Duration: 1 day. With whom: Friends. Play style: Independent travel, petty bourgeoisie, money-saving, weekend trip. The author visited these places: Shanghai Huangpu River, Lupu Bridge. Posted on July 17, 2021, 22:54. Words before. Do you still remember the song ‘Misty Rain’? Do you still remember Ruping in Aunt Qiong Yao’s works? I believe many post-80s remember. At that time, ‘Romance in the Rain’ was so widely known. Ruping and Yiping are idols in the memory of our generation. We would be tearful because of the plot at that time. We would hate Xueyi’s domineering and envy their love… At that time, after watching the TV series, we always liked to role-play among girlfriends. Some played Yiping, some played Ruping, and some played Xueyi. But at that time, the conditions were not good. We didn’t have cheongsams, so many props, and even less the old Shanghai scenery. Everything had to make do. The wheel of the times has taken us out of the era of ‘Romance in the Rain’, but the childhood feelings for idols are still there. Only we don’t have to make do anymore. We can act out a play by ourselves. Cheongsams, hairpins, and the old Shanghai scenery are not so difficult anymore. When we found a place with these props, my girlfriend and I decided to walk into old Shanghai and act as Ruping again. Shanghai Songcheng. The place I mentioned is Shanghai Songcheng, a new popular check-in place for tourism in Shanghai. It really realizes our dream of misty rain. Shanghai Songcheng is located in the Expo Park by the Huangpu River. It is a brand-new interpretation park that subverts imagination. It is suitable for personalized performances for different people with different styles. There are multiple variable spaces and an entertainment square that can accommodate tens of thousands of people. The ace main show ‘Eternal Love in Shanghai’ is the IP project with the most development prospects of Songcheng and a performance that must be seen in a lifetime! My girlfriend and I made an appointment to come to the banks of the Huangpu River and walked into Shanghai Songcheng. Then we started a themed trip back to the Republic of China. Play style of Shanghai Songcheng. There are seven floors in the entire entertainment square. On the first floor, there are indoor and outdoor play items. Outdoors, there are Forest Theater, Bird Show Theater, Music Square, and Magic Street. Among them, the two performances ‘Punk Flash Mob’ and ‘Color Water Splashing Party’ must be watched and must be watched in the night tour. It is very worth a visit. In the hot summer, splashing water outdoors not only cools down but also relieves stress. It is suitable for both adults and children. ‘Hello! Chaplin’ has a lot of interaction with children. The children are having a great time around the magician. Outside the square, there is also a swimming pool for the brave. Those who want to challenge themselves can try it. Indoors, there are ‘Earthquake’ theater, ‘Ghost Ship’, and ‘Flames’. It is a little scary. Those with a small courage can also try.
The entrance on the first floor also features a costume-changing area, where the cheongsams seem more vibrant than those on the fourth floor. The earlier you change, the sooner you can enjoy the experience. The second and third floors host performances such as ‘Shanghai Eternal Love’ and ‘WA! Dinosaurs,’ as well as the ‘Joyful Art Workshop’ for children’s hands-on activities, all of which are worth visiting. The fourth floor’s immersive scene of ‘1921 Street’ is a distinctive spot for taking photos in old Shanghai-style cheongsams. Wandering through the secret service bureau, the mansion of Ru Ping and Xue Yi, and the Japanese geisha house, each venue is perfect for capturing stunning photos. The fifth floor is the riverside area, where watching the cruise ships on the Huangpu River feels as if you’re on a cruise, making it an excellent spot for photos. The sixth floor’s ‘Heavenly Market’ is richly decorated in Turkish style and features acrobatics with crystal balls. There are also various photo studios such as upside-down houses, slanted houses, glitter houses, and invisibility houses, which are popular among both adults and children. Additionally, you can purchase gifts with a Western Region flair to give as souvenirs to friends. The seventh floor’s ‘Cliff Theater’ offers ballet and violin performances, allowing visitors to enjoy the Huangpu River view while cultivating their artistic taste in a superbly atmospheric setting. The ‘Elf House,’ popular among children, resembles the cottage of the seven dwarfs from Snow White, with furniture, decorations, and a projection screen that displays scenes of all four seasons, giving the feeling of being in a fairy tale world. A special recommendation is the ‘Shanghai Eternal Love’ show located in Theater 1, spanning floors 2F-3F. Audiences preparing to enter early should check in on the 2F, while those arriving late should enter through the 3F ticket check. Performances are at 14:00 and 20:00, and entry is by ticket. If you purchase tickets with your ID on other platforms, you can enter directly by scanning your ID. The high-tech stage scenes include waterfalls, gunfire, and underwater scenes, making you feel as if you’re in old Shanghai. A train enters the theater, and 3,000 tons of Huangpu River water pour out instantly, providing a visual and emotional shock. ‘WA! Dinosaurs’ is a very suitable show for families, with plenty of interaction with children and realistic props. The show starts at 15:40, and parents should arrange their time accordingly, as this performance requires separate ticket purchase. ‘The Great Earthquake’ tells a small story from the Wenchuan earthquake, so those with low tear thresholds should prepare tissues. To experience the quake, remember to sit in the front rows, as the sensation is quite strong. Before the show starts, the audience is invited on stage to act as extras, playing firefighters, People’s Liberation Army soldiers, nurses, and ordinary people. The rehearsal is hilarious, with perfect interaction with the audience, while the actual performance is very shocking, with a tear-jerking plot, expressing gratitude to the People’s Liberation Army and the great motherland.
