Shanghai Circus World Review 2026: Booking & Visiting Tips
Discover the magic of Shanghai Circus World! Our 2026 guide shares essential tips for booking tickets and experiencing one of Shanghai's most beloved family attractions.
Loading...
Discover the magic of Shanghai Circus World! Our 2026 guide shares essential tips for booking tickets and experiencing one of Shanghai's most beloved family attractions.
Shanghai Travel Review
Maqiao Circus Booking
Tourist Attractions in Shanghai, China

Hello, everyone!
I'm Nabongsun, your travel influencer.
This time, I took my parents on a trip to
Shanghai, China. When I was planning the itinerary,
I looked at several Shanghai travel reviews, and many of them highly recommended
the Maqiao Circus as a must-see.
Actually, I'd always wanted to see a circus during my trip to China. Since the reviews from those who had already been were so good, I decided to enjoy the Shanghai Circus on this special trip with my parents, and we had a fantastic time.
I've carefully compared various providers to bring you some fantastic tips for booking your Shanghai Circus tickets, including
its location, show details, and all the essential viewing tips for this popular Chinese attraction.
1. Location

Maqiao Circus World, a popular tourist destination for Shanghai, China travelers,
has been loved as a representative Shanghai tourist attraction since its opening in 1999.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Udn2tkJYBqhUXj29
Maqiao Circus
Shanghai Circus World
上海马戏城
Address
2266 Gonghexin Rd, Zhabei Qu, S
hanghai, China 200072
Showtimes
(Subject to change depending on the season)
As of December 2025
Tue, Thu: 1 show at 07:30 PM (60 min)
Weekends: 02:00 PM / 07:30 PM (100 min)

Just a heads-up, since the shows are scheduled during rush hour,
if you're planning to take a taxi, make sure to allow plenty of travel time
before you depart. Traffic can be heavy, and some people end up arriving late for the show.
If possible, I recommend taking public transportation.
Take Subway Line 1 to
Shanghai Circus World Station,
and exit from Exit 1, it's very close.

Right next to the venue, there are large shopping malls and great restaurants.
There's also a big RT-Mart, so I recommend arriving a bit early
to explore the surroundings, and then after the show,
you can do some shopping before heading back to your accommodation.
2. Booking

Since this was a special trip for my parents, I meticulously reviewed countless
Shanghai travel blogs and
compared various travel sites to ensure everything went smoothly.

I recommend booking through Klook!
Although it's said that all seats offer a good view of the stage,
since this was a rare opportunity to travel with my parents to
Shanghai, China, I booked A-class seats, and it was an excellent choice!

You can book Maqiao Circus
tickets now at a discounted price!
Book Maqiao Circus Tickets Here
I booked the 7:30 PM weekday show, and
Around 7 PM, when we moved to the designated meeting point,
our kind guide
showed us to a warm indoor waiting area.
The group ticket is for admission,
and we meet here at the meeting point,
then enter all together
under the guide's lead.

Since it's a popular Chinese tourist destination, many visitors flocked,
but the meeting point was located right visible from the entrance,
so I could easily spot our guide
holding a flag at a glance.
My dad has some discomfort with his legs,
so I asked for an aisle seat, and they were very accommodating.
Our guide, who also spoke Korean well, smiled throughout the tour
and took diligent care of everyone, even those who were running late.
This made the performance even more heartwarming to watch.


Before the show, you can take photos with Shanghai Circus
characters scattered around
and buy snacks like popcorn and coffee.
However, snack prices inside are quite high,
so it might be a good idea to bring your own
drinks or simple snacks from outside.
3. The Performance Itself

Throughout my life, I've occasionally seen circus performances
both in Korea and abroad.
The Shanghai Circus in China, however, was even more fantastic and dopamine-inducing than I expected,
and I was moved throughout the entire show.

