Shanghai World Travel Notes | A guide to retro and trendy things in a century-old legend】

From the "No. 1 Amusement Park in the Far East" to the Palace of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Shanghai World is no ordinary shopping mall! Founded by Huang Chujiu in 1917, it was once the most popular indoor amusement park in old Shanghai and was known as the "No. 1 Club in the Far East." During its heyday, there were funhouse mirrors, opera, juggling, magic, delicious food, and even a racecourse. It is a childhood memory of "the world of fun and the art of entertainment" for old Shanghainese. In 2017, this century-old building was reborn with the theme of "intangible cultural heritage". It not only has the style of old Shanghai, but also incorporates modern gameplay such as VR and digital art. It is a paradise for retro lovers and literary youth! --- 🎡 Must-play items: Unlock 5 ways to travel through time 1️⃣ Classic funhouse mirror check-in There is a row of 12 funhouse mirrors at the entrance, which can make you taller, fatter, and twisted into various funny shapes, and instantly travel back to your childhood! It is recommended to go in the morning when there are fewer people so you can easily take retro film-like photos. 2️⃣ Immersive experience of intangible cultural heritage ▪️ Intangible cultural heritage original exhibition hall: watch craftsmen blowing sugar figures and drawing sugar paintings on the spot, and you can also experience dough modeling and paper cutting by yourself, and bring your children to feel the charm of traditional craftsmanship. ▪️ Digital Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall: Use AR/VR technology for interaction. For example, if you graffiti on the "24 Solar Terms Painting Wall", the work will be turned into an animation projected onto the wall, giving it a full sense of technology. 3️⃣ Watch the show for free! Tips for getting the best deals▪️ The big stage on the first floor: Acrobatics, magic, and folk art performances are performed every day. The most frequent performances are in the afternoon. It is better to reserve a seat half an hour in advance for a better view. ▪️ Opera Teahouse: Listen to Peking Opera, Yue Opera, and Pingtan for free. It is a favorite of old fans, and young people can also feel the charm of traditional singing. 4️⃣ Take photos of retro scenes that will burst your memory▪️ Meet the 1978 exhibition area: Reproductions of old Shanghai homes, tobacco and paper shops, and public telephone booths from the 1970s and 1980s. It’s very atmospheric to take photos wearing cheongsam or floral shirts. ▪️ Stained Glass Corridor: Sunlight casts light and shadows through the geometric glass. It is recommended to take pictures after 3 pm and bring your own retro filter. 5️⃣ Hidden ways to play: night markets and limited activities▪️ Night Tour of the World: There are light shows + immersive dramas on holiday nights, such as "Dream of Shanghai at Night", where actors wear cheongsams and improvise in the corridors for a unique experience. ▪️ Seasonal markets: There are often intangible cultural heritage food streets during the Mid-Autumn Festival and Spring Festival, where you can buy freshly made meat mooncakes and candied haws. Foodies should not miss it. --- 🍜 Guide to eating and shopping in the surrounding area▪️ Yunnan South Road Food Street: 5 minutes walk, check in Da Huchun Shengjian and Xiao Shaoxing White-Cut Chicken, each costing only 30 yuan. ▪️ Guangming Zou Fresh Meat Mooncake: a time-honored internet celebrity, with queues starting at half an hour, eat it while it’s hot and the juicy crust is oozing out. 🚇 Transportation Tips: Take Metro Line 8 and go directly to Dashijie Station from Exit 1. Parking is difficult and expensive when driving by car, so it is recommended to take the subway. --- Open until 23:00 on holidays, the night market is more lively. ✅ Parent-child friendly: There is a children's playground on the 3rd floor (game machines require coins), and the intangible cultural heritage classroom on the 4th floor can be booked for hand-made experience. --- 📌 Summary: The soul of Shanghai is hidden here! From a carnival venue in the Republic of China to a new landmark of intangible cultural heritage, the Great World uses a funhouse mirror, an old-fashioned radio, and a shadow play to string together the fireworks of Shanghai over the past century. Whether you are a nostalgic person, a photographer, or a family with children, you can unlock N ways to play in half a day~ 📍Address: No. 1, Xizang South Road, Huangpu District ⏰Suggested duration: 3-4 hours (entry at 2 pm + night show is more worthwhile)