Shanghai Circus World is located at No. 2266 Gonghexin Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, adjacent to the Daning Jiuguang Department Store to the south and Daning Lingshi Park to the north. It serves as a cultural, sports and entertainment hub in the northern part of downtown Shanghai, honored as "China's No. 1 Circus City". As a comprehensive art and entertainment venue, it focuses on acrobatic and circus performances and integrates culture, entertainment, leisure and shopping. Its core features include top domestic acrobatic and circus shows, modern professional theater facilities and a unique golden dome structure. The scenic area covers a land area of 22,500 square meters, with a total construction area of 29,659 square meters for Phase I. The main building, the Acrobatic Field, features an aluminum‑titanium alloy golden dome with a height of 32 meters and a construction area of 5,691 square meters, equipped with 1,638 seats. Supporting facilities include a Medium Theater (800 seats), a rehearsal and auxiliary building, a cultural and commercial city, an animal house, etc. Among them, the cultural and commercial city has a construction area of 8,603 square meters, and the total area of the animal house is 1,540 square meters.
History and Culture
Chinese circus art boasts a long history. The term "circus" first appeared in Yan Tie Lun (Discourses on Salt and Iron) of the Han Dynasty, which recorded activities such as "circus and tiger fighting". The horse dancing performance in the Tang Dynasty pushed circus art to its peak, during which Emperor Xuanzong of Tang raised 400 dancing horses for court performances. Modern and contemporary circus integrates acrobatics, magic, animal training and other forms. In 2008, circus art was included in the second batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. As the resident performing troupe of Shanghai Circus World, Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe dates back to 1955, making it one of the earliest professional acrobatic troupes in China. It has won numerous gold awards in international competitions, including the Golden Clown, the highest award of the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival.
Shanghai Circus World officially broke ground in July 1998 with a total investment of 270 million yuan, and was completed with its first performance in September 1999. Its distinctive golden dome quickly became an iconic building of Shanghai as an international cultural city. In 2005, the Medium Theater of Shanghai Circus World was completed, becoming the exclusive venue for the family show Happy Circus. In September of the same year, the super acrobatic evening show ERA: Intersection of Time premiered, blending traditional acrobatics with modern multimedia technology and turning into a cultural tourism landmark of Shanghai. At the end of 2023, the new generation Medium Theater started expansion, inspired by the spiraling spirit of circus, further improving the venue capacity and functions. After more than 20 years of development, Shanghai Circus World has become a core platform for the exchange, exhibition and performance of acrobatic and circus art at home and abroad.
Main Attractions
Acrobatic Field (Grand Theater)
The Acrobatic Field is the core building of Shanghai Circus World and the permanent venue for ERA: Intersection of Time. Designed in a classic ring‑shape layout, the theater has 1,638 seats. It is equipped with top‑level sound and lighting systems, and the performance area features a rotating stage, a composite lifting stage, high‑altitude runways and professional pole systems, enabling a three‑dimensional performance covering high altitude, mid‑air and ground levels. Its most prominent feature is the 32‑meter‑high aluminum‑titanium alloy golden dome, affectionately called the "Golden Pineapple" by local citizens, serving as a landmark landscape in northern Shanghai.
Medium Theater
The Medium Theater is the exclusive venue for the family circus show Happy Circus with 800 seats. It also adopts a ring‑shape design, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere suitable for family audiences. The construction and expansion project of the new theater started at the end of 2023. With an oval spiraling design, the new building will blend into the surrounding park landscape, providing a better family viewing experience in the future.
Cultural and Commercial City
The Cultural and Commercial City is an important supporting facility of the circus world, with 3 floors, a building height of 22 meters and a construction area of 8,603 square meters. It integrates leisure, catering and cultural and creative shopping, offering circus‑themed souvenirs, specialty food and audience lounges. It is the main area for visitors to rest, shop and take photos before and after performances.
Animal House
The Animal House covers a total construction area of 1,540 square meters, serving as a professional breeding and training base for performing animals in Happy Circus. Zoned according to animal habits, it is equipped with an elephant house, predator suites, artificial seawater sea lion rooms, horse stables and an animal rehearsal hall, with professional and eco‑friendly facilities ensuring solid support for animal performances.
