Embrace the Romance of Early Summer in Shanghai: Flower Festivals, Concerts, and More!

This week in Shanghai, various activities are taking place, including the 2024 Hydrangea Themed Exhibition, the Iris Flower Appreciation Season at the Shanghai Botanical Garden, and more.

The Chenshan Impression themed flower bed and the Yangpu Riverside have also unveiled new attractions. In terms of performances, the Chinese version of the musical “The Count of Monte Cristo,” the flamenco dance drama “Carmen,” the play “Perfect Strangers,” the Paris Boys Choir concert, Cheer Chen’s solo tour, and G.E.M.’s concert will also be staged successively.

See below for details⬇


Visiting Scenic Spots and Enjoying Flower Seas


2024 Hydrangea Themed Exhibition

Date: From now until June 16
Location: Shanghai Gongqing Forest Park

2024 Hydrangea Themed Exhibition

This year’s Hydrangea Exhibition continues the flower language of hydrangea, which represents “hope,” “happiness,” and “romance.” With the theme of “Encounter,” it implies that everyone will “encounter” beauty and romance and start a happy and wonderful life.


2024 Shanghai Botanical Garden Iris Flower Appreciation Season

Date: From now until May 31
Location: Shanghai Botanical Garden

2024 Shanghai Botanical Garden Iris Flower Appreciation Season

This Iris Flower Appreciation Season focuses on the Iris Garden, showcasing major iris groups such as Louisiana Iris, Siberian Iris, and Japanese Iris throughout the Shanghai Botanical Garden.

Additionally, from May 22 to 28, the 2024 Shanghai Botanical Garden Japanese Iris Exhibition will be held in Building No. 4 in the North Area of the Shanghai Botanical Garden, allowing visitors to experience the collision between Iridaceae plants and floral art.


Chenshan Impression Themed Flower Bed Debuts with New Look

Date: From now onwards
Location: Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden

Chenshan Impression Themed Flower Bed Debuts with New Look

The “Chenshan Impression” themed flower bed has always been one of the most popular classic attractions in the Chenshan Botanical Garden. Located on the large terrace at the northwest corner of the greenhouse, the designers from the Landscape Architecture Department redesign the patterns for the flower bed every year.

This season, the Chenshan Impression flower bed utilizes the height differences of various flower varieties to “three-dimensionalize” the flat flower bed, forming a series of three-dimensional “vases” with ornamental value on the facades, providing visitors with a “dual” experience of appreciating the flower bed and the floral scenery.


10-meter “Light Tower” Lands at Yangpu Riverside

Date: From now until May 26
Location: Yangpu Riverside Minghua Sugar Warehouse Riverside Green Space

10-meter "Light Tower" Lands at Yangpu Riverside

The Light Tower is composed of six square boxes stacked in an interlocking manner.

Different shapes of blocks are taken out from different cubes and restored to different faces of the tower, with the hollowed-out parts serving as the entry points for light sources, forming different external shape changes and the interplay of light and shadow on different faces inside the tower.


Enjoy Spectacular Performances and Concerts


Masters and Classics Series
Sudant and Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra

Date: May 25th
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theatre

Masters and Classics Series
Sudant and Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra

Renowned conductor Hubert Sudant will lead the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra for the third time, collaborating with violinist Huang Bin to present an all-Beethoven program.

The selected “Violin Concerto in D Major” is recognized as one of the most challenging concertos to master. The second half of the concert features Beethoven’s representative work and a milestone in the history of classical symphonies, the “Eroica” Symphony. The opportunity to witness masters performing classics live is equally anticipated.


Musical “The Count of Monte Cristo” Chinese Version

Date: May 24th-28th
Venue: Shanghai Culture Square

Musical "The Count of Monte Cristo" Chinese Version

The musical “The Count of Monte Cristo” is adapted from the literary classic of the same name by French writer Alexandre Dumas, telling a legendary story of love, betrayal, and revenge.

The show has been successfully staged for 18 performances in two rounds at the Culture Square in late 2022 and autumn 2023, receiving countless accolades for its strong cast and exquisite production.


Pure Angelic Voices
Paris Boys Choir Concert

Date: May 24th
Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall

Pure Angelic Voices
Paris Boys Choir Concert

Known as the “French Ambassadors,” the Paris Boys Choir possesses crystal-clear voices and is one of the internationally renowned boys’ choirs. In the first half of the concert, the choir will present French chansons and folk songs, immersing the audience in the unique romantic atmosphere of France.

The second half will feature songs from various countries, allowing the audience to experience the diverse styles of musical cultures.


Play “Perfect Strangers”

Date: May 23rd-June 9th
Venue: Jasmine Theatre

Play "Perfect Strangers"

On a lunar eclipse night, a gathering of old friends—three couples at different stages of marriage and a single man—decide to play an absurd game. As the game unfolds, their relationships begin to fluctuate. Phones, messages, and emails become surgical knives dissecting secrets, revealing countless wounds in this “confession session.”


Flamenco Dance Drama “Carmen”

Date: May 21st
Venue: AIA Grand Theatre

Flamenco Dance Drama "Carmen"

The dance drama “Carmen” is based on the short story of the same name by French realist writer Prosper Mérimée, narrating the legendary love story of the free-spirited Spanish girl “Carmen.”

Dazzling red dresses, ever-changing gestures, and firm, powerful stomping… When flamenco meets Carmen, people will be immersed in a legendary story of love, freedom, and passion, experiencing the beauty that flows freely.


