Every June, Shanghai is illuminated by a grand feast of light and shadow——the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). As the only international Class A film festival in China, it not only gathers top global films, directors and actors, but also perfectly integrates Shanghai’s fashion, retro charm and daily vitality. For foreign tourists, this is not only an unmissable film event, but also an excellent opportunity to explore Shanghai in depth. This guide will help you easily unlock the dual beauty of “film festival + Shanghai” from three dimensions: core information of the film festival, practical travel tips and surrounding travel recommendations, making every light and shadow journey full of surprises and convenience.
Founded in 1993, SIFF is held annually in June (the 28th SIFF in 2026 is expected to open in mid-June, with specific dates to be announced on the official website). It lasts for about 10 days and is on a par with film festivals such as Cannes and Venice. It is an important platform for global filmmakers to communicate and a window for the general audience to get close to high-quality world films. The core sections of the film festival include five competition units: Golden Goblet Award Main Competition, Asian New Talent, Documentary, Animation and Short Film, as well as the International Film Panorama. Every year, hundreds of films from dozens of countries and regions around the world are selected, including classic works by masters, sincere works by emerging directors, and special units such as 4K Restoration and Science Fiction Film Week, meeting the viewing needs of different audiences. In 2026, the film festival will also hold an International Film and Television Market simultaneously, gathering global film and television institutions to create a dual experience of “exhibition + activities”, and even set up an open-air market for the public, allowing you to feel the vitality of the film and television industry outside the cinema halls.
For foreign tourists, mastering the ticket purchase skills in advance is the first step to start the light and shadow journey. SIFF tickets are mainly sold through the official designated platform——Taopiaopiao APP, as well as Alipay and Taobao mini programs. The ticket sales time is usually 1-2 weeks before the opening of the film festival, and the specific opening time will be announced in advance on the official website (www.siff.com). Since tickets for popular films are in short supply, it is recommended that you download the Taopiaopiao APP in advance, register an account and complete real-name authentication (passport information can be used), set your location to Shanghai, collect your favorite films in advance, and snap up tickets in time when sales start. Each person can buy a maximum of 4-6 tickets per film. After successfully purchasing tickets, you need to go to the corresponding cinema on the day of the screening to collect the paper ticket through the self-service ticket machine by scanning the QR code or entering the ticket collection code. All screenings require paper tickets for admission, so it is recommended to arrive at the cinema 1 hour in advance to avoid missing the screening due to queuing. In addition, some screenings will arrange post-screening exchanges with directors and actors. English screenings are equipped with Chinese subtitles, and Chinese screenings are equipped with English subtitles. You can check the subtitle information on the ticket purchase page to ensure that your viewing experience is not affected by language.
SIFF screening venues are scattered in various districts of Shanghai, among which the core venues are worth focusing on to help you plan your itinerary reasonably. Shanghai Film Art Center is the main venue of the film festival, located at No. 160 Xinhua Road. It is not only the venue for the red carpet ceremony, but also the Dolby Hall on the 6th floor has top-notch audio-visual effects, making it the first choice for watching blockbusters. Peace Cinema is located at No. 290 Middle Xizang Road. As an old-fashioned cinema, it is full of atmosphere, and its IMAX hall is an excellent choice for watching sci-fi and action films. Broadway Cinemas (No. 1018 Changning Road) focuses on niche art films, with comfortable seats and a strong artistic atmosphere around it. Shanghai Grand Theatre mainly holds the opening ceremony, closing ceremony and Golden Goblet Award Award Ceremony. With its magnificent architecture, it is also one of Shanghai’s landmark buildings. You may wish to stop and appreciate its unique design aesthetics after watching the film. In addition, the 2026 film festival will add several new screening venues, covering all urban areas of Shanghai, and even set up branch venues in some cities in the Yangtze River Delta. You can choose convenient venues to watch films according to your accommodation location and film arrangement.
In terms of transportation, Shanghai’s public transport is convenient and efficient, which can fully meet your travel needs during the film festival and is very foreign tourist-friendly. It is recommended that you buy a Shanghai Metro 3-day pass or 7-day pass, which allows unlimited rides on Metro Lines 1-18, covering all SIFF venues with high cost performance. Shanghai Metro signs are in both Chinese and English, and station broadcasts are also in English. You can query specific routes through mobile maps (both Google Maps and Baidu Maps are available) to reach each venue easily. If you go to a farther venue, you can choose a taxi or online car-hailing. Taxis have obvious signs, and online car-hailing can be booked through the DiDi Chuxing APP, which supports English interface and international credit card payment, making travel very convenient. To get from Shanghai Pudong International Airport or Hongqiao International Airport to the urban area, you can take Metro Line 2 or Line 10 directly, with a journey of about 40-60 minutes. You can also choose airport buses or taxis. There are English guidelines at the airport exits to help you transfer quickly.
