宫宴 (Gong Yan) Shanghai Review: Dining Like Imperial Royalty
Hi my lovely readers!
I need to talk about 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn / Palace Banquet) because I think this is one of the best experiences in Shanghai.
When I first saw it all over Tiktok and social media, I thought it looked gimmicky and overrated. But it wasn’t. In fact, it was one of the best afternoons of our entire trip and I would love to go back again.
What is 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) Shanghai?
宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) is an immersive dining experience in the Jing’an district where you’re seated in a grand performance hall and served a multi-course imperial banquet while live performances unfold on the stage between each dish. It’s part fine dining, part period drama, and completely unlike anything else in Shanghai.
The experience rotates through different dynasty themes by season. We visited the 春宴 (Chūnyàn / Spring Banquet), which follows a Ming Dynasty theme. That means the food, the performances, the music, the costumes and the overall aesthetic are all drawn from Ming court culture.
The whole session runs for around two hours. You’re seated at long communal banquet tables facing a stage, and courses arrive one by one, each brought out with a bit of ceremony. Between dishes, performers take the stage: dancers in full court costumes, live musicians, theatrical sequences that give each course its moment before the next one arrives.
The production quality is high. The lighting, the sound, the costumes, the choreography. It really does feel like being inside a period drama, except you’re also eating very well, which is an upgrade on most period dramas.
The Food: What We Ate at the Spring Banquet
Before the main courses begin, you settle in with tea and lighter bites while the atmosphere builds.
We were served 武夷山大红袍 (Wǔyí Shān Dàhóngpáo / Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao tea), a premium roasted oolong from Fujian with a rich, warming depth to it. Then came the 宫廷点心 (Gōngtíng Diǎnxīn / court snacks): 杨梅糕 (Yángméi Gāo / waxberry pastry) and 黑芝麻驴打滚 (Hēizhīma Lǘ Dǎgǔn / black sesame glutinous rice rolls).
Alongside that, the 宫廷冷盘 (Gōngtíng Lěngpán / cold starter dishes): 海苔花生 (Hǎitái Huāshēng / seaweed-coated peanuts), 炝拌辣木苗 (Qiàngbàn Làmù Miáo / crispy moringa seedlings), and 酸辣裙带菜 (Suānlà Qúndàicài / spicy tangy wakame salad).
The drink of the session was the 桂花青梅酒 (Guìhuā Qīngméi Jiǔ / osmanthus plum wine), just 3 degrees alcohol, refillable throughout the meal. Floral, lightly sweet, and dangerously easy to keep sipping through a two-hour show.
Then the graphics on the plates started as they explained the fundamentals of each dish. Unfortunately, this part here is in Chinese, though I skipped most of it and just appreciate the effects.
Then the main courses:
1. 金华火腿豆腐汤 (Jīnhuá Huǒtuǐ Dòufu Tāng / Jinhua Ham and Tofu Soup) A milky-looking broth with silken tofu and the subtle saltiness of Jinhua ham running through it.
2. 香酥脆皮乳鸽 (Xiāngsū Cuìpí Rǔgē / Crispy Roasted Quail) The skin crackled, the meat was tender inside. This was one of the standout dishes of the entire meal.
3. 宫廷烩花胶 (Gōngtíng Huì Huājiāo / Imperial Braised Fish Maw) Rich, gelatinous, served with a deeply savoury sauce. The kind of dish that felt like something you’d only eat at a banquet.
4. 东坡肉 (Dōngpō Ròu / Dongpo Braised Pork) Slow-braised until meltingly soft, the fat and meat in that classic ratio. A Chinese classic, and this version did not disappoint. It arrived at exactly the right moment in the meal. They paired it with a refreshing drink, which washed off the fattiness of the pork.
5. 九层塔黑松露酱烤虾 (Jiǔcéngtǎ Hēisōnglù Jiàng Kǎo Xiā / Basil and Black Truffle Grilled Prawns) A more contemporary touch among the courses. Bold, aromatic, and a little unexpected in the best way.
6. 牛肉面 (Niúròu Miàn / Beef Noodle Soup) Served as the hearty food towards the end of the meal. This was really warm and comforting, though by this dish, we were really full already.
Then comes the finale, and this is where 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) really gets you.
The final performance plays out on stage, and when it ends, they bring out all the performers for their bow. Which you’d expect.