Upon stepping out of the elevator on the fourth floor of ‘Time-Travel Street’, one is instantly transported back to the era of the Reform and Opening Up, the period before Liberation, and the Japanese-style houses. Adjacent to this, there are shops offering cheongsam rentals. After changing into the attire and taking photos, the ambiance evokes a sentiment of deep emotions and misty rain. The cost for makeup is as follows: clothing rental for 168 yuan, and clothing rental plus makeup for 218 yuan. The value for money is quite high, as the makeup artists are meticulous and create styles that exude the essence of old Shanghai. There are also Hanfu rentals available for children, resulting in incredibly cute and adorable photos. The scenes are picture-perfect, and even photos taken with a smartphone can achieve a cinematic quality. Nighttime visits to Songcheng are the most exhilarating, with the entire venue buzzing with excitement. During the hot summer months, a nighttime visit to Shanghai Songcheng is a great option. After entering the park at five o’clock, one can opt to visit the Magic Street on the first floor to enjoy specialty snacks and nostalgic shops. Father’s toys and mother’s snacks are available as souvenirs to take home. The restaurant options on the second floor are diverse, offering noodles, Shanghai-style home-cooked dishes, spicy fragrant pots, and juices, all of which are delicious and affordable, priced at market level. After dining, one can head to the Cliff Theater on the seventh floor to capture the ‘Sky’s Reflection’, where every snapshot is a masterpiece. As dusk approaches and the sky darkens, the Lupu Bridge by the river appears more majestic. The ‘Sky’s Reflection’ faces the Lupu Bridge, offering an unlimited view of beauty. Remember, around 18:40 in the evening, there will be a beautiful performance of ‘Flower Dance’ at the Sky’s Reflection, featuring several beautiful swans dancing gracefully to the music. It’s a sight so beautiful that one viewing is never enough. If you’re fortunate enough to encounter a splendid sunset, it’s a feast for the eyes. Do not miss the ‘Punk Flash Mob’ performance at 18:50 on Magic Street, where the performers, dressed in cosplay attire, boast high attractiveness. The live show includes laser displays and DJ shoutouts, creating an open-air rave experience. Fans of dancing can take photos and party with the performers. Following this show, one can proceed through Magic Street to the Music Plaza for the ‘Colorful Water Splash Party’. It’s advisable to prepare a swimsuit or change of clothes in advance, or purchase a raincoat from the nearby shops if you haven’t. The event kicks off with three handsome foreign drummers, showcasing their drumming skills and marking the beginning of the summer’s carnival party. Long-legged beauties from Russia and other countries perform passionate dance shows, providing the most fiery accompaniment, the most beautiful girls, and the coolest night. After the performance, the grandest water fight of the night begins, open to all ages. The coolest and most dazzling aspect is not the water fight itself, but the venue’s setup. When the host announces the start, several high-pressure water jets spray towards the center of the venue from various directions, with neon lights flashing and water columns dancing. Why are you all wearing raincoats? In fact, wearing a raincoat is secondary; the most important thing is the enjoyment of the process here. This is not just a summer carnival to cool off, but also a process of releasing oneself, over and over again! Get ready to have a great time. Practical tips: 1. Remember to pick up the guidebook at the entrance of the scenic area. The large screen in the elevator on the first floor has a timetable for each theater show, so plan your time well to ensure you don’t miss any performances.
2. The Cliff Theater on the top floor is a must-visit during sunset to capture the ethereal beauty of the sky. As evening falls, the night view of both banks of the Huangpu River, with the breeze blowing, provides the perfect backdrop for stunning photographs. 3. The Color Splash Water Queue outside on the first floor is an event where you can wear your swimsuit or bring a change of T-shirts and shorts, along with a raincoat. If you’re unprepared, these items can be purchased on-site, but remember to apply sunscreen. Ticket prices: Adult ticket is 379 yuan (including the ‘Eternal Love’ performance), parent-child ticket for 1 adult and 1 child is 658 yuan, and for 2 adults and 1 child is 999 yuan. Please make reservations one day in advance, with the actual purchase day’s price being the standard. The evening tour adult ticket is 198 yuan, with an early purchase price of 158 yuan, valid for entry after 17:00. Address: 1750 World Expo Avenue, Pudong New District, Shanghai. Transportation: Subway Line 13, Exit 1 of World Expo Avenue Station, an 8-minute walk. Business hours: 10:00-22:00. Note: All performance times are subject to the day’s announcements at the scenic area, so please pay attention once inside. However, before each performance, the broadcast will inform everyone of the specific time, location, and content of the performance, making it easy to enjoy the experience. Closing remarks: After the carnival party, we once again ascended to the Sky Mirror on the 7th floor. At this time, the neon lights on both banks of the Huangpu River were fully illuminated, with the riverbanks shining brightly, captivating us completely. Although this was a journey through time, we still live in the present, with emotions and aspirations for a better future. The present is our life, and time travel is merely a seasoning for it. This time, at Shanghai Songcheng, we felt our emotions, enjoyed various performances, experienced various interactive experiences, and had a wild celebration. Standing here and looking into the distance, we can’t help but recall the song ‘Night Shanghai’, which is illusory, dazzling, and yet so real. In fact, living in Shanghai is quite good!