I spent a magical day with my daughter at Shanghai Songcheng, an indoor entertainment complex that became our perfect summer escape from the sweltering July heat. Unlike any theme park I've visited before, this multi-floor wonderland housed everything from Arabian-style bazaars to ancient Chinese streets, all under one roof. Watching my little one's eyes light up at the giant LED sky screen, getting her hands messy in a dinosaur-themed baking workshop, and laughing together at parrot shows and bubble performances made this an unforgettable family adventure. With excellent air conditioning, diverse attractions across seven floors, and shows that entertained both kids and adults, Shanghai Songcheng proved to be an ideal destination for families seeking a full day of fun without weather worries.
Trip Overview
When: July 2021 (Summer)
Duration: 1 day
Travelers: Family with my little one (Yunbao)
Budget: ~500 RMB (~$70 USD) per person
Transportation: Subway + Taxi
Arrival and First Impressions
When I first stepped into Shanghai Songcheng, I was immediately struck by how different it was from the other Songcheng locations I'd visited before. The famous slogan "Give me a day, and I'll give you a thousand years" (给我一天，还你千年) echoed in my mind as we entered this massive indoor complex. Unlike the open-air traditional parks, Shanghai Songcheng occupies an entire multi-story building—a brilliant design that made it our perfect refuge from the scorching summer heat.
It was July 2021, and with travel restrictions limiting our options, we chose this newly opened Shanghai attraction as our summer adventure. I wanted to capture some beautiful photos of my daughter enjoying a theme park, and having visited other Songcheng locations pre-parenthood, I knew my energetic little girl would absolutely love this place. We picked a weekday to avoid the crowds—a decision that proved wise as we had plenty of space to explore.
What amazed me most was the sheer variety packed into this vertical wonderland. From the ground floor's massive LED sky screen to the Arabian-style marketplace, from hands-on baking workshops for kids to a Hobbit-style village on the rooftop, this building contained endless surprises on every level. It truly felt like stepping into different worlds as we moved between floors.
In this all-in-one vacation destination, I found everything I could hope for in a family outing. With seven floors of attractions and activities, we had our work cut out for us exploring it all. Here's my guide to the must-see spots for families visiting Shanghai Songcheng:
Best Photo Spots for Families
1F: Magic Street (魔幻街)
The first floor greeted us with the Magic Street, featuring a massive overhead LED screen displaying ever-changing imagery. My daughter stood mesmerized, her head tilted back as she watched the vibrant displays above. It was the perfect spot to capture that wonder-filled expression that only young children can have.
4F: Ancient Style Street (千古情街)
The fourth floor transported us back in time with its retro Old Shanghai atmosphere. The vintage elements created perfect backdrops for photos that looked like we'd stepped into 1920s Shanghai. My daughter loved exploring the nostalgic settings, and I couldn't resist taking countless photos of her in this charming environment.
6F: Sky Market (天上街市)
The sixth floor's Sky Market dazzled us with colorful exotic treasures and Arabian-inspired decorations. The vibrant atmosphere sparked endless curiosity in my little one, who wanted to touch and explore everything. The outdoor glass observation deck nearby gave us a spacious area where she could run freely while I enjoyed the view.
7F: Outdoor Slide & Hobbit Houses (室外滑道、小矮人木屋)
The seventh floor rooftop became my daughter's favorite spot, combining a fun outdoor slide with Instagram-worthy Hobbit-style houses. This is where the most popular photo spots are located, and for good reason—the charming little cottages against the Shanghai skyline created magical photo opportunities.
🎭 Must-See Shows for Kids
Forest Bird Show (森林神鸟) - 1F Outdoor Bird Theater, featuring talented parrots performing amazing tricks. Two shows daily in the afternoon. Magic Bubbles (魔幻泡泡) - 1F Outdoor Forest Theater, multiple shows throughout the day. Clowns perform incredible bubble artistry that will delight bubble-loving children. Wa! Dinosaur (Wa！恐龙) - 1F/2F Theater, specially designed for families. Interactive dinosaur characters entertain kids before the show, followed by an educational performance about excavating dinosaur fossils.
Interactive Workshops & Edutainment
Beyond the shows, we discovered wonderful hands-on activities. The 3rd floor's Variable Space hosts baking workshops and art classes that kept my daughter engaged and learning.
We participated in the baking workshop where we made dinosaur-shaped cookies. Before starting, the teacher made sure all children washed their hands thoroughly. Watching my daughter don her cute little chef's uniform melted my heart—she looked absolutely adorable! After decorating our cookies, they were baked for us to take home. The session ended with all the children dancing together, creating such a joyful atmosphere.
The art workshop on the same floor offered dinosaur-themed coloring activities, perfectly complementing our baking experience. If your child loves dinosaurs as much as mine does, the "Wa! Dinosaur" show is absolutely unmissable, along with the outdoor slides and Hobbit houses on the rooftop.
Practical Tips
⏰ Planning Your Visit
Duration: Plan for 4-5 hours to fully enjoy all attractions Show Schedule: Pick up a park guide at entry—it lists all performance times Navigation: The building has elevators making all seven floors easily accessible Dining: 2F has a restaurant with reasonable prices
During the summer vacation, there were various small theater performances throughout the day, and my daughter watched each one with complete focus. We visited on a weekday, which meant fewer crowds—though weekends are more lively if your children enjoy playing with others.
Safety-wise, I was impressed—staff members were stationed throughout the park, ensuring a secure environment for children to explore.
As we left, my daughter held hands with one of the staff members—such a sweet moment showing how much she enjoyed the day. Both my husband and I agreed that Songcheng's combination of dining, entertainment, and shows offered excellent value for a full day of family fun. The service was exceptional throughout our visit.
By the end of our "time-traveling" day, my daughter was happily exhausted. She fell asleep instantly at bedtime, still saying how much fun she'd had and how much she loved the experience. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Final Thoughts
Shanghai Songcheng exceeded my expectations as a family-friendly destination. The indoor setting was a lifesaver during the hot summer, the variety of attractions across seven floors kept us engaged throughout the day, and the combination of entertainment, education, and dining made it a truly complete experience. If you're visiting Shanghai with children—especially during hot or rainy weather—this multi-story wonderland should definitely be on your itinerary.