But then they also bring out all the chefs from the kitchen. Every single person who cooked your meal walks out to take a bow alongside the dancers and musicians. I thought that was really sweet. It says a lot about how they see the whole production. The food is just as much a part of the show as anything on that stage.
After the credits, we were handed a 糖葫芦 (Táng Húlu / candied hawthorn skewer) each. That classic street snack on a stick, glossy red and tart underneath the sugar shell. Yummy!
Then the dessert arrived: 龙井奶冻 (Lóngjǐng Nǎidòng / Longjing Tea Milk Pudding), a gentle, tea-scented pudding to close everything out properly.
Speaking of which, if it’s your birthday, watch for a message from the venue and call the number they send. If you don’t have a local Chinese number, ask your hotel receptionist to call on your behalf. At the end of the performances, they’ll bring birthday candles to your table to blow out, and the staff will say some auspicious well-wishes for you. A small touch, but a really lovely one.
After that, it’s your own time, finish your dessert at your own pace, take a few last photos, and head out when you’re ready.
The food overall is better than you might expect from an experience where the theatre is the centrepiece. Nothing felt like it was there just to fill a course slot. Everything arrived at the right temperature and was well-presented.
The Costume Experience (Optional Add-On)
Before the banquet hall opens, you can dress up in 汉服 (Hànfú / traditional Chinese court attire) with hair styling included for RMB 100 (SGD 19). Makeup is a separate RMB 100 (SGD 19) add-on, so the full package comes to RMB 200 (SGD 38).
If you’re already here for the full experience, go all in. The costumes are beautiful, the styling is done properly, and the photos inside the hall are something else entirely. That said, if you already have a separate 汉服 (Hànfú) photoshoot planned, you might want to skip this one. We didn’t do the costume add-on at 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) because we had our own shoot at West Lake in Hangzhou [LINK: Hanfu Photoshoot at West Lake Hangzhou], and that was the right call for us.
If you are going for the dress-up experience, arrive early. For the lunchtime banquet, I’d suggest getting there at 10am, around two hours before the start, which is also when they begin their operations. That gives you enough time to get changed, take photos in the surrounding area without feeling rushed, and still be ready when the hall doors open. The makeup queue gets long and you do not want to still be getting pinned into your sleeves at the last minute. The changing area can feel chaotic at peak times.
Tip: If you want to skip makeup to save time or money, the hair and costume alone still photograph beautifully and the queue is significantly shorter.
VIP Seats vs Normal Seats: Which Should You Book?
VIP seats are positioned at the front of the hall and include table-side service from the performers themselves, including the osmanthus wine poured at your table with ceremony.
Normal seats are further back but still have clear sightlines to the stage from everywhere in the hall.
For a first visit, I actually think the VIP seats are worth it. The experience is meaningfully different: you won’t have pillars in your sightline, and there’s a real chance of getting some interaction with the performers up close.
Other 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) Locations Across China
If you’re heading beyond Shanghai, 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) has branches in other cities too, each with its own dynasty theme.
The Beijing (北京, Běijīng) location is set around the Qianmen (前门, Qiánmén) area and follows a Qing Dynasty theme, so the food, costumes, and performances are drawn from a different era entirely. Worth noting if you’re doing both cities and want to compare.
Hangzhou (杭州, Hángzhōu) also has a 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn), which makes a lot of sense given how steeped in dynastic history that city is. If you’re doing a combined Shanghai and Hangzhou trip as we did, you could technically do both, though I’d pace yourself.
Each location books through the same WeChat mini-programme (search 宫宴预定 (Gōng Yàn Yùdìng) and select your city). Themes, menus, and pricing may vary between branches, so it’s worth checking what’s running when you visit.
If You Are Travelling Solo
宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) is one of the best solo dining experiences in Shanghai. The theatrical format means you’re never just sitting at a table waiting for conversation to happen. The performance keeps you engaged throughout, and the communal table seating means you’ll inevitably end up chatting to people nearby.
Solo Female Tip: This is one of the most comfortable solo experiences in Shanghai. The structure of the show holds the whole thing together, solo travellers are common here, and the staff are warm and attentive. You’ll feel completely at ease from the moment you walk in.