Maggie Chiang
“Singing Out the Sadness Makes Everything Alright” 2024 Tour

Date: May 24th
Venue: Fei Sheng Shanghai

Maggie Chiang
"Singing Out the Sadness Makes Everything Alright" 2024 Tour

“Dear, why aren’t you by my side,” “Love Letter of That Year,” “How Much I Envy You”… There is always a song by Maggie Chiang that has sung out your sadness.

This time, she will launch her 2024 tour with the new single “Singing Out the Sadness Makes Everything Alright” as the theme. In this musical journey, Maggie will lead us through time with a more natural and full state, reliving the deep emotional resonance hidden in our hearts.


G.E.M. “I AM GLORIA” World Tour

Date: May 24th-28th
Venue: Shanghai Stadium

G.E.M. "I AM GLORIA" World Tour

When the familiar singing voice rises beside your ears, can you understand her heart at this moment? After a six-year hiatus, G.E.M. officially kicks off her new world tour with the theme “I AM GLORIA,” bringing fans a stunning and touching cinematic concert experience. The music will stir people’s souls, embrace every weary heart, and reignite the hopes and courage within everyone.


Explore Museums and Enjoy Art Exhibitions


Cosmic Archaeology: A Scientific and Artistic Journey Through Space and Time

Exhibition Period: Now until September 17th
Venue: Shanghai Astronomy Museum

Cosmic Archaeology: A Scientific and Artistic Journey Through Space and Time

As the first overseas-imported exhibition at the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, it showcases 25 works by 18 artists from 8 countries, including Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Canada, Russia, and China. The exhibition is divided into six sections: “Edge of the World,” “Deep Space Topography,” “Orbital Jungle,” “Eyes of Sky Observation,” “Cosmic Past,” and “Inner Sky.”

Through virtual reality, interactive installations, and visual arts, visitors are led on a fantastic journey from deep space, galaxies, and orbits to the earth, civilization, and quantum realm.


Animating the World: Shanghai Animation Film’s Era Memories and Contemporary Echoes

Exhibition Period: May 22nd to October 8th
Venue: Shanghai Minsheng Art Museum

Animating the World: Shanghai Animation Film's Era Memories and Contemporary Echoes

As the first major exhibition since the Shanghai Minsheng Art Museum relocated to 48 Weihai Road in Huangpu District, it follows the display logic from “on-stage” to “behind the scenes” and is divided into five units: “Prelude,” “Animation Journey,” “Classic Tour,” “Media Exploration,” and “Contemporary Response.” Through more than 1,500 exhibits in various forms, such as documents, models, and videos, the exhibition introduces the creative process of Shanghai animation film classics like “Havoc in Heaven,” “Nezha Conquers the Dragon King,” “Secrets of the Heavenly Book,” “Black Cat Detective,” “The Monkey King Conquers the Demon,” and “Calabash Brothers.”


Mehdi Ghadyanloo: Stolen Memories

Exhibition Period: Now until July 28th
Venue: Long Museum

Mehdi Ghadyanloo: Stolen Memories

Iranian artist Mehdi Ghadyanloo is primarily known for his large-scale trompe l’oeil murals created in the center of Tehran. He also creates paintings with surrealist and minimalist themes.

This exhibition is his first solo museum show, featuring 18 works, including 12 newly created oil paintings on canvas and watercolors on paper.


Turning Clay into Gold: World Ceramic Craftsmanship Exhibition

Exhibition Period: Now until July 30th
Venue: Shanghai World Skills Museum

Turning Clay into Gold: World Ceramic Craftsmanship Exhibition

Starting from the depths of history, the exhibition analyzes the journey of ceramic beauty and explores the craftsmanship stories behind it.

At the same time, from an international perspective, it discovers the role of ceramics in connecting the world, being harmonious yet diverse, and sharing beauty.

It fully demonstrates how traditional skills in the new era of social development have been rejuvenated through industrial transformation and talent education and training.


The Picture Book World of Tatsuya Miyanishi

Exhibition Period: May 25th to August 18th
Venue: Hopson One Xingyun Paradise

The Picture Book World of Tatsuya Miyanishi

From preschool children aged 3+ to young people aged 18+, and mothers who find healing power from picture books, as a master of picture book art, Tatsuya Miyanishi’s readers span different age groups worldwide.

This exhibition has 11 major exhibition areas, covering 57 picture book works, and features more than 200 precious manuscripts and paintings, involving over 100 cartoon characters from Tatsuya Miyanishi’s picture books. Almost all the characters you can name are here!


“Legend” and “New Knowledge”

140 Years of “Dianshizhai Pictorial”

Exhibition Period: Now until July 21st
Venue: China Modern News and Publishing Museum

"Legend" and "New Knowledge"

140 Years of "Dianshizhai Pictorial"

“Dianshizhai Pictorial” was first published in May 1884 and is China’s first current affairs pictorial. It preserves a wealth of colorful social and historical materials from that time, covering current affairs, folk customs, new knowledge, and other aspects.

The exhibition will explore the origin, content, and influence of the pictorial, and showcase the original manuscripts from a century ago.


Johnny Negrón Solo Exhibition “Cardiotonic”

Exhibition Period: Now until July 17th
Venue: chi K11 Art Museum

Johnny Negrón Solo Exhibition "Cardiotonic"

The “Cardiotonic” exhibition revolves around mythology, encompassing narratives from religions, mysticism, classical visual and literary traditions, as well as contemporary mythmaking mechanisms from around the world.

The overall space of the exhibition uses dark purple to set off the mysterious atmosphere of the artist’s paintings. The exhibition includes dozens of works, with the artist’s latest paintings also brought to the site.


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