Shanghai Songcheng Family Trip in July

Duration: 1 day
Time: July
Cost per person: 500 yuan
With whom: Family
The author visited these places: Shanghai Huangpu River, Xintiandi
Published on 2021-07-20 at 10:33

Shanghai Songcheng has opened its doors, and I’ve been eager to visit. With the summer vacation upon us, I decided to take my daughter on a spontaneous trip to explore Shanghai Songcheng. Each Songcheng location is designed to incorporate elements from its respective city. Situated along the Huangpu River on the World Expo Avenue, Shanghai Songcheng combines the city’s characteristics with many new attempts, making it one of the most worthwhile attractions for family outings in Shanghai.

A guide to the area distribution of Shanghai Songcheng:
First floor: Ghost Ship, Warfire, Costume Gallery, Theater 5 – Samba Passion, Theater 2 (WA! Dinosaurs), Magic Street, Sky Screen, Snack Square, Restaurant.
Second floor: Songcheng Story Exhibition Hall, Small Theater Cluster.
Third floor: Art Exhibition Space.
Fourth floor: Theater 1, Theater 3 (Shanghai Everlasting Emotion performance venue), Costume Gallery, Shenhu Traceability Bar, Modern Times.
Fifth floor: Performing Arts R&D Center.
Sixth floor: Inclined House, Side House, Invisibility House, VR Experience Hall (Moonlight Treasure Box), Storm Eye, Arabian Nights, Sky Street (Lamp Flash Mob, Crystal Ball), Theater 6, Sky Club Bar Terrace.
Rooftop: Sky City (Spirit of Water), Glass Observation Deck, Cliff Theater (Flower Dance), Elf Cave, Elf Valley, Elf Restaurant, Fantasy Space, Slide, Small Theater, Liaozhai Horror House, Shouting Spring.
Outdoors: Colorful Forest (Searching for Jurassic), Forest Theater (Miracle, Magic Bubble Show), Music Square, Play Pool, Bird Show Theater (Forest Bird Show), Performing Arts Park.

Recommended itinerary for a family visit: After entering the park at noon – Ghost Ship, Warfire – Abu Sister’s Story House – Crystal Ball – Baking Workshop – Inclined House, Side House, Invisibility House – Sky Street – Elf Cave, Elf Valley – Shenhu Traceability Bar, Modern Times – Parent-Child Show ‘WA! Dinosaurs’ (visit according to the schedule of daily activities).

It took a 2-hour drive from Changzhou to Songcheng, and under the 38-degree sun, we arrived right at noon. The main structure of Shanghai Songcheng is a six-story building with almost all activities indoors, which is perfect for summer family outings.

Check-in Point 1: Ghost Ship, Warfire.
At the entrance of the Ghost Ship and Warfire, there is a costume space with clothes from various eras. Although I, as a parent, was tempted to try them on, considering I was accompanying my two daughters, I decided to save it for next time. On the first floor, my second daughter strongly requested to enter the Ghost Ship and Warfire, and even my timid eldest daughter wanted to give it a try. They successfully completed the challenge. The Ghost Ship is somewhat similar to a haunted house, while Warfire recreates war scenes, giving children a very direct experience. For timid girls or younger children, it is advisable to be cautious.

Check-in Point 2: Abu Sister’s Story House.
This is an open space, somewhat like a reading corner. Children sit in a circle, and the picture book teacher vividly interprets the storybooks, interacting with the children in real-time. The children in kindergarten love listening to picture book stories. In Abu Sister’s Story House, my two daughters listened with great interest, always raising their hands high whenever the teacher asked questions.

Check-in Point 3: Sky Street.
Exotic-style shops surround you, as if you’ve walked into the Western Regions.**Shanghai Songcheng: A Family Adventure Paradise**

Shanghai Songcheng is a six-story indoor complex, an ideal destination for family outings, especially during the hot summer months. Here’s a detailed guide to our visit:

**Check-in Point 1: Ghost Ship and Warfire Costume Space**
At the entrance of the Ghost Ship and Warfire, we found a costume space filled with period clothing. As a mother, I was tempted to try them on, but I decided to focus on my two daughters this time, saving the costume fun for our next visit. On the first floor, both my daughters, surprisingly, wanted to explore the Ghost Ship and Warfire. They bravely faced their fears and completed the challenge.

*The Ghost Ship* provides a haunted house experience, while *Battle Field* recreates war scenes, offering a direct and thrilling sensation for children. However, for timid girls or younger kids, caution is advised.

**Checkpoint 2: Sister Abu’s Story House**
Sister Abu’s Story House is an open space, akin to a reading corner. Children gather in a circle as a picture book teacher brings stories to life and interacts with them in real time. Our girls were captivated, eagerly participating in the storytelling session.

**Checkpoint 3: Heavenly Street Market**
The Heavenly Street Market is a bustling area with exotic shops that transport you to a different world. Nearby attractions include the tilted house, side house, and invisible house, as well as a crystal ball performance and a baking workshop. The crystal ball show, performed with skill, drew a crowd. These houses are perfect for creative photo opportunities, encouraging children to explore angles and use their imagination.

At the baking workshop, children can make DIY cookies, wearing little chef’s attire. This hands-on activity not only excites them but also helps develop patience and manual skills.

**Checkpoint 4: Elf Cave and Elf Valley**
Venturing from the Heavenly Street Market to the 7th floor, we discovered the Elf Cave and Elf Valley. Crossing a suspension bridge, we were greeted by restored houses and clustered flowers, immersing us in a fairy-tale world reminiscent of the Hobbits.

**Checkpoint 5: Shanghai Origin Bar and Modern Era**
On the fourth floor, the Modern Era takes you back to the Republic of China period in Shanghai, with a strong flavor of old Shanghai. My child was curious about the old objects and asked many questions.

**Checkpoint 6: ‘WA! Dinosaurs’ Parent-Child Show**
The highlight of our trip was the ‘WA! Dinosaurs’ Parent-Child Show. It’s important to purchase tickets that include this show and to choose the performance time when buying. We attended the 3:40 PM show, and the children were thrilled. The show takes you on a journey back to the Jurassic era with realistic dinosaurs, vivid images, and a lively plot, fulfilling the children’s ‘Dinosaur Knight’ dream.

Shanghai Songcheng is a treasure trove for spending time with children, offering not only a delightful experience but also a great spot for social media influencers to capture memories. Before visiting, check the performance schedule to avoid missing any events. Dining facilities are available on the first and second floors. For transportation, from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, take Line 10 and transfer to Line 13 at Xintiandi Station to reach the World Expo Avenue Station. It’s a three-minute walk from the subway station to Shanghai Songcheng. Address: Shanghai Pudong World Expo Park (Exit 1 of World Expo Avenue Station on Line 13).