Shanghai Circus World - Enjoy the Best Chinese Acrobatics

Since it was built in 1999, Shanghai Circus World never fails to catch the eyes of the public, even in such a city of numerous skyscrapers. Its unique domelike roof made it anther new landmark of Shanghai. In the day time, this building looks like a golden hat with a glossy double-brim seen from a distance. When the night falls and the lights are on, the hat turns to be a striking illuminant.

Shanghai Circus World makes full use of its large space and offers the spectators the best site to enjoy the performance. It has the Acrobatic Field as its main body, Rehearsal Auxiliary Building, Animal House and Cultural and Commercial city as side installations. The Acrobatic Field enjoys as many as 1638 seats and the spectators can have various choices of seats depending on different views and prices. The design of this area is ingenious to make a breakthrough in the traditional circus world. It is equipped with lifting stages, rotating stages, proscenium stages, suspenders, and bridleways. Advanced lighting installations and multi-channel sound well meet the needs of the spectators to enjoy more fascinating shows. Except that, there are services like culture exhibition, Culture Emporium, entertainment, and catering.

There are two routine performances in Shanghai Circus World at present, namely ERA Intersection of Time and Happy Circus, and each of them will leave you an unforgettable memory.

As a multimillion-dollar stunning acrobatic extravaganza, the first of its kind in China, ERA is a multimedia odyssey whose inspiration is a direct result of the combination of traditional Chinese acrobatic arts and modern technology. Evolving through a constant collision between the past and future, ERA- Intersection of Time has been a visiting card of Shanghai and long admired by tourists from different places. This program focuses on the breathtaking acrobatic shows and enjoys eight shows totally.

The Mirror Mirage - As the spectators entered the theater, they see a huge round glass ball with a diameter of 6 meters which reflects all directions of the hall. When the whole hall turns to dark, there comes the classical music and magic vision, bringing the spectators to the dreamscape.

Magic Water - The magician splashes a bowl of water into the air at the beginning. Suddenly, the raindrops and forms an 8-meter-high and 18-meter-wide water curtain. From the flowing curtain, you can enjoy a colorful set screen and movement locus of the live performers.

Floating Gondola - The water curtain drops into the stage and becomes a fresh lake. An illuminant occurs in the lake and turns bigger and bigger. Soon it becomes a tiny gondola which represents the Chinese civilization.

Music of ERA - According to the features of the performance, great Canadian Composer Michel Cusson creates such intoxicating music by integrating the elements of Chinese traditional music and modern music. Apart from the beauty of sound, there is also a visual feast.

Jar Juggling - Jar Juggling is an ancient acrobatic program. By a series of graceful action of throwing, pounding, kicking, rolling, and rotating, the actors show their skilled performance.

Wheel of Life - The rotating windmills turns to be a great wheel of life hanging on the sky. It is made up of three small wheels. The actors will have a soul-stirring performance on the inward and outward of the wheel, which means the endless cycle of lives.

Forever Love - One actor and one actress whirl in the sky with difficult actions only on one purple ribbon. Acting as inseparable lovers, they dance with each other affectionately.

Space Motorcycles - The moving pictures of “Shenzhou 5 (神舟五号)” flying into the sky, Donghai Bridge across the sea(东海跨海大桥), the speeding maglev trains, etc. occur on the background screen. Suddenly, a huge crash breaks up the stillness. The motorcycles whizz round in the steel caged ball around 20 feet diameter. There are three going around in different directions. The daring motorcyclists barely miss each other in perfectly timed vertical loops inside a circular cage. It is the culmination of the whole show.

Performance Time: You can watch the ERA-Intersection of Time every day. It always starts at 19:30 and also lasts for half and one hour (10 minutes for intermission). There will be an extra show at 14:00 sometimes since ERA-Intersection of Time is quite hot.

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Happy Circus is performed in the Central Theatre of Shanghai Circus World. Themed on "Happy Animals, Happy Spectators" and including Sea Paradise, Forest Fun, Prairie Posture, and City Homeland, Happy Circus combines animal stars, clowns, and aerial acrobatics together, making the whole performance interesting and exciting. It is a perfect choice for families and the kids will fully enjoy themselves by watching these amusing shows.

These cute animals like hilarious monkeys, tactful lions, gentle tigers, lovely dogs, fine horses, and others take their turns to present on the stage. The cumbersome bear can keep balance on a board that is supported by a ball, and it can even catch the rings thrown from the actor. The dogs know how to line up and understand the actors' order. These animals might be able to ride a bicycle, jump from one box to another, play magic tricks, and even solve arithmetic problems... Perhaps, they do nothing strange, but their comical movements always make people burst his sides with laughter.

The goofy but lovable jocular clown is one view-point of the whole show. The Shanghai Circus invited famous Russian clown actors to participate in the work, brought about the style of fashionable western-style and applying the elements of dumb show, making the performance more humorous. Besides, Happy Circus takes advantage of multi-media and creates the dreamscape of the harmonious life of human beings, animals, and nature. Just amazing!

Relaxed and joyful you must feel, but you won't always be. Perhaps the wonderful aerial acrobatics and wild horsemanship will make you thrilled. As two performers are flying from the sky by holding one or two ribbons, spectators maybe break into a sweat with fright. However, when they dance in the air easily and gracefully, they can't help clapping. The horsemanship is tremendous as well. A man on a horse speeds up on the stage, with the second man standing on his shoulder and another man on the second man’s shoulder. No matter how fast the horse runs, the actors won't drop down, as if they are as light as feathers.

Performance Time: The whole show of Happy Circus covers about 100min (10 minutes for intermission).

Shanghai Circus World is located in the Gonghexin Road (共和新路) of Jingan District (静安区). You could easily get there from some hot attractions in Shanghai.

• 6km away from Jade Buddha Temple, 18 minutes’ driving;
• 7km away from Shanghai Museum, 25 minutes’ driving;
• 9km away from the Bund, 23 minutes’ driving;
• 9.5km away from the Yu Garden & Bazaar, 28 minutes’ driving.

By Metro: Metro Line 1 can take you to the Shanghai Circus World directly, and it runs passing by Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai South Railway Station, People's Square etc. You could also transfer to Metro Line 1 easily from Line 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 (almost covering different corners in Shanghai)

By Public Bus: Within 500 meters, there are 5 bus stops where about 10 buses will have a stop. Therefore, it is also convenient to get to Shanghai Circus World by bus.

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