Hidden in an unassuming street of Songjiang’s Chedun Town surrounded by noodle restaurants, internet cafes, massage parlours and short-stay apartments with dusty, noisy loaded trucks moving up and down on the nearby highway is the Shanghai Film Park, home to some of Asia’s best movies and TV series. This 400,000 Sq. meter complex was opened in 1998 and since then sees hundreds of movie productions annually. Similar to the Universal Studios in California, the park is less theme-park like but is open to the public to walk around and explore the eerie interiors of this ghost town. The surrounding area is infested with young Chinese migrants who come in by the thousands to try their luck at a job in Shanghai or follow their initial dreams of becoming the next Jackie Chan.
Most of the park is built to depict China during the time of the Japanese during the 1930s and 1940s. Nanjing Lu, the previous Peace Plaza on the Bund and the Moller Villa are a few of the reproductions of the colonial landmarks of the city of Shanghai. Alongside them are a number of Western style buildings which include a Tudor-style winery in addition to a Titanic-like ferry. The transformation from one place to another as you walk through various eras in history and cities within a space of a few minutes is a surreal experience. The park is so vast that you can easily wonder off alone away from the crowds. The props look so real and the deserted streets so eerie that you almost feel as if you are the only remaining survivor after the apocalypse.
Along with the landmarks are more homely props such as a side lane inlaid with cobblestones and empty bird cages, a rural village and buildings in China, a church and even a mountain scene. The park even boasts a delightfully picturesque lake with sweeping willows and a forested island to sooth the eye and rest after a long walk. There are also early 20th century cars to pose with and playact your own short movie in the streets of 1930 Shanghai. Usually there are at least a few productions going on on the premises and one can watch a film crew in action or if you are really lucky, to get a few autographs from a famous Chinese actor. For a fake Kung Fu act head over to Studio no. 05 at 10.30 am or 1.30 pm for a most enjoyable 20 minutes with an amusing script and crazy kung fu moves to keep you rolling on the floor laughing.
There are a number of hotels in Shanghai for you to choose from. The Langham Yangtze Boutique Shanghai is more than just the ordinary Shanghai hotel and so is sought after by many for its exceptional services and plush surroundings.