For accommodation recommendations, it is recommended that you prioritize hotels near the core venues of the film festival or along the metro lines, balancing convenience and comfort. If you prefer a prosperous business district, you can choose hotels near People’s Square and East Nanjing Road. These areas are close to Peace Cinema, with dense metro lines, convenient for traveling to other venues, and surrounded by many shopping malls and restaurants, making life convenient. If you like an artistic atmosphere, you can choose hotels near Xinhua Road and Anfu Road, close to Shanghai Film Art Center. There are many niche cafes, bookstores and artistic blocks around. You can walk on the streets after watching films to feel the artistic atmosphere of Shanghai. If you pursue high cost performance, you can choose chain hotels along the metro lines, which are moderately priced, fully equipped and convenient for transportation, suitable for long-term stays. Accommodation can be booked through platforms such as Booking, Agoda and Ctrip. Booking 1-2 months in advance can enjoy more preferential prices. You can note “foreign tourists” when booking, and some hotels will provide English services and entry reception assistance.
In addition to watching films, you may wish to take time to explore Shanghai’s urban customs and feel the diverse charm of this city. The top attractions near the core venues are first the Bund, located on the banks of the Huangpu River, only 10 minutes’ drive from Peace Cinema. There stand dozens of modern buildings with different styles, known as the “Gallery of International Architecture”. In the evening, the lights on both sides of the Huangpu River are lit up, and the scenery is very spectacular, making it an excellent place for taking photos. You can take a ferry between the Bund and Lujiazui to enjoy the different urban styles on both sides. Yu Garden is also a must-visit attraction, located in Shanghai’s old urban area, not far from People’s Square. It retains the garden architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with pavilions, terraces, small bridges and flowing water, full of Jiangnan charm. The surrounding Yu Garden Old Street has many Shanghai characteristic snacks and handicrafts, where you can taste xiaolongbao, smoked fish, sweet and sour pork ribs and other delicacies, and buy characteristic souvenirs.
In terms of food, as an international metropolis, Shanghai has both local characteristic food and food from all over the world, which can fully meet the tastes of foreign tourists. There are many delicious foods worth trying around the film festival venues: Laoximen Lamb Noodle opposite Shanghai Film Art Center is open 24 hours a day with authentic taste; Confession Hot Pot on the top floor of Jing’an Joy City has a romantic environment and needs to be booked 3 days in advance; Brut Eatery on Anfu Road is popular for its signature crepes. In addition, you can also try local characteristic snacks such as Shanghai xiaolongbao, glutinous rice balls with fermented rice, and fresh meat mooncakes. In business districts such as East Nanjing Road and Yu Garden Old Street, there are many time-honored restaurants, such as Nanxiang STeamed Bun Shop and Green Wave Corridor, where you can taste the most authentic Shanghai flavor. If you prefer international food such as Western food and Japanese food, you can go to areas near Jing’an Temple and Xintiandi, where there are many high-end restaurants and characteristic small shops to meet your different needs.
Finally, here are some practical tips to help your trip to Shanghai go more smoothly. First of all, Shanghai’s climate in June is warm and humid, with an average temperature of about 25-30℃, and occasional rainfall. It is recommended to bring a light coat and an umbrella, and wear comfortable shoes for long walks and film viewing. Secondly, it is recommended to prepare important documents such as passport and visa in advance, and keep a copy separately to avoid loss. Thirdly, most shopping malls, restaurants and hotels in Shanghai support credit card payment, and some small shops support mobile payment. You can prepare a small amount of RMB cash in advance for paying small fees. Finally, during the film festival, there are a large number of people in Shanghai. It is recommended to plan your daily itinerary in advance, avoid traveling during peak hours, abide by the cinema rules when watching films, keep quiet, and jointly maintain a good viewing environment.
A feast of light and shadow, a charming Shanghai. The Shanghai International Film Festival not only allows you to appreciate the charm of global films, but also lets you feel the fashion, retro charm and daily vitality of Shanghai. It is hoped that this guide can help you with your trip to Shanghai, and may you encounter beauty in the light and shadow and gain unforgettable travel memories in Shanghai.
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