Skip to Main Content
Fixers in China
Start typing to search...
Filming in Shanghai with Pudong skyline view

Shanghai Filming Services

Experience the dynamic fusion of East and West in China's commercial capital, from historic Bund architecture to the futuristic Pudong skyline.

Why Film in Shanghai

Iconic Skylines

The Bund's colonial architecture facing Pudong's futuristic towers creates one of the world's most dramatic urban contrasts.

Film Industry Hub

Shanghai Film Group and numerous production facilities support international co-productions with experienced crews and modern infrastructure.

International Gateway

Most cosmopolitan Chinese city with English-speaking services, international hotels, and efficient transport connections.

Shanghai Filming Locations

From the Art Deco grandeur of The Bund to the futuristic Pudong skyline, we help you access the perfect locations for your production.

The Bund & Huangpu

Historic waterfront promenade with 52 Art Deco and neoclassical buildings facing the Huangpu River and Pudong skyline.

Pudong & Lujiazui

Financial district with Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and World Financial Center creating a futuristic cityscape.

French Concession

Tree-lined avenues with colonial villas, art galleries, boutiques, and sidewalk cafes offering European architectural character.

Old City & Yuyuan

Historic Chinese quarter with Ming Dynasty Yuyuan Garden, traditional bazaars, and temple of the City God.

Jing'an

Upscale commercial district blending historic temples with luxury retail, including the iconic Jing'an Temple and West Nanjing Road.

Hongkou & 1933

Former International Settlement area with Jewish heritage sites and the stunning 1933 Old Millfun Bauhaus slaughterhouse conversion.

Popular Filming Spots in Shanghai

Our local fixers know these Shanghai locations inside out, helping you navigate permits, logistics, and timing for the best results.

The Bund

waterfront

1.5km waterfront promenade with 52 historic buildings spanning Art Deco, Romanesque, Gothic, and Beaux-Arts styles. Pudong skyline views across the river.

Moderate permits

Huangpu District Film Office coordinates permits. Night shoots may require traffic management. Major productions have used closed sections.

Best times: sunrise, blue hour, night
Note: Extremely crowded evenings and weekends. Tight pedestrian space limits equipment.

Lujiazui Skywalk & Towers

landmark

Pudong financial district with Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower (632m), and World Financial Center. Elevated circular skywalk connects towers.

Moderate permits

Pudong New Area administration coordinates public space permits. Individual tower permissions required for interiors and observation decks.

Best times: golden hour, blue hour, night

French Concession

neighborhood

Former French colonial area with plane tree-lined streets, 1920s-1930s villas, and charming lanes. Wukang Road, Fuxing Park, and Xintiandi offer varied settings.

Easy permits

Standard city filming permit for streets. Private property access negotiated individually. Cafes and boutiques often cooperative.

Best times: morning, golden hour
Note: Narrow lanes limit large vehicle access.

Yuyuan Garden

landmark

Classical Ming Dynasty garden with pavilions, rockeries, bridges, and traditional architecture. Adjacent bazaar area offers old Shanghai atmosphere.

Complex permits

Yuyuan Tourist Mart Co. manages permits. Garden interior filming rare and expensive. Surrounding bazaar more accessible.

Best times: early morning before opening, golden hour
Note: Extremely crowded during operating hours. No tripods in main garden.

1933 Old Millfun

building

Former slaughterhouse converted to creative complex. Remarkable Bauhaus concrete architecture with bridges, ramps, and geometric patterns.

Easy permits

Building management coordinates access. Popular filming location with established fee structure. Fashion and music video friendly.

Best times: any time of day, morning for soft light through windows

Jing'an Temple

landmark

Ancient Buddhist temple dramatically juxtaposed against modern skyscrapers. Golden halls and peaceful courtyards amid the commercial district.

Complex permits

Temple authority approval required. Religious sensitivity considerations. Exterior from public areas more accessible than interior.

Best times: early morning, late afternoon
Note: Active religious site - respect ceremonies.

Huangpu River Cruise Route

waterfront

River filming capturing both banks - Bund heritage architecture and Pudong modern skyline. Charter vessels available for production.

Moderate permits

Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration approval. Charter companies handle most permit coordination. Multi-day shoots require advance planning.

Best times: golden hour, blue hour, night

Xintiandi

neighborhood

Restored shikumen (stone gate) houses converted to upscale dining and retail. Traditional Shanghai lane house architecture with modern interiors.

Easy permits

Xintiandi management coordinates access. Established location with clear fee structures. Evening and night shoots common.

Best times: evening, night

Transport & Logistics in Shanghai

Essential logistics information for planning your Shanghai production.

Airports

Shanghai Pudong International Airport PVG

30km / 45-75 min

Maglev train (8 min to Longyang Road, then metro) Metro Line 2 (60+ min) Taxi (~CNY 150-200) Private transfer
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport SHA

13km / 25-45 min

Metro Lines 2 and 10 (30-45 min) Taxi (~CNY 60-100) Private transfer Integrated with Hongqiao Railway Station

Local Transit

metro

20 lines covering most of Shanghai. Runs 5:30am-10:30pm. World's longest metro system. Clean, efficient, and affordable.

Crew tip: Shanghai Metro filming requires administration approval (3+ weeks). Equipment subject to security screening. Off-peak hours essential for crew movement.

taxi

Widely available. Metered fares. Dazhong (blue), Qiangsheng (yellow), and Jinjiang (white) are reputable companies.

Crew tip: Didi dominant for booking. Have addresses in Chinese. Rush hour traffic severe - metro often faster for central locations.

rideshare

Didi operates all service levels. Didi Premier and Luxe available for client transport.

ferry

Cross-river ferries between Bund and Pudong run frequently. Tourist cruises available for river filming.

Crew tip: Ferry crossing offers quick Bund-Pudong transit. Charter options available for dedicated production use.

Parking & Production Vehicles

General availability: moderate

Street parking limited in central areas. Abundant underground parking at malls and hotels (CNY 10-20/hour in prime areas).

Production vehicles: Production vehicle coordination through local production partner and district film offices. Bund area particularly restricted - advance arrangements essential.

Getting Between Locations

Central Shanghai relatively compact compared to Beijing. Bund to French Concession: 15-20 min by taxi. Metro efficient for most locations. Cross-river Bund-Pudong trips add 15-30 min depending on method. Rush hours (7:30-9:30am, 5-8pm) significantly impact surface travel.

Why Film in Shanghai

  • World-class blend of historic colonial architecture and ultra-modern skyscrapers
  • China's most film-experienced city with robust production infrastructure
  • Cosmopolitan environment familiar to international crews
  • Water-based filming on Huangpu River with dramatic backdrops
  • Direct international flights and efficient city logistics

Ready to Film in Shanghai?

Let us handle permits, crew, equipment, and logistics while you focus on capturing China's most cosmopolitan city.