Shanghai opens new animation space on historic Shanghai Animation Film Studio site
Visitors can explore SAFS history, art exhibitions and an XR Monkey King experience
China has launched a new cultural animation destination in Shanghai, with the Shanghai Animation Space beginning trial operations on Friday at 618 Wanhangdu Road in the Jing'an district — the original site of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio (SAFS), which was first established there in 1957.
The venue is designed to celebrate animation culture through exhibitions, workshops and interactive public events. It marks the transformation of one of China's most historically significant creative addresses into an accessible cultural space for visitors.
What the new space offers
The Shanghai Animation Space currently hosts an exhibition chronicling the full history of SAFS, alongside contemporary artistic reinterpretations of the studio's most beloved animated characters. A standout attraction is an XR immersive experience built around The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven, one of SAFS's most celebrated productions. Workshops and ongoing public events are also planned as the venue moves beyond its initial trial phase.
The legacy of SAFS
The Wanhangdu Road site holds a foundational place in Chinese animation history. SAFS was established there in 1957 and went on to produce landmark titles that earned worldwide recognition, among them The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven, Nezha Conquers the Dragon King and Where Is Mama?. These works collectively gave rise to what became internationally known as the Chinese School of Animation.
Shanghai's wider animation landscape
The new space joins an already well-established network of animation venues across the city. Shanghai is home to the Shanghai Animation and Comics Museum in the Pudong New Area, as well as a children's animation park at Global Harbour.
The opening also coincides with a major industry event currently running in Shanghai from 12 to 26 June 2026, which includes dedicated sections for animation, project pitching and AI Backlot technology demonstrations, bringing together creators and technology partners from across the industry.
