Shanghai International Circuit

About

Formula 1 ventured into China for the first time in 2004 at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Located 20 miles north of Shanghai, and a stone’s throw from the Yangtze River, the Shanghai International Circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke. Built on reclaimed marshland at a cost of $500 million, the track is based on the Chinese ‘Shang’ character (meaning ‘above’). That’s not the only mark of Chinese culture at the track, as the paddock area resembles the ancient Yuyan-Garden in Shanghai.

The track is often referred to as one of Tilke’s best works, with a winding first sector followed by a long straight and a tight hairpin in the final sector. The futuristic-looking main grandstand and facilities set a new standard for Formula 1 circuits. As it was built on marshland, the track had to undergo inspections in 2011 after it was found that certain turns had been sinking.

F1’s first race in China took place in 2004 and since then, Shanghai has been the scene of Nico Rosberg’s and Red Bull’s first Formula 1 victory, while Michael Schumacher also took his final win here in 2006. Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver here with five victories – double the number of any other driver.

Aside from F1, the circuit also previously hosted the 6 Hours of Shanghai each November. In 2019, the circuit hosted the 1,000th Formula 1 race. Attendance figures were in decline at the track in more recent years, Despite this, a new deal signed in 2017 secured the circuit’s position on the calendar until at least 2021.

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the Chinese Grand Prix was removed from the calendar in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Despite hopes to bring F1 back to China in 2023, the race was also called off ahead of the start of the season due to restrictions on travel.

As a result of multiple contract extensions during its time off the calendar, Shanghai International Circuit will now remain on the calendar until at least 2025. Formula 1’s long-awaited return to the track is now expected in 2024, where the event will be the fifth round of the season.

Learn more: Shanghai International Circuit in Numbers

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events at Shanghai International Circuit

The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix has not been held since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The race is expected to return in 2024, on April 19-21 .

Check local race weekends at Shanghai International Circuit in 2024

How to get there

Situated in the Jiading District of Shanghai, the Shanghai International Circuit is around 35km north west of the city centre.

Being the largest city in China, Shanghai is well-served by two airports, Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA). While PVG is the third busiest airport in the country, SHA mainly serves domestic flights plus regional connections to Tokyo and Seoul.

How to get to Shanghai International Circuit:

Metro: From the city centre, the Metro journey to the circuit will take around 60 minutes and is the recommended mode of transport. The circuit has its own metro station stop on Line 11. Note that this line branches out to two end stations – Huaqiao and North Jiading. You need to make sure you are on the train heading to Huaqiao. Click here for a Shanghai metro map.
Rental Car: The circuit is located close to major highways so is easy to access by car. The journey should take 45 minutes from the city center – be wary of congestion on your route, however. Browse rentals in Shanghai with Rentalcars.com.
Taxi: With regulated taxi fares in Shanghai, a taxi from the city centre to the track should cost around CN¥200-250 (€25-35 EUR). Avoid taxis with plate numbers starting with X as these are unlicensed. Shanghai Eastern Taxi Service is one of the more reputable companies in the area. Alternatively, you can hire a car with a driver, with daily rates starting from around CN¥700 (around €90 EUR).

More information about getting to Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix can be found on F1Destinations: Getting There & Around – Chinese Grand Prix.

Where to stay

The Shanghai International circuit is located in Jiading, outside Shanghai’s city centre. While there are plenty of hotels closer to the circuit, we recommend staying in the city center and taking the metro to the track each day.

If you do plan to stay close to the circuit, you’ll need to book well in advance. The Crowne Plaza Shanghai Anting and the Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Jiading are each located just 7km from the circuit, while the cheaper Holiday Inn Express Jiading Industry Park is 10km from the track.

The advantages of staying in the city center include being close to places of interest in Shanghai. The luxurious Yangtze Boutique is surrounded by Nanjing Road and People’s Park, while mid-range options like the Green Court Serviced Apts are a good place to stay if you fancy exploring The Bund. If you’re on a budget, the Phoenix Hostel is a good option – close to Yu Garden, The Bund and Yuyuan Old City. All of the hotels listed offer easy access to metro stations.

Check prices & availability of accommodation in Shanghai

More information about where to stay for the Chinese Grand Prix can be found on F1Destinations: Accommodation – Chinese Grand Prix

Guided Tours

Guided tours of Shanghai International Circuit are affordable and take place year round.

About: Guided Tours of Shanghai International Circuit are available daily, but there’s no information online and you cannot book in advance. Just turn up and try your luck. The 60-minute tour takes you to the top of the Main Grandstand, through the impressive Media Center that spans the circuit, to the team buildings behind the pits, which are arranged around lakes and were designed in homage to the Yuyan Garden in Shanghai. You also get to have your photo taken on the podium. Read about our own tour of the circuit on F1Destinations: A Tour of Shanghai International Circuit
Cost: 50 CNY (approx $7.50 USD)
Register: Go to the Fan Shop (next to Costa Coffee) behind the Main Grandstand and ask about a tour. You should be able to do a tour any day from 10:00-17:00, apart from race days.