Take 01
2006
Mission: Impossible III
Xitang water town, Shanghai rooftops, Pudong skyline
31.2304°N, 121.4737°E
Shanghai
Experience the dynamic fusion of East and West in China's commercial capital, from historic Bund architecture to the futuristic Pudong skyline.
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Scene 01 — Filmed Here
Notable Productions in Shanghai
Take 02
2012
Skyfall
Pudong skyscraper sequence, Shanghai neon exteriors
Take 03
2013
Her
Pudong skyline doubling near-future Los Angeles
Take 04
2012
Looper
Shanghai modern districts, futuristic city sequences
Take 05
2003
Code 46
Pudong, The Bund, Shanghai metro and night exteriors
Scene 02 — Locations
Filming Locations in Shanghai
From landmark monuments to hidden quarters — every district scouted and permit-mapped.
waterfront
The Bund
1.5km waterfront promenade with 52 historic buildings spanning Art Deco, Romanesque, Gothic, and Beaux-Arts styles. Pudong skyline views across the river.
Lujiazui Skywalk & Towers
Pudong financial district with Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower (632m), and World Financial Center. Elevated circular skywalk connects towers.
Moderate
French Concession
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
Yuyuan Garden
Classical Ming Dynasty garden with pavilions, rockeries, bridges, and traditional architecture. Adjacent bazaar area offers old Shanghai atmosphere.
Complex
1933 Old Millfun
Former slaughterhouse converted to creative complex. Remarkable Bauhaus concrete architecture with bridges, ramps, and geometric patterns.
Easy
Jing'an Temple
Ancient Buddhist temple dramatically juxtaposed against modern skyscrapers. Golden halls and peaceful courtyards amid the commercial district.
Complex
Huangpu River Cruise Route
River filming capturing both banks - Bund heritage architecture and Pudong modern skyline. Charter vessels available for production.
Moderate
Xintiandi
Restored shikumen (stone gate) houses converted to upscale dining and retail. Traditional Shanghai lane house architecture with modern interiors.
Easy
Pudong & Lujiazui
Financial district with Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and World Financial Center creating a futuristic cityscape.
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.
Scene 03 — The Case for Shanghai
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
Scene 04 — Logistics
Transport & Logistics
Airports PVG (30km / 45-75 min) · SHA (13km / 25-45 min) ▼
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 transferIntegrated with Hongqiao Railway Station
Local Transit metro · taxi · rideshare · ferry ▼
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.
Production Parking moderate · Permits required
▼
Street parking limited in central areas. Abundant underground parking at malls and hotels (CNY 10-20/hour in prime areas).
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.
Ready?
Plan Your Shanghai Shoot
From permits and crew to equipment and logistics — we handle everything on the ground so you can focus on capturing China's commercial capital.