Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center 🇨🇳

Located on People's Square right next to the municipal government building, the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center offers you a fascinating look at Shanghai's past, present, and future. Established in 2000 as China's first city planning exhibition hall, this impressive six-story structure features striking white aluminum cladding and a symbolic membrane roof designed to balance the nearby Grand Theatre. Inside, you will discover six main levels and two basements dedicated to showcasing the metropolis's dramatic evolution, planned developments, and civic pride.

The undeniable centerpiece of your visit is a massive scale model depicting the entire urban landscape of Shanghai. You can inspect existing landmarks and approved future buildings from ground level or climb to an elevated surrounding gallery for a bird's-eye view. While exploring, you will also find specialized smaller models focusing on iconic spots like the Bund, along with rotating temporary exhibitions.

Don't miss the small theater room featuring an immersive 360-degree screen; it plays a virtual fly-through video that makes you feel as though you are soaring above the Shanghai of tomorrow, including notable locations like the Shanghai Expo 2010 pavilions. It is an essential stop for understanding China's rapid urban transformation.

What to see at Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center

• A massive scale model showing Shanghai's current cityscape and approved future developments
• A 360-degree theater room offering a simulated aerial flight through future Shanghai
• Detailed smaller scale models highlighting key areas like the historic Bund
• Distinctive 43-meter architecture featuring white aluminum cladding and a symbolic membrane roof
• Rotational temporary exhibition spaces exploring a wide variety of subjects

Visiting tips

Ascend to the elevated gallery surrounding the main city model for the best view from above, though keep in mind that a few structural support columns partially block certain angles.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center is easy to reach on Shanghai’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Shanghai Grand Theatre and Xiaotaoyuan Mosque. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Shanghai travel guide.