Shanghai Film Park Travel Guide
Highlights, Activities, and Visitor Information
Shanghai Film Park (Chedun Film Base), located in Shanghai's Songjiang District, is a film and television shooting base that perfectly recreates "retro Shanghai." Covering a total area of approximately 800,000 square meters, its greatest feature is its thorough recreation of the streetscape and atmosphere of "old Shanghai" from the 1920s and 1930s. This location has been a key setting for numerous films, including the internationally acclaimed masterpieces "In the Mood for Love" (directed by Wong Kar-wai) and "Lust, Caution" (directed by Ang Lee). Visitors can actually step inside and experience the immersive experience of becoming a character in the film.
1. Main attractions and themed areas
🏙️ Shanghai's Historic District
• Nanjing Road Area: This is a faithful reproduction of Nanjing Road (the bustling shopping street of the time) in the 1930s. Famous department stores and shops from the time, such as Xianshi Department Store, line the street, and the streetcars running along it are a symbolic sight of paradise.
• Shikumen Village and Xujiahui Cathedral Area:
Shikumen Lilong: A traditional residential area unique to Shanghai, characterized by its arched brick gates (shikumen). It has been the setting for many dramas, including In the Mood for Love and Blossoms, and exudes a sense of everyday life.
Xujiahui Cathedral: A magnificent Gothic-style Catholic church, recreating a real Shanghai landmark.
🌉 "The Source of the Bund" and other landscapes
• "Origin of the Bund" Area: This area is home to a collection of classical British-style buildings from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, which are the origin of the current Bund architecture. The area is lined with stately stone buildings that served as the model for the Peace Hotel (formerly Sassoon House), allowing you to experience the atmosphere of the Bund in its more ancient days.
• Suzhou River Area & Lake Set: The area recreates the Suzhou River and lake, with the Zhejiang Road Steel Bridge (the model for the Waibaidu Bridge) and European-style villas lined up, creating a picture-postcard landscape.
2. Performance and Experience
• Retro ride experience: You can ride the retro streetcar that runs through the park and enjoy a panoramic view as you travel. This is a popular experience that will make you feel like the main character in a period drama.
• Catch a movie in the making: This is a working filming base, so if you're lucky you might be able to see real-life filming of a movie or TV drama, and spot actors and extras in period costumes.
• Costume Rental: Inside the park, you can rent retro costumes such as qipao (Chinese dress), Chinese dress, and school uniforms, and blend in with the streetscape to enjoy taking commemorative photos.
3. Useful Information Before Your Visit
Address：No. 4915 Beishong Highway, Chedun Town, Songjiang District, Shanghai
Regular Opening Hours：8:30 - 16:30 (please note the last entrance time) This may vary depending on the season.
Admission Tickets：Adult tickets cost around 80 yuan, with some discounts available if purchased online.
Recommended number of days to visit:The park is a good size, and you can take your time to see the main spots in half a day (about 3-4 hours).
4. Visiting Etiquette and Important Notes
• Efficient ways to get around: When you enter the park, it is best to obtain a performance schedule and map, check the tram operating times, and plan accordingly.
• Location-focused photography: The recreated cityscape is extremely photogenic. Don't forget to charge your camera or smartphone. Renting retro clothing will instantly enhance the atmosphere of your photos.
• Be considerate to the filming location: Areas may be off-limits during filming. Please follow signs and instructions from filming staff and remain quiet while viewing the film.
• Food: There are cafes and shops in the park that serve light meals, but the options are limited. If you want a proper meal, we recommend eating in Chedun Town outside the park.
5. Pandaland Trip's Original Tour Services
At Pandaland Trip, we not only support smooth sightseeing but also provide unique services that bring out the full charm of the Shanghai Film Park.
• Retro Shanghai themed photo walk: Your guide will show you the best spots and angles for taking photos like in a movie scene, and will also give you advice on how to wear and pose in a qipao to help you take a memorable photo.
• Filming location tours for movies and TV dramas: We will design a specialized route to visit the specific locations where filming took place based on your favorite work (e.g., "Lust, Caution," "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life," etc.). It will be a special pilgrimage while remembering the famous scenes from the work.
• In-depth Historical Context: Not just "old buildings," but an explanation of the real-life models each structure recreates, along with knowledge of 1930s Shanghai society, culture, and fashion, all in your native language. This makes the sightseeing experience much richer.
• Expert Guide in Your Native Language: Access to more remote locations is made easier with a guide accompanying you in a private vehicle. No stress from getting lost or delays from taxis.
• Proposals for efficient combinations with other tourist attractions: Songjiang District is also home to other tourist attractions such as Taimushi Town (a British-themed town). We will propose an efficient one-day plan based on your preferences.
To fully immerse yourself in the retro, romantic world of Old Shanghai and experience a day as if you were the protagonist of a movie, the Pandaland Trip themed tour with a guide in your native language is the perfect choice.Your guide, who is well versed in Shanghai's history and film culture, will help you weave your own story.
