Shanghai has launched 18 city-customized events as part of its ongoing Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season, inviting global travelers to experience the city's vibrant pulse and immerse themselves in its rich culture. From major exhibitions and thrilling street sports to iconic pop culture and lifestyle showcases, this city-wide celebration promises unforgettable experiences for all.

Summer tour at Sinar Mas Plaza

When: July 25 to Aug 10

Where: Sinar Mas Plaza, No 588 Dongchangzhi Road

Shanghai's skyline welcomes The Stage, the city's newest and highest open-air observation deck at 320 meters. Accessible with a ticket, visitors can enjoy exclusive drinks and desserts while taking in breathtaking skyline views and snapping unforgettable photos. Don't miss Playground X on the 5th floor of Sinar Mas Plaza, featuring both indoor and outdoor basketball courts — the perfect place to stay active and enjoy the energy of a Shanghai summer. International visitors can present their passports at the LG1 customer service desk to receive an exclusive SMP Blooming Passport. Collect stamps and redeem them for surprise gifts!

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Star of Shanghai﹒MAP Orsay Cruise

When: Now to July 31

Where: Oriental Pearl Cruise Wharf, No 2852 Binjiang Avenue

The Museum of Art Pudong has partnered with the Oriental Pearl Tower and Trip.com to launch the Star of Shanghai﹒MAP Orsay Cruise, an exhibition-themed boat experience that set sail for the first time on July 4. This special journey combines city sightseeing with artistic exploration, drawing inspiration from two iconic rivers: the Huangpu River in Shanghai and the Seine River in Paris. It connects two cultural landmarks — the Museum of Art Pudong and the Musee d'Orsay — creating a dynamic, floating dialogue between Chinese and French art and architecture.

Van Cleef & Arpels: Poetry of Time

When: Now to Aug 11

Where: West Bund Dome Art Center, No 2300 Longteng Avenue

This watchmaking exhibition makes its global debut in Shanghai, featuring a newly designed scenography. Explore sections like the Cabinet of Curiosities, which showcases the brand's historical archives and museum collections, alongside themed galleries highlighting its signature sources of inspiration — ballerinas and fairies, Poetic Astronomy, love stories, and Enchanted Nature. Visitors can also view a new automaton and the latest Metiers d'art masterpieces.

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Amazing Zhulong: An Immersive Exhibition of Eastern Mythology

When: July 15 to Oct 8

Where: China Art Museum, Shanghai (No 205 Shangnan Road)

As the world's first major art-tech exhibition focused on mythical Chinese beasts, Amazing Zhulong brings ancient legends into the future. Created by top international teams over several years, it uses cutting-edge technologies such as real-world sets, naked-eye 3D, and holographic lasers to resurrect the legendary dragon Zhulong. Spanning nearly 2,000 square meters, the exhibition invites visitors into a stunning world — no VR gear needed.

Spanish Arts Festival on the Bund 2025

To mark the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain, the Jiushi Art Museum has launched the Spanish Arts Festival with support from the Art Exhibitions China, the Embassy of Spain in China, the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain in Shanghai, and the Miguel de Cervantes Library.

Featured exhibitions

↘Splendor to Nature: Gaudi with His Era

When: Now to Oct 8

Where: Bund 18 Jiushi Art Gallery, 2F, No 18 East Zhongshan Road Number One

↘Splendor Immerses Everything: Sound of Gaudi

When: Now to Oct 8

Where: Jiushi Art Salon, 1F, No 230 East Beijing Road

↘Jorge Rando: Quiero Pintar La Vida

When: Now to Aug 22

Where: Shanghai Jiushi Art Museum, 6F, No 27 East Zhongshan Road Number One

↘Art Masters: A Virtual Reality Experience

When: Now to Oct 12

Where: Jiushi International Art Center, 2F, No 1 East Zhongshan Road Number One

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David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)

When: Now to Nov 30

Where: West Bund Museum, No 2600 Longteng Avenue

This is the first immersive art exhibition by David Hockney, one of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Rather than a traditional retrospective, this 55-minute digital journey is a vivid re-imagination of his six-decade career. Featuring massive projections, dynamic surround sound, and towering screens, visitors are fully immersed in Hockney's unique visual universe.

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, official WeChat accounts of The Stage, Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Jing'an Media Center, Amazing Zhulong, the publicity department of the CPC Huangpu district committee, and West Bund Museum