng / Shanghai Romance Park), 1750 世博大道 (Shìbó Dàdào / Expo Avenue), Pudong New Area, Shanghai
🚗 DiDi is the easiest option from central Shanghai, just search “Shanghai Romance Park” or “上海宋城” in the app. You can also take Metro Line 13 to 世博大道站 (Shìbó Dàdào Zhàn / Expo Avenue Station), Exit 4, and walk about 800 metres to the entrance.
🕐 Show times: 14:00 and 17:00. We went for the 2pm show, which I would recommend. You can explore the park in the morning, catch the show, and still have your evening free.
💰 VIP show ticket + park admission: approximately RMB 252 per person (SGD 49) booked via Pelago
📱 Book via Pelago and bring your passport to collect physical tickets at the entrance counter. WeChat Pay or Alipay for anything inside the park.
Tip: The Pelago booking process has a critical quirk you need to know about before you travel. Save your Pelago PDF ticket to your phone offline before you leave — Pelago requires an OTP to log in, and if you’re roaming without a working SIM, you won’t be able to access your booking at all.
Before You Go, Pelago and WeChat
Book in advance, especially for weekends and public holidays. The VIP seats sell out. Pelago has the bundle deal combining park admission and show ticket, which is the most straightforward way to book as a visitor from Singapore or overseas.
A few things to sort before you go: save your Pelago PDF offline (see Tip above), make sure WeChat Pay or Alipay is topped up for anything inside the park, and bring your passport, because you need it to collect your tickets at the counter.
Handy Mandarin Phrases
- Where is the ticket counter? 票务中心在哪里？(Piàowù zhōngxīn zài nǎlǐ?)
- Where are the VIP seats? 贵宾席在哪里？(Guìbīn xí zài nǎlǐ?)
- What time does the show start? 演出几点开始？(Yǎnchū jǐ diǎn kāishǐ?)
- One ticket please 一张票 (Yī zhāng piào)
- Can I take photos? 可以拍照吗？(Kěyǐ pāizhào ma?)
- This is very good! 太厉害了！(Tài lìhài le!)
FAQ: 上海千古情 Shanghai Romance Park Show
How long is the 上海千古情 show? The show runs for approximately one hour.
What language is the 上海千古情 show performed in? The show is performed in Mandarin Chinese with no English subtitles. This sounds like it would be a problem but it really is not. The production leans so heavily on visual storytelling that you follow everything through the performance itself. The language becomes background.
Can I take photos or video during the show? Photography for personal use is generally fine, but avoid using flash as it disrupts the atmosphere and other audience members. Video is trickier because the lighting conditions inside make it hard to capture well anyway. Enjoy it in the moment and get your photos on the old Shanghai streets outside, where the light is much kinder.
Is 上海千古情 suitable for children? Yes, families go regularly. The show has loud sound effects and some dramatic aerial sequences that might startle very young children, but for kids who are used to live theatre or performances, it is a great experience. The theme park surrounding it is also very walkable and manageable with children.
What should I wear to Shanghai Romance Park? Comfortable walking shoes, because you will be on your feet for a few hours in the park before the show. The theatre is air-conditioned, so bring a light layer if you run cold. There is no dress code, but the old Shanghai streets make for great photos so wear something you feel good in.
Can I book 上海千古情 tickets on Meituan? Yes, 美团 (Měituán / Meituan) and 大众点评 (Dàzhòng Diǎnpíng / Dianping) both carry listings for the show, often at competitive prices. For overseas visitors without a Chinese payment method set up, Pelago and KKday are easier to navigate. Whichever platform you use, bring your passport, because you need it to collect physical tickets at the counter.
Are there other Songcheng 千古情 shows in China? Yes, the 千古情 (Qiāngǔ Qíng / Eternal Romance) series is a franchise with shows in Hangzhou, Sanya, Lijiang, and other cities. The Hangzhou show at the original 宋城 (Sòngchéng / Songcheng) is considered the flagship and is worth comparing if you are visiting Hangzhou too. Each show is tailored to the history and culture of its city.
What is the best time of year to visit Shanghai Romance Park? Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable in terms of weather. Summer is hot and humid but the show itself is indoors so it is manageable. Try to avoid Chinese public holidays like 国庆节 (Guóqìng Jié / National Day Golden Week) in early October, as the park gets very crowded and VIP tickets sell out fast.
Is there a refund or reschedule policy for tickets booked on Pelago? Policies vary and change, so always check at the time of booking. As a general rule, most show tickets in China are non-refundable once confirmed. If your travel plans are uncertain, check whether Pelago offers a flexible cancellation option before purchasing.
Have you been to 上海千古情 or another of the Songcheng shows around China? I would love to know which one is your favourite. Drop me a comment below and tell me!
Links
- Shanghai 6-Day Itinerary Guide
- Is Shanghai Safe for Solo Female Travellers
- 宫宴 Gong Yan Imperial Banquet Experience Review
- Zhujiajiao Water Town Day Trip
