The Shanghai Tourism Festival is bringing one of its signature attractions back to the streets this September, with 21 newly designed floats set to traverse the city.

The floats will make their debut at the 37th Shanghai Tourism Festival Grand Parade on the Bund on Sept 12, joining 21 performance groups from China and abroad.

From Sept 13 to Oct 6, the floats will travel to 10 locations — Jing'an, Chongming, Hongkou, Jiading, Qingpu, Xuhui, the Lin-gang Special Area, Minhang, Putuo, and Songjiang — for parades and displays.

What to look for

This year's floats draw inspiration from Shanghai's cultural attractions, traditional crafts, technology, and international connections.

A wildlife-themed float, developed collaboratively by Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, and Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, will bring together some of the city's best-known animal attractions.

Shanghai's historic towns will also take center stage. Nanxiang Ancient Town's float pairs trendy collectible figures with its famous xiaolongbao, or steamed soup dumplings, while floats inspired by Zhujiajiao and Xinchang showcase the charm of Jiangnan water towns. Songjiang's float brings together its four landmarks, including Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park.

Technology also features prominently. One float will feature robots serving as tour guides and servers, offering a glimpse of how artificial intelligence is finding its way into travel and everyday life.

Etihad Airways will join the float parade for the first time with a design inspired by a Boeing 787, while a collaboration between Shanghai Arts and Crafts Factory and the Xiling Seal Engraver's Society uses light and shadow to give traditional Chinese seal engraving a contemporary twist.

Floats from cities including Suzhou, Ningbo, and Nanjing will showcase the culture of the Yangtze River Delta, while another from Dehua in Fujian province will highlight the area's renowned white porcelain.

Where to see the floats

Following their Bund debut, the 21 floats will travel around Shanghai on the following schedule:

Jing'an district

Sept 13, 8–8:30 pm

Life Hub @ Daning (大宁国际)

Chongming district

Sept 15, 6:55–8:55 pm

Chongming Avenue and Wanda Plaza

Hongkou district

Sept 17, 7:30–8 pm

The Inlet (今潮8弄) and Life Hub @ Bund Central (滨港商业中心)

Jiading district

Sept 19, 6:30–8:30 pm

Wuwei Road, between South Guyiyuan Road and Chaxi Road

Qingpu district

Sept 24, 6:30–9 pm

Qingpu Wuyue Plaza (青浦吾悦广场)

Xuhui district

Sept 25, 7:30–8:30 pm

Xiaomuqiao Road, between Middle Longhua Road and Ruining Road

Lin-gang Special Area

Sept 26, 6:30–9 pm

Ring of Glory (荣耀之环), Dishui Lake Celebration Square (庆典广场), and Turing Square (图灵广场)

Minhang district

Sept 27, 7–7:30 pm

The route runs west along Zhujian Road from Longpanqiao Road, then south along Lianyou Road to Minbei Road.

Putuo district

Sept 28, 6–8 pm

Global Harbor (环球港) and the nearby section of North Kaixuan Road

Songjiang district

Sept 29–Oct 6, 6:30–8:30 pm

Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park (广富林文化遗址), Xuanwu Gate entrance

All 21 floats will assemble at Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park from Sept 29 to Oct 6. A series of events marking the close of the Shanghai Tourism Festival will also be held in Songjiang on Oct 6.

*The schedule is subject to change. Visitors are advised to check official updates before setting out.

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism