A Guide to Shanghai Circus World

Need a break from tall Shanghai skyscrapers and old museums? Don’t worry, Shanghai has much more to offer! Welcome to Shanghai Circus World, a brand new world of gravity-defying acrobatics, exciting stunts, and performances filled with colors, culture, and tons of excitement. Whether you're a bored individual seeking something thrilling, a natural thrill-seeker, or simply a culture lover, this venue won’t disappoint. So, are you ready for a day full of laughter, applause, and smiles? In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about Shanghai Circus World.

Shanghai Circus World is also known as the Circus Capital of China and is one of the most famous attractions in Shanghai. The architecture is super unique, perfectly representing Chinese culture. The main building includes a rehearsal arena, cultural-commercial complex, and animal enclosures, making it a vast venue hosting large-scale performances. Visitors can enjoy acrobatic shows, circus competition, international performances, animal stunts, and much more.

Address: 2266 Gonghexin Rd, Zhabei Qu, Shanghai, China, 200072

Timings: Shows are held on three slots: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM. The venue is mostly crowded at the 7:00 PM slot, so book accordingly.

Duration: One show typically lasts between 60 to 100 minutes.

Best time to Visit: Anytime of the Year is fine, but we would recommend avoiding holiday seasons, since it gets crowded.

Prices: A ticket costs around 120 to 280 RMB.

(For more information, deals, discount pages, and offers, visit their official website.)

Unique Architecture: The architecture of the Shanghai Circus is one of a kind, catching the eye of every passerby. The building is designed as a huge acrobatic area with a shiny dome top and circular walls.

State of the Art Performance Design: The dazzling lights, high-quality sound system, moving stages, and breathtaking performances make this venue a must-see attraction, offering once in a lifetime viewing experience for those visiting.

Unique Regular Shows: Shanghai Circus World is known to host its shows regularly, with examples being “Happy Circus” and “ERA: Interaction of Time”. If you are visiting with family, then we would recommend Happy Hour, which is full of laughter and animal performances. And if you are a foreign tourist or a thrill seeker in general, then ERA is the one for you, featuring stunts, acrobatics, and more.

You can make this day trip from Shanghai worthwhile by attending any of these two amazing shows at Shanghai Circus World, each with its own charm and qualities. Here is all you need to know about the main performances that happen daily at the venue, so you can choose the best for you and your family

ERA is a captivating and fun acrobatic performance that beautifully blends modern technology with traditional stunts. The performance revolves around a story of time travel, where talented artist from all over the world and China comes to show their acts. These stunts keep the audience on the edge of their seats, leaving their mouth wide open.

Timing: Monday to Friday, 7:30 PM and 2:00 PM.

Duration of the Show: There are two versions of this show, 60 minutes and 100 minutes, but the 100-minute one is much better if you want to see the best stunts.

Ticket Prices: The ticket price ranges from 380 to 880 RMB, depending on the choice of your seat.

Happy Circus is a family-friendly show that combines fun elements like animal stunts and jaw-dropping acrobatics. With audience participation, especially to click the photos with tiny horses and cute lambs, this show offers a perfect blend of human and animal performances. Those who find animal odor unbearable can opt for face masks, which are provided at the venue to keep things comfortable. Visitors can also purchase eating items like popcorn for 20 RMB and balloons for 10 RMB, and getting pictures with animals costs extra.

Timings: This performance has three slots throughout the week, 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM.

Duration of the Show: This show lasts for 100 minutes and has a 15-minute break.

Ticket Prices: Depending on the seat location, the ticket price costs around 120 to 190 RMB.

Every good trip should end with a fulfilling dinner, and that’s why we have selected the best places to eat near Shanghai Circus World for you, serving authentic Chinese cuisine, hot pots, noodles, and food for all dietary restrictions.

Wang Xiaozao Northeast Casserole Spicy Hot Pot serves the best hot pot in town, which is a must-try for everyone. The long waiting lines are enough to tell you about their flavors and demand, and a meal per person costs around 42 RMB only.

Address: 580 Lingshi Road (灵石路580号), Jing’an District, Shanghai, China

The chewy flatbread and juicy meat skewers are the highlights of Hu Wan Skewer Flatbread. The meal here costs around 20 RMB per person, and it is recommended to eat it while the bread is hot.

Address: 2266 Gonghexin Rd, Zhabei Qu, Shanghai, China,

Visiting Shanghai and not trying the soup dumpling is a crime! Qingjie Yuexiang Zialongbao serves some of the best dumplings in town, which are made fresh and are steaming hot. A single serving of dumplings for one person costs 24 RMB, which is on the very affordable side.

Address: 1-92, Lane 99, Guangzhong West Road, Daning Road Street, Jing’an District, Shanghai (i.e., Lane 99, Guangzhong West Road, near Daning Road)