Duration: 1 day
Time: May
Average cost: 300 yuan per person
With whom: Family
Style of play: Free travel, weekend getaway
Author visited these places: Shanghai
Published on 2020-05-30 at 19:59
As we grow older, it seems we are missing something, perhaps happiness or perhaps innocence. That’s what I wanted to rediscover! Two weeks ago, while strolling with my daughter on Nanjing East Road, we happened upon a Smurf exhibition at Shanghai Shimao Plaza. It was announced that the first Smurf Park in the Asia-Pacific region was about to grandly open. I immediately arranged our schedule to come and visit. Who says we can’t be kids at heart?
Transportation Guide:
Bus route: As a resident of Yangpu, I took the Shanghai Metro Line 8 to get off at Lujiabang Road, transferred to Line 9 at Dongjing Station, and then took the bus No. 96, which took about 15 minutes to reach the Shimao Nano Magic City exit. If you’re lucky while on Line 9, you might encounter the Smurf-themed train, which is incredibly cute. However, I only caught a glimpse and didn’t have time to take a picture. Arriving in the morning coincided with the grand opening ceremony. For those born in the 1980s, the Smurfs are deeply imprinted in our memory. From the moment we saw Papa Smurf, we started singing: Beyond the mountains, beyond the sea, there’s a group of Smurfs. They are lively and smart, mischievous and clever. They live freely in the green forest, kind and brave, caring for each other. Oh, those lovely Smurfs. These lyrics have been sung since childhood and are impossible to forget.
The Smurfs are indeed cute, but we also sympathize with Gargamel and Azrael, who always want to cause trouble but never succeed, making them probably the most unsuccessful villains. Among so many Smurfs, apart from the most distinctive Smurfette and Papa Smurf, the others look quite similar, yet each has its own unique personality and characteristics. There’s Hefty, who loves to exercise; Brainy, who loves to learn and is also a bit cunning; and Clumsy, who is playful… They are truly fascinating. How many of them can you recognize?
Recommended visit route: Journey to the Center of the Earth – Wonders of Flight – King Mo 6D Cinema – Forest Maze – Berry Swing – Magic Mirror Transformation – Pappy’s Jam Cup – Berry Coaster – Magic Brush Painting – Smurfette’s Garden – Dark Laboratory – Potion Mixer – Azrael’s Jumping Tower – Swamp Adventure
Upon entering the park, you first come to the Da Mao area, which has a visitor center and a storage area. Children can pick up a play map here, which is not just a simple map—it features 17 check-in points. After completing the challenges at each project, you can redeem gifts. The must-visit spots in this area are Journey to the Center of the Earth, Wonders of Flight, and King Mo 6D Cinema.
The Star Soaring ride is undoubtedly a captivating attraction as well. The enormous multicolored glass dome allows for a spectacular light display in the morning as the sun’s rays filter through. My daughter particularly enjoys this ride, feeling like a little princess on a pink spaceship. Journey to the Center of the Earth: A more tranquil indoor roller coaster ride that takes visitors through five distinct sections – venturing towards the Earth’s core, encountering the Earth’s minerals, experiencing an earthquake, escaping from molten lava, and entering the inner core. The indoor scenery, lighting, and sound effects create an atmosphere of tension, suitable even for children. This ride is quite family-friendly and offers an opportunity to discuss the secrets of the Earth’s interior and learn some geography with your child. Mao Xian Wang 6D Cinema: The ‘6D’ refers to the senses of hearing, sight, smell, touch, taste, and feeling. Each film lasts approximately 15 minutes, and the most enchanting part is the bubbles that float down at the end! It’s incredibly beautiful and a must-experience. The screenings are on the hour; I watched the one at 1 PM. The Flying Wonders: This is a classic ride with a strong sense of reality that immerses you in the experience. The large suspended spherical cinema has four cabins, with each ride lasting about 5 minutes. However, there are height and age restrictions for this ride, suitable for individuals between 1.4m and 1.95m in height and under the age of 60. Unfortunately, some children won’t be able to enjoy it, but it’s perfect for adults to have a thrilling time. Forest Maze – Berry Swing – Magic Mirror Transformation are part of the Smurf Village’s forest area, which are more suitable for younger