The 2010 Shanghai Expo site is located between the Nanpu Bridge and the Lupu Bridge, spanning both sides of the Huangpu River. After the Expo, most of the buildings in the Expo Park were dismantled. Currently, the main areas preserved in Pudong include the iconic “Axis and Four Museums” and the Expo Park. The “Axis and Four Museums” are the Expo Axis, the China Art Museum, the Expo Center, the Expo Exhibition Hall, and the Mercedes-Benz Cultural Center.
In Puxi, the preserved sites include the China Shipbuilding Museum and the China Aviation Museum, as well as the Expo Museum, which was completed later and officially opened in 2017. This museum provides a comprehensive reflection of the grandeur of the 2010 Shanghai Expo.
Travel Information about Shanghai Expo Park
Ticket and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: Special exhibitions at the China Art Museum are 20 RMB.
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, closed on Mondays (except for national public holidays).
Getting There
Location: 205 Shangnan Road, Pudong New District.
Transportation: Take Metro Line 7 to Yaohua Road Station or Metro Line 8 to China Art Museum Station.
Attraction Rating
- Beauty: ★★★★★
- Excitement: ★★★★
- Unique Features: ★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★
Highlights of Shanghai Expo Park
Expo Boulevard
Expo Boulevard is transformed from the permanent structure of the Expo Axis and is located in the core area of the Expo Park. To the north, it connects to the Expo Celebration Square, while it is adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Cultural Center, China Art Museum (formerly the China Pavilion), Expo Center, Expo Hotel Cluster, Central Enterprise Headquarters Building, and Expo Exhibition Hall (formerly the Theme Pavilion) on the east and west sides.
The main building of Expo Boulevard extends 1,045 meters from north to south and spans 80 to 130 meters from east to west. It features two above-ground floors (with some areas having a third floor) and two underground floors (with some areas having a third underground floor). The design emphasizes a “water” element that flows through the space from north to south, divided into four thematic areas: Taste, Trend, Fashion, and Leisure. It offers a one-stop service for retail, dining, entertainment, relaxation, culture, and exhibitions.
Related Details:
- Expo Boulevard features the largest cable-membrane roof structure in the world, spanning approximately 77,000 square meters. The roof’s unique design includes structures about 42 meters high and up to 90 meters in diameter, roughly the size of a football field, making it a notable architectural marvel.
- As night falls, Expo Boulevard transforms into a vibrant spectacle with the dazzling “Sunshine Valley Light Show.” The light display is colorful and dynamic, creating a mesmerizing visual experience enhanced by reflections in the water, showcasing a unique interplay of light and shadow.
- The Riverside Music Fountain combines music, lighting, lasers, flames, circular jets, and water screen films with cutting-edge technology. Set against the night sky, it offers a majestic and immersive audiovisual experience.
China Art Museum
The China Art Museum is located in the former China Pavilion of the 2010 Shanghai Expo. With a display area of 64,000 square meters and 27 exhibition halls, it is comparable in scale and setup to internationally renowned museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States and the Musée d’Orsay in France. It has become one of the most globally recognized art venues.
The museum’s opening exhibitions include:
- “A Moon Rises over the Sea: The Origins of Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art”
- “Greetings from Around the World: International Art Treasures Exhibition”
- “Splendid China: New Century Chinese Art in Progress”
- “Shanghai Historical and Cultural Art Creation Project Exhibition”
- Masterworks Gallery
The China Art Museum’s collection includes nearly 10,000 pieces, showcasing various stages of 20th-century Chinese art development. This includes exemplary works by early 20th-century artists exploring the “East-West Fusion” art path, innovative woodcuts and prints from wartime youth, large-scale oil paintings and traditional Chinese paintings celebrating the socialist revolution and construction, experimental works by young artists with modern art features since the reform and opening-up, as well as local art forms like New Year paintings, comic strips, and propaganda posters reflecting Shanghai’s regional art characteristics. The museum also holds a significant number of donated works from domestic and international artists.
Mercedes-Benz Cultural Center
The Mercedes-Benz Cultural Center, originally the Expo Cultural Center, is located in the core area of the Expo Park, adjacent to the Expo Axis and the China Pavilion. The building stands out with its light, dynamic, and unique design, resembling a flying saucer or an “artistic sea shell,” creating a stunning visual impact.
The center features a multifunctional performance space with 18,000 seats, which serves as the main venue for a wide range of performances. It includes the Hennessy Music Club, capable of hosting both classical and popular performances. Additionally, the center houses approximately 20,000 square meters of interactive and experiential retail space, a real ice skating rink, and a chain cinema.
Related Details:
- The Mercedes-Benz Cultural Center hosts various concerts and large-scale events throughout the year. For detailed information, you can visit their official website.
- The Mercedes-Benz Cultural Center offers visitor tours, including access to the main venue, the music club, the observation deck, and the ice rink. With guided explanations, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural center and experience its artistic ambiance.
Expo Museum
The Expo Museum, located in the Puxi area of the Shanghai Expo, spans approximately 46,000 square meters. It is one of the few museums dedicated to World Expositions, covering their history since 1851 and detailing the exhibitions held from 2010 onwards. The museum also serves as a platform for international cultural exchange and technological innovation related to the Expo.
The museum is divided into eight main halls: Global Stage, Path of Progress, Optimism and Confidence, Challenges, Century Event, World Civilizations, Chinese Wisdom, and Future Visions. Additionally, there are three temporary exhibition halls:
- Hall 1: Designed for national treasures.
- Hall 2: Used for general touring exhibitions and Expo-hosted displays.
- Hall 3: Suitable for original theme exhibitions and experimental displays.
Shanghai Songcheng
Located on the banks of the Huangpu River within the Expo Park, Shanghai Songcheng is a groundbreaking performance park that defies imagination. The park features over 20 theaters and performance venues, including the Grand Theater, Bird Show Theater, Forest Theater, and Cliff Theater. Wandering through the park, visitors can experience various themed areas such as the Cross Street, Magic Street, Sky Market, and Ancient Love Street, each offering a unique ambiance. Highlights include the Music Plaza, Colorful Forest, Elf Valley, Sky City, Glass Pavilion, and Vine Bridge, creating diverse and captivating scenes.
The park’s main attraction is the grand musical “Shanghai Eternal Love”, which employs an epic narrative structure and cutting-edge stage technology to portray the history and evolution of Shanghai. With advanced technology, the theater can transform into an underwater scene, a train can seemingly enter the stage, and 3,000 tons of Huangpu River water can be poured instantaneously, providing a visually stunning and immersive experience. Additionally, Shanghai Songcheng offers four distinct performances, each tailored to cater to different audience preferences and needs.
Related Details:
Shanghai Songcheng Performance Park features five main shows, each offering a unique experience:
- “Shanghai Eternal Love”: The park’s main show, presenting an epic narrative of Shanghai’s history through spectacular stage technology and storytelling.
- “WA! Dinosaur”: A family-friendly show featuring dinosaurs, designed for an engaging and educational experience for children and parents alike.
- “Passionate Samba”: A dinner show combining vibrant samba performances with a dining experience, perfect for those looking to enjoy lively entertainment while dining.
- “Colors”: A high-energy show featuring dynamic performances and visual effects that create an immersive and exciting atmosphere.
- “S”: The glamorous “S” show, known for its stunning visuals and sophisticated performances.