Golden Dome Square
The outdoor square surrounding the main Acrobatic Field is the best spot to view and photograph the "Golden Pineapple" dome. The square regularly hosts public welfare activities such as intangible cultural heritage fairs, open‑air magic shows and clown interactions, serving as an open space for visitors to take photos and experience the circus atmosphere.
Tour Route
A visit to Shanghai Circus World centers on watching core performances. A recommended one‑day itinerary is as follows: Arrive in the afternoon and first go to the Golden Dome Square to take photos of the iconic building and experience the overall style of the circus world. At 14:00, enter the Medium Theater to watch the interactive family show Happy Circus, which lasts about 100 minutes, featuring cute animal performances and humorous clown interactions. After the show, go to the Cultural and Commercial City for dining, rest and shopping for circus‑themed cultural and creative products. In the evening, you may join temporary cultural activities in the square. At 19:30, enter the Grand Theater to watch the flagship show ERA: Intersection of Time, enjoying a visual feast integrating high technology and top acrobatics, with a duration of about 60 to 100 minutes. After the performance, you can walk to Daning Lingshi Park to the north for a night tour or go to Daning Jiuguang Department Store to the south for leisure and shopping.
Tips for Visiting
- It is recommended to prioritize watching ERA: Intersection of Time, which combines acrobatics, technology and art and is known as a must‑see cultural tourism show in Shanghai.
- Family visitors are recommended to watch Happy Circus, which includes various animal performances and clown interactions suitable for all ages.
- Seating suggestions: For ERA: Intersection of Time, choose Zone A or VIP Zone for the best view; the inner circle of Zone B offers the best cost‑performance. For Happy Circus, choose the front rows of Zone A and B for more interaction opportunities.
- Tickets are in high demand, especially for weekend shows. It is recommended to book seats through official channels at least 1 to 3 days in advance.
- Ticket checking starts 30 to 60 minutes before the performance. Please arrive early to avoid being denied entry due to late arrival.
- When watching Happy Circus, you may participate in paid interactive activities such as animal feeding and photo taking before and after the show.
- With complete supporting facilities nearby, you can combine a visit to Daning Lingshi Park and Daning Jiuguang Department Store for a one‑day trip.
Notes
- Taking photos, videos and audio recordings with mobile phones is strictly prohibited during the performance to avoid affecting the performers and other audience members.
- Flammable and explosive materials, large luggage and pets are not allowed in the theater.
- Audience arriving late after the performance starts must wait outside the venue and be guided in by staff during intermissions. Missed parts will not be replayed.
- Some programs of Happy Circus involve animal running and sound effects. Parents of young children are advised to prepare in advance to comfort them.
- The air conditioning in the theater is relatively cool, so it is recommended to bring a thin coat.
- Food and beverages (except bottled water) must be consumed in designated areas and are not allowed in the auditorium.
- One ticket per person. Children (including infants) must enter with a full‑price ticket; no free admission is available for children.
- Parking spaces are limited. Public transportation such as the subway is recommended.
Transportation
- Metro: Take Shanghai Metro Line 1 to Shanghai Circus World Station, exit from Gate 3, and walk directly to the entrance.
- Bus: Take Bus No. 46, 79, 95, 222, 234, 547, 741, 849, 912 or 944 to Gonghexin Road Daning Road Station or Guangzhong West Road Gonghexin Road Station, and walk for about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Self‑driving: Navigate to "Shanghai Circus World, No. 2266 Gonghexin Road, Jing'an District". The underground parking lot is open to the public with limited spaces; parking is also available at the nearby Daning Jiuguang Center.
- Taxi / Ride‑hailing: Directly navigate to "Shanghai Circus World" and arrive at the entrance.
Opening Hours
The theater opens 30 to 60 minutes before each performance. Regular performance schedules are as follows: ERA: Intersection of Time is closed on Mondays; one show is staged at 19:30 every night from Tuesday to Friday, lasting 60 minutes; two shows are held on Saturdays at 14:00 (100 minutes) and 19:30 (60 minutes); two shows are held on Sundays at 14:00 (100 minutes) and 19:30 (60 minutes). Happy Circus is usually performed at the Medium Theater at 14:00 every Saturday and Sunday, lasting about 100 minutes. Specific schedules are subject to the official monthly arrangement.
Admission
Performance tickets start from 160 yuan per person.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.