M50 Creative Park

Overview

Located at 50 Moganshan Road in the Putuo District of Shanghai, along the banks of the Suzhou Creek, M50 Creative Park is Shanghai’s most famous contemporary art and creative industry district. The park is converted from a former textile mill complex built in 1937 as the Xinfu Cotton Mill, one of the largest textile factories in Shanghai during the Republic of China era. In the early 2000s, the disused factory buildings began to be rented by artists and designers attracted by the high ceilings, large windows, and cheap rent, and it was officially established as a creative park in 2005, taking its name from its address (50 Moganshan Road). Covering an area of 36 acres, the park features over 40 historic industrial buildings, now housing more than 140 art galleries, artist studios, design workshops, independent cafes, bookstores, and creative companies from over 20 countries. Considered the birthplace of Shanghai’s contemporary art scene, it is a must-visit destination for art lovers, offering a unique blend of industrial heritage and modern creative culture.

Opening Hours

The M50 Creative Park public area is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no entry restrictions. Individual galleries, studios, shops, and cafes have their own operating hours, with most art galleries open from 10:00 to 18:00 daily, closed on Mondays, while cafes and restaurants typically operate from 09:00 to 22:00. During major art events including the Shanghai Biennale and art fairs, many galleries extend their opening hours until 20:00, and special opening events are held in the evenings. Special themed markets, live music performances, and art workshops are often held on weekends, typically running from 11:00 to 20:00. There are no scheduled closure days for the park itself, though individual venues may close for exhibitions changes or holidays, so it is recommended to check the opening hours of specific galleries you plan to visit in advance.

Ticket Price

Entry to M50 Creative Park is completely free for all visitors, with no tickets required to enter the public area. Most art galleries offer free entry to their exhibitions, though some special exhibitions may charge an entry fee of between $3 and $10 per person. Creative workshops including pottery, painting, printmaking, and textile art offered by various studios cost between $15 and $40 per person, including materials. Meals, drinks, and purchases at the cafes, restaurants, and shops are paid separately, with a wide range of price points from affordable coffee and snacks to high-end artworks and designer goods. Private guided art tours of the park can be booked through local tour operators for approximately $20 per person, including visits to selected galleries and introductions to the park’s history and art scene.

Transportation Guide

M50 Creative Park is accessible via multiple public transport options. The most convenient way is by metro: take Line 13 to Jiangning Road Station, Exit 1, which is a 10-minute walk to the park entrance on Moganshan Road. Alternatively, take Line 3 or Line 4 to Zhongtan Road Station, Exit 2, which is a 15-minute walk to the park along the Suzhou Creek. Bus routes 68, 76, 105, 112, 206, 319, 738, 801, 830, and 948 all stop at the Moganshan Road Xikang Road stop, 0.2 miles from the park entrance. If driving, the park has a public parking lot inside the main entrance with 200 spaces, charging $2.5 per hour, which is usually sufficient even on weekends. For a more scenic approach, you can walk or cycle along the Suzhou Creek waterfront path from The Bund area, which is approximately 3 miles east of the park, offering nice views of the river and old industrial buildings along the way. Bicycle rental is available at the park entrance for $2 per hour, allowing you to explore the park and the surrounding area.

Core Highlights

M50 Creative Park’s main charm is its industrial heritage architecture and vibrant contemporary art scene. The historic factory buildings, with their red brick walls, large factory windows, exposed steel beams, and high ceilings, have been beautifully preserved and renovated, retaining the industrial character while being adapted for modern use. The park is home to some of Shanghai’s most important contemporary art galleries, including the ShanghART Gallery, one of China’s first and most influential contemporary art galleries, which represents many famous Chinese contemporary artists including Ai Weiwei and Zhang Enli. Other notable galleries include the M50 Art Space, which hosts regular large-scale exhibitions, and many smaller independent galleries showcasing emerging local artists and international works. You can also visit artist studios, where you can watch artists at work and purchase original artworks directly from the creators. The park is famous for its street art, with many walls and buildings decorated with murals by both local and international street artists, which change regularly as new works are created. Don’t miss the many independent design shops selling handmade jewelry, clothing, home goods, and art prints, as well as the cozy cafes and bookstores where you can relax after exploring the galleries. The best time to visit is on a weekend afternoon, when most galleries are open and there are often special events, markets, and performances. For photography, the best spots are the old factory buildings with their red brick walls and industrial details, the street art murals scattered throughout the park, and the views of the Suzhou Creek from the northern edge of the park. If you are interested in contemporary art, allow at least 2 to 3 hours to explore all the galleries and studios.

Travel Tips

The recommended visit duration for M50 Creative Park is 2 to 4 hours, depending on how much time you spend in the galleries and cafes. It is best to visit from Tuesday to Sunday, as most galleries are closed on Mondays, though the park itself and the cafes and restaurants remain open. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the park is quite large and has many cobblestone paths and old concrete floors that can be uneven. Note that some galleries do not allow photography inside their exhibitions, so look for signs or ask the gallery staff before taking photos. The park is very family-friendly, with plenty of open space and often family-friendly art workshops on weekends. Nearby attractions include the Suzhou Creek waterfront path, which you can walk along to see other historic industrial buildings and bridges, the Shanghai Post Museum, 1.2 miles east, and the Jing’an Temple area, 1.5 miles south, which has many restaurants and bars. For dining, the park has a range of options from casual cafes serving coffee and light meals to restaurants offering Chinese and international cuisine, or you can walk to the nearby Changshou Road area for more affordable local restaurants. If you are visiting during the Shanghai Biennale (held every two years in November), M50 hosts many special exhibitions and events, making it an especially exciting time to visit.