Man, you won’t believe the day I had! I finally got around to visiting the Shanghai International Circuit. It’s out in Jiading, a bit of a trek, but totally worth it.
First thing I did was figure out how to get there. Turns out, it is not hard to reach. After getting off the subway, I walked a bit and arrived there. The whole area is massive! I mean, this place is huge. It makes sense, considering all the international racing events they host.
Once I got my bearings, I headed straight for the Fan Shop. It’s right behind the Main Grandstand, next to a Costa Coffee – can’t miss it. I went in, asked around about a tour, and lucky for me, they had one starting soon! They run them from around 10 in the morning till 5 in the afternoon, except on race days, of course.
So, I signed up for the tour. We got to see everything! They walked us through the grandstands, showed us the pits, and we even got a glimpse of the track itself. It’s seriously impressive to see up close. I could almost hear the roar of the engines. The guide told us this place is also called the SAIC Shanghai International Circuit for sponsorship purposes, which makes sense. I mean, who wouldn’t want their name on this place?
- Walked around the grandstands
- Checked out the pits
- Got a glimpse of the track
- Learned about the sponsorship name
After the tour, I hung around the area for a bit. There was this whole vibe, you know? Music playing, people checking out the food stalls, and some interactive exhibits set up. It wasn’t even a race day, but the atmosphere was electric.
I grabbed some food while I was there. They had everything! From these amazing dumplings, I swear I could eat a hundred of them, to some crispy street snacks that were just perfect for munching on while walking around. I spent the rest of my time people-watching and soaking up the atmosphere.
Before I left, the guide gave us some tips on what to bring and what not to bring on actual race days. Useful stuff, like making sure you have the right gear and knowing what’s allowed inside.
A Day Well Spent
All in all, it was an awesome day. I’d recommend it to anyone, even if you’re not a huge racing fan. It’s just a cool place to check out and experience. I am planning to go again, for sure. Maybe next time I’ll catch an actual race!