As the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe prepared this performance for an impressive five years,
it felt less like a typical circus and more like watching a full musical,
combining acrobatics with stunning media art visuals,
and a harmonious blend of traditional Chinese and Western music.
This made it incredibly immersive,
and the overall composition was far from old-fashioned; it was aesthetically beautiful and deeply moving.
What was particularly great was that, apart from a child and doves,
there were no other animals in the circus,
which made it comfortable to watch.
It was a truly memorable performance
from my happy trip to Shanghai, China.

The opening parade, which instantly made us feel like we were traveling in China, began with a woman in traditional attire appearing from a dreamy background, a man in modern clothing,
and performers in splendid costumes holding red umbrellas.
The aerial fabric performance
created thrilling scenes.


The spinning and jumping stunt bicycle acrobatics
had us on the edge of our seats,

A master of balance appeared,
showcasing high-difficulty acrobatics that had the audience
cheering loudly.

There was also a touching moment with several doves,
performing a beautiful trapeze act.

The continuous jumps and rotations using a springboard
were truly awe-inspiring.

As I watched the diverse performances at the popular Shanghai Circus,
time flew by, and soon it was time for the much-talked-about motorcycle act.
In the final highlight of the Shanghai Circus, the bike stunt performance,
multiple motorcycles entered a small, spherical iron cage one by one,
then simultaneously spun inside.
This breathtaking performance had the entire audience
holding their breath and reveling in the thrilling act.

The incredible speed sent my dopamine levels soaring,
and the precise timing and intricate skill
had my heart stopping with tension.
Depending on the seat and ticket type, it costs around ~$21 to ~$35 per person,
and I didn't feel it was a waste at all. It was a truly spectacular and higher-quality
circus performance than I ever expected.
4. Concluding Thoughts

Best of all, my parents said it was the most memorable moment
of their Shanghai trip, and they loved it so much that I felt incredibly proud.
So, I've shared my Shanghai travel review with you!

The Ma Shicheng Circus was an easily accessible and safe indoor performance
that anyone, regardless of age or gender, can comfortably enjoy,
no matter the weather.

It was a performance where there was nothing to complain about, only pure awe
at the staging, leaving a deep impression. That's why I highly recommend visiting it
at least once during your Shanghai itinerary.
By the end, everyone, without exception,
was on their feet giving a standing ovation for this high-quality
circus show.

I hope you book your tickets at a more reasonable price than at the venue.
It's a popular show, so I recommend booking in advance before it sells out.
Book Ma Shicheng Circus Tickets
Masiching Circus World is conveniently located near Exit 1 of Shanghai Circus World Station on Metro Line 1. We recommend using public transportation, as taking a taxi during rush hour may cause delays due to heavy traffic, potentially making you late for the show.
As of December 2025, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there is one show at 7:30 PM, lasting 60 minutes. On weekends, there are two shows, at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM, each lasting 100 minutes.
Masiching Circus tickets can be booked at a discounted price on Klook. While the stage is clearly visible from all seats, booking A-tier seats has been mentioned as an excellent choice.
Masiching Circus is a performance prepared by the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe over five years, showcasing a fantastic performance that harmonizes media art with traditional Chinese and Western music. Only children and pigeons appear in the show; no other animals are featured.

Planning a trip to Shanghai Disneyland in 2026? Discover essential tips on tickets, how to use the official app, and which rides are must-dos for an unforgettable experience.

Planning a trip to Shanghai Disneyland in 2026? Discover the best rides, from the thrilling TRON Lightcycle Power Run to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train!

Discover why the Shanghai Tower Observatory offers the absolute best skyline views in 2026. Learn tips on ticket booking, operating hours, and more!

Wondering how to spend your layover in Shanghai? Here is our honest review of Pudong Airport's First Class Lounge No.39, including how to actually find it.

Discover the Grand Central Hotel Shanghai, a 5-star gem located just one block from East Nanjing Road. Enjoy spacious rooms and luxury amenities for under $120!

Planning a family trip to Shanghai in 2026? Explore the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium for an unforgettable experience with kids and learn how to book tickets easily!