Shanghai's first drive-in cinema opens in Songjiang
Songjiang District recently opened Shanghai's first drive-in cinema, offering urban-day trippers a new nightlife getaway.
Located at the No. 2 parking lot of the Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, the open-air drive-in theater releases films in line with indoor cinemas. Two giant silver screens, each 10 meters tall and 20 meters wide, are set up to project two films at the same time.
The beautiful lighting installations from the botanical garden's greenhouse provide a dreamy, dramatic backdrop for the outdoor movie experience.
The drive-in cinema is spread over 14,000 square meters, and the 7,000-square meter first phase that's been opened includes an alfresco theater and VIP areas with a capacity audience of almost 1,000. Some of the latest blockbusters such as "Full River Red" and "The Wandering Earth II" are playing currently.
"It's a new move for Songjiang to dig more into its tourism resources," said Zhou Yan, deputy director of the Songjiang Administrative Committee of the Sheshan Hill National Tourism Resort. As the first project to be put into operation in the Shanghai High-tech Film-making Park, the drive-in cinema will become a new entertainment destination for the city's travelers and a nightlife landmark for night owls and party animals.
There will be more space for dining and recreational activities in the second phase. Events with cinemas, car clubs, 4S stores and catering are also planned, which will be expanded into a one-stop service provider to hold corporate team-building, outdoor festivals, test drive, and outward bound training.
"Open-air cinema is my childhood memory from the 1960s, and today it's back with the aid of high-tech in the beautiful scenery of trees and flowers," said Min Jiang, a Songjiang native. "It's good for us to walk into nature to have fun while enjoying the movies."