children. Walking into the Forest Maze makes you feel as if you’ve shrunk, and the Berry Swing is a mini version of a pendulum, perfect for building courage and taking photos. I couldn’t resist taking a photo at the entrance of the Forest Maze myself. Pappy Jam Cup – Berry Roller Coaster – Smurfette’s Garden – Magic Paintbrush are even more adorable, recreated straight from the Smurf animation scenes. The Pappy Jam Cup makes you feel as if you’re the jam that might get shaken out. The Berry Roller Coaster is probably the most thrilling ride in the park! It’s a must-try; although it doesn’t look steep, it’s quite thrilling, with adults screaming in surprise. The intensity of the indoor roller coaster exceeded my expectations! Smurfette’s Garden is perfect for babies, a favorite among young girls. As the lights come on, babies spin in the garden just like Smurfette. The Magic Paintbrush is suitable for parent-child games; come and paint in the mushroom house together. Here, children can freely color the Smurfs, creating their own unique character. By scanning, your Smurf will be projected onto the adjacent screen, and you’ll see your personally colored Smurf come to life on the screen! You must experience this to truly feel the sense of accomplishment. Gargamel’s House is a relatively darker area…
Dark Laboratory – Potion Stirrer – Azrael’s Tower – Swamp Adventure. Among this series, I highly recommend the Dark Laboratory. It is somewhat similar to a haunted house. I was scared all the way by myself. There will be a big hand blocking your way on the road. If you want to go out, you can take the slide. The slope is not very steep and the speed is not fast. So children can play with confidence. No problem. Swamp Adventure is a bit like Plants vs. Zombies. Use berries to defeat Gargamel and Azrael. You can compete with your child to see who gets a higher score. There will be scores and photos displayed at the entrance. Of course, the most indispensable thing in the park is definitely the parade. There is a parade here at 2:30 every day. Papa Smurf and Smurfette sit on the float and wave to everyone. You can also see the evil Gargamel making magic potions. Here, children can go forward and hug the Smurfs. The performers are very enthusiastic. They will also prepare many balloons as gifts. Of course, in addition to these must-see items, there are many other things to play. There are so many photo spots. It might be better to explore by yourself. Food recommendation. When you are hungry, of course you have to eat. If you go to the Smurfs restaurant, there will be various sets. The environment is quite good. Personally, I recommend the Chef Smurf’s Bolognese pasta set and Papa Smurf’s burger set. The portion is large and the taste is good. There are also ice cream and coconut water. Of course, in addition to the Smurfs restaurant, there are several restaurants in the park such as Gargamel’s Magic Potion. Popcorn and cakes are all quite good. There is even bubble tea. As a milk tea lover, I am satisfied here! Must-buy products. Of course, you have to buy things here. In the Smurf Gift World, there are many Smurfs waiting for you to take them home! Personally, I still recommend dolls and cups. Among them, the Smurfs doll wearing clothes with the word’shanghai’ is the limited edition here! In addition, the very popular blind boxes are also available here. Which Smurf blind box can you draw? It depends on your luck! (I don’t know if there will be a hidden version.) In the store, the average cost is about 200-300 yuan. Specifically, it depends on what peripheral products you like. A whole round of play takes about 4-5 hours. Of course, due to time constraints, I only bought a single park ticket for the Smurfs Park. If time permits, it is still recommended that you buy a two-park combination ticket for the Smurfs Park + Deep Pit Secret Land. There will be a free Smurf train shuttle in the middle of the park, which is very convenient and considerate. I believe you have all seen the Deep Pit Secret Land on the Internet before. The popular glass plank road and the pendulum that can overlook the deep pit. If there is an opportunity, I will experience it with the hotel later and give you a detailed guide.
Essential Information for Visiting Smurf Village at Shanghai Shimao City Theme Park:
Address: No. 5088 Chenhua Road, Songjiang District
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Ticket Prices: Adult tickets for the single park are priced at 149 yuan per ticket, and children’s tickets are priced at 79 yuan per ticket.