10 Best Theme Parks in Shanghai
What is the Most Popular Theme Park in Shanghai?
As one of the largest cities in China and the world, Shanghai has a wide variety of theme parks to make memories with your family. Shanghai is where ancient culture meets bustling city living. There are tons of places to stay in the city located along the Yangtze River.
If you’ve got some young travellers in your group, Shanghai’s theme parks will keep the kids busy for hours. Adventure seekers will love places like Happy Valley Shanghai and Jinjiang Action Park. There are also parks dedicated to Lego and Hello Kitty, as well as the Shanghai Disney experience. Water parks take you under the sea or splashing through wave pools.
1. Happy Valley Shanghai
Sprawling theme park with coasters and a fairground vibe
Good for: Families, Food, Photo
Happy Valley Shanghai is a huge theme park located in the Songjiang District. It’s about 40 km west of the downtown area. With 863,500 metres of space to explore, divided into 7 themed sections such as Sunshine Harbor and Shangri-la Woods, plan to spend an entire day at this park.
The park has tons of rides for adventure seekers. There’s a roller coaster with a 60-metre drop and a swing ride where you can soar 15 storeys about the ground. There are also many rides for the tiniest travellers, like the carousel. When you need to refuel, make your way to one of the eateries onsite, grab a bite and just relax before your next adventure.
Location: 888 Linhu Rd, Songjiang District, Shanghai, China, 201602
Open: Hours vary by season
Happy Valley Shanghai
2. Disneyland
One of only 2 Disney resorts and parks in Asia
Good for: Families, Photo
Disneyland Shanghai is in the Pudong New District and is the only Disney park in mainland China. You can get the full Disney experience by staying at the companion resort, or buy day passes to the park.
Disneyland Shanghai is divided into 6 sections, each with a different theme. Head to Mickey Avenue for photos with your favourite Disney characters. Meet all 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac in the Gardens of the Imagination. Experience movie-themed, immersive rides and all the traditional Disney favourites like Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan.
Location: 4MV5+945, Pudong, Shanghai, China, 201205
Open: Hours vary by season
Disneyland
3. Dino Beach Water Park
Open air water park with slides and pools
Good for: Families, Food
Dino Beach Water Park is a popular destination to cool down in the summer. The open-air water park has one of the largest wave pools in Asia and 8 water slides to enjoy, including one slide that is 150 metres long. There are kiddie pools for the youngest visitors seeking to splash the day away.
There’s also a lazy river that follows the perimeter of the park. You’ll enjoy floating your way around as you soak in the sun. You can even try water skiing, jet skiing and surfing in the Blue Sea section. When you’re hungry, take a seat at one of the restaurants in the park and get ready for the next plunge into the water.
Location: 78 Xinzhen Rd, Minhang District, Shanghai, China, 201101
Phone: +86 21 6478 3333
Dino Beach Water Park
4. Jinjiang Action Park
Adventure theme park with roller coasters, rides and a giant Ferris wheel
Good for: Families, Adventure, Photo
Jinjiang Action Park was one of Shanghai’s first amusement parks. It’s a classic theme park, filled with roller coasters and rides. The park is in the Minhang District and even has its own stop on the Shanghai Metro (Jinjiang Park Station).
The park features several roller coasters, including 2 with loop-the-loops. There’s also a spinning roller coaster and water rides like the log flume. One of the highlights of the park is the huge Ferris wheel, a whopping 108-metres tall that will make you feel on top of the world. Don’t worry about the younger members of the family, though, as there are also plenty of rides for young children.
Location: 201 Hongmei Rd, Minhang District, Shanghai, China, 200237
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +86 21 5420 4956
Jinjiang Action Park
5. Sega Joypolis
Where your favourite Sega video games come to life
Good for: Families, Unusual
As the name suggests, Sega Joypolis brings all your favourite Sega video games to life in the form of a theme park. The digital amusement park is in the Changning District. It’s spread across 2 floors of the Global Harbor Shopping Mall.