Getting There
📍 1485 West Beijing Road, 1F–2F, Jing’an District, Shanghai
🚇 Metro Line 2, 静安寺站 (Jìng’ān Sì Zhàn / Jing’an Temple Station), Exit 6
🕐 Lunch: check-in 11:30am, show starts 12:10pm | Dinner: check-in 6pm, show starts 6:30pm
💰 Lunch: RMB 398 (SGD 77) normal / RMB 498 (SGD 96) Second Row / RMB 598 (SGD 112) VIP |
Dinner: RMB 498 (SGD 96) normal / RMB 598 (SGD 112) Second Row / RMB 698 (SGD 134) VIP
💰 Add-ons: Costume + hair RMB 100 (SGD 19) | Makeup RMB 100 (SGD 19)
📱 Book via WeChat mini-programme: search 宫宴预定 (Gōng Yàn Yùdìng)
Before You Go: WeChat and Booking
You can book 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) directly through the WeChat (微信, Wēixìn) mini-programme. Search 宫宴预定 (Gōng Yàn Yùdìng), select Shanghai, choose your date and session (lunch or dinner), and pick your seating tier. If you are selecting the VIP seats, you’ll have to pay for everything in full.
This experience sells out 1 to 2 months ahead, especially for weekend dinner slots. The moment your Shanghai dates are confirmed, book the VIP seats. Do not leave it until the last minute.
Tip: The lunch session is generally slightly easier to book than dinner and works well if you want an afternoon of exploring Jing’an afterwards.
Handy Mandarin Phrases
我有预订 (Wǒ yǒu yùdìng) — I have a reservation
我想体验汉服 (Wǒ xiǎng tǐyàn hànfú) — I’d like to try the costume experience
酒可以续杯吗？(Jiǔ kěyǐ xù bēi ma?) — Can I have a refill of the wine?
换衣间在哪里？(Huàn yī jiān zài nǎlǐ?) — Where is the changing room?
今天是我的生日 (Jīntiān shì wǒde shēngrì) — Today is my birthday
服务员 (Fúwùyuán) — Excuse me / waiter
我想要普通座位 (Wǒ xiǎng yào pǔtōng zuòwèi) — I’d like a normal seat
我想要VIP座位 (Wǒ xiǎng yào VIP zuòwèi) — I’d like a VIP seat
FAQs About 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) Shanghai
How do I book 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) Shanghai? Book through the WeChat (微信, Wēixìn) mini-programme by searching 宫宴预定 (Gōng Yàn Yùdìng). Select Shanghai, choose your date, session time, and seating tier. Book at least 1 to 2 months ahead, especially for weekends. They sell out very quickly, we only got the 3 remaining seats by booking 3 weeks in advance.
How long does 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) last? The banquet and show run together for approximately two hours from the time the performance begins. If you’re adding the costume and hair experience, factor in an additional hour before the hall opens.
What is the difference between VIP and normal seats at 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn)? VIP seats are at the front of the hall, with no pillars blocking your view, and include table-side service from the performers, including the Osmanthus wine poured at your seat with ceremony. There is also a real chance of interaction with the performers. Normal seats are further back but still have sightlines to the stage. For the full experience, VIP is worth it.
Do I need to speak Chinese to enjoy 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn)? No. The performances are mostly visual and musical, and the storytelling comes through in the dancing, costumes, and staging, even without understanding every word. Staff can assist with basic English for practical questions. One thing to note, the graphics on the dishes are narrated in Chinese, though I didn’t pay close attention to them and just admired the graphics.
What dynasty theme is the 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn) Shanghai experience based on? The theme rotates by season. The Spring Banquet (春宴, Chūnyàn) follows a Ming Dynasty theme, with food, performances, and costumes all reflecting that era. Check the current season when booking, as the theme will vary.
Can I celebrate a birthday at 宫宴 (Gōng Yàn)? Yes. The venue will send you a message before the session, and you’ll need to call the number they provide to arrange it. If you don’t have a local Chinese number, ask your hotel receptionist to call on your behalf. At the end of the performances, the staff will bring birthday noodles and candles to your table and say some auspicious well wishes. A thoughtful touch and well worth arranging in advance.
Links
- The Ultimate Shanghai Guide and Hangzhou Travel Guide
- Is Shanghai Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
- Hanfu Photoshoot at West Lake Hangzhou
- Things to Do in Shanghai
