Shanghai Great World Amusement Park

Shanghai Great World Amusement Park

Located at the intersection of South Xizang Road and East Yan'an Road. Established in 1917, it was founded by Huang Chujiu. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was renamed "People's Amusement Park," reverted to its original name in 1958, was renamed "Shanghai Youth Palace" in 1974, and reopened on January 25, 1981, as the "Great World Amusement Center." The "Great World" is Shanghai’s largest indoor amusement park, known for its games, acrobatics, and performances of operas and traditional arts from both northern and southern China. Since 2008, it has been closed for renovation, with the reopening date still to be determined.

The Great World Amusement Center has a history of over 90 years. It was established in 1917 and founded by Huang Chujiu. The "Great World" was once the most popular entertainment venue in old Shanghai, featuring numerous small stages that hosted a variety of operas, folk performances, singing and dancing, and acrobatic acts. There was also an open-air aerial carousel in the center, as well as a cinema, shops, snack stalls, and Chinese and Western restaurants, allowing visitors to spend the whole day at the park. Later, the Great World was taken over by Huang Jinrong, a notorious gang leader in old Shanghai, and fell into disrepute, tarnishing the reputation of the entertainment industry. After the liberation, the Great World was transformed into a leisure destination for the general public, featuring acrobatics and traditional Chinese and regional operas. Its populist style and diverse entertainment programs have long been popular among both local residents and tourists. The architecture of the "Great World" is distinctive, consisting of multi-tiered hexagonal cream-yellow spires supported by 12 pillars. The main building comprises three connected four-story structures, along with two auxiliary buildings, creating a uniquely novel layout.

The Great World Amusement Center consists of four sections: "Amusement World," "Exhibition World," "Skills World," and "Food World." It offers eight major series of entertainment activities, particularly the "Talent Stage" and "Guinness Records Challenge" introduced in the 1990s under the "Skills World," which attracted master performers from across the country and set numerous national and global “firsts” and “onlys.” Its strong flavor of Shanghai-style culture and pursuit of trendy entertainment facilities draw thousands of domestic and international visitors. The Great World is China’s only venue dedicated to setting and showcasing Guinness records.

The Great World Amusement Center is located at the intersection of South Xizang Road and East Yan'an Road. Established in 1917, it features acrobatics and performances of traditional Chinese and regional operas and folk arts, with its 12 funhouse mirrors being a unique attraction. The architecture of the "Great World" is quite distinctive, consisting of multi-tiered hexagonal cream-yellow spires supported by 12 pillars. The main building is formed by three interconnected four-story structures, along with two auxiliary buildings. The amusement center is divided into four parts: "Amusement World," "Exhibition World," "Skills World," and "Food World," offering eight major series of entertainment activities. Especially within the "Skills World," the "Talent Stage" and Guinness Records Challenge have drawn master performers from all over the country.

Shanghai Great World is located on South Xizang Road in Huangpu District. Its architectural style is rather eclectic, primarily mimicking Western classical design—limited to the main gate, the columned hall, and the theater—while the interior largely features traditional Chinese elements, making it a representative example of modern entertainment architecture. The exterior of the Great World is distinctive, with 12 pillars supporting multi-tiered hexagonal cream-yellow spires that are especially eye-catching. The main building consists of three connected four-story structures: two face east-west, and one faces south-north. There are also two auxiliary buildings—a theater facing south-north and a dance studio facing west-east. It covers an area of 6,000 square meters, with a floor space of 14,700 square meters. The layout of the Great World is unique: the five buildings are arranged around a central axis, with a central outdoor performance arena for acrobatics and magic arranged in concentric arcs. The main buildings are connected by a 100-meter-long sky bridge running north-south, with stairways linking the different levels. The northern part features rockeries and flower stands, with a fountain pool, waterside pavilion, and artificial waterfall.