Sega Joypolis has the vibe of a giant arcade park. It’s got virtual rides, 3D interactive games and driving simulators. This park also has more traditional amusement park features, like a haunted house, bumper cars and a small, indoor roller coaster. It’s a great way to spend a rainy day with plenty of great options to keep the kids entertained.
Location: Shanghai Shijia Urban Paradise, Shanghai, China, 200063
Phone: +86 21 6256 9108
Sega Joypolis
6. Changfeng Park and Ocean World
Ocean-themed park with sharks, whales and thousands of fish
Good for: Families, Photo
Changfeng Park and Ocean World are located in the Putuo District. Ocean World is the big draw, containing a manmade lake called Silver Shovel Lake and taking you 13 metres below the lake’s surface to observe marine life. If you want a moment away from the crowds, Changfeng Park is a lovely place for a peaceful stroll.
Ocean World has regular animal shows featuring beluga whales, seals and otters. Walk through the long shark tunnel to feel your heart beat faster as the sharks glide by, metres away. You’ll find 15,000 different kinds of ocean and river animals at Ocean World, including penguins.
Location: 451 Daduhe Rd, Putuo, Shanghai, China, 200062
Changfeng Park and Ocean World
7. Haichang Ocean Park
Amusement park with coasters and animal exhibits
Good for: Families, Couples
Haichang Ocean Park is located near Dripping Lake, off the coast of the East China Sea. It’s in the Pudong New Area, so it makes an excellent destination for a day trip from downtown Shanghai. When you visit, you’ll find traditional amusement park rides along with animal exhibits and performances.
The park is divided into 5 sections, each with a different theme. Travel to snow-covered mountains in the tundra or walk through a tropical paradise with a volcano. There’s a roller coaster and river rapid rides, as well as 2 movie theatres. There’s also a resort onsite if you want to spend the night.
Location: China, Shang Hai Shi, Pudong, Shanghai, China, 201308
Phone: +86 400 098 8966
Haichang Ocean Park
8. LEGOLAND Discovery Center
A great day building and playing with LEGO
Good for: Families, Photo, Adventure
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is the place to go for kids of all ages who love everything LEGO. The centre is located near Changfeng Park in the Changning District. You and your children can learn how LEGO bricks are made on the factory tour, and then play to your heart’s content.
The Indoor LEGO-themed park has a few amusement rides, but LEGO is the main attraction. There are 11 LEGO ‘build and play’ zones, where visitors can build whatever their imagination can think of and then try it out. There’s also a 4D cinema where films come to life. The 4th dimension adds rain, wind and snow for a truly immersive experience.
Location: 196 Daduhe Rd, Putuo, Shanghai, China, 200062
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
9. Hello Kitty Shanghai Times
An entire park dedicated to Hello Kitty
Good for: Families, Unusual
Hello Kitty is so popular, there’s an entire park dedicated to the cartoon cat in Shanghai. The Hello Kitty Shanghai Times is an indoor theme park, making it a wonderful place to spend a rainy day. The park takes up 3 floors in the Shanghai Mart Retail Mall, located in the Huangpu District.
The park combines everything Hello Kitty with the local culture of Shanghai. The exhibits feature Hello Kitty versions of popular Shanghai landmarks. The rides and interactive exhibits will bring your little ones up close with Hello Kitty herself, as well as My Melody, Keroppi and other cartoon friends.
Location: China, Shanghai, Jing’An, Nanjing Rd (W), Shanghai, China, 200041
Phone: +86 21 6288 5191
Hello Kitty Shanghai Times
10. Dakang Water Park
Indoor water park perfect for family fun
Good for: Families, Photo
The Dakang Water Park is a large indoor park in the Baoshan District. It’s the perfect place for the entire family to splash around. For older children and adults, there’s a diving pool and swimming pool. The younger kids can enjoy small splash rides.
The entire family can cool down in the huge wave pool, the kiddie pool, water fountains and waterfalls. There are also plenty of rides for the adventure-seeker. The slides range from simple and straight to twisting and turning as you plummet to the water below.
Location: 555 Gongkang Rd, Baoshan, Shanghai, China, 200443
Dakang Water Park
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