6 Most Haunting Places in Shanghai That Will Make You Scary Before Halloween

Under the lights of Shanghai's skyscrapers, there are many mysterious stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. Let's read and see if there are any creepy places in Shanghai that you know or have been to. Don't forget to use your discretion when reading. 1️⃣🚪Wukang Building (Pictures 1-2) Many people may have seen this building in Shanghai travel posts often. Its unusual European-style shape is one reason why many Chinese sisters stand and take pictures with this building. But do you know that this building has a creepy story hidden in it? During the Cultural Revolution, many people jumped from this building, so the locals started calling it a "springboard". One of them was a famous actress who many people said could still smell her perfume through the door of an abandoned room. Some people also said that they heard the sound of it falling on the ground. After her bedroom window slid open by itself 📍Location: 1850 Huaihai Rd (M), Xuhui District, Shanghai, China 2️⃣💃 The Paramount (Image 3) The Paramount was one of the most stylish and trendy places in Shanghai in the 1930s. The socialites would go there to dance until late into the night. Even Charlie Chaplin once went there to dance. Over time, The Paramount transformed into a dance hall where girls could be paid to dance. The most beautiful of the dancing girls was Chen Manli. Legend has it that she refused to dance with a foreign soldier, which made him so displeased that he sent someone to murder her on the dance floor. Locals say that on some nights, Chen Manli's spirit would slowly come out to dance alone. 📍Location: 218 Yuyuan Rd, Jing'an, Shanghai, China 3️⃣🚇 Caobao Rd. subway station (Image 4) The Caobao Rd. station has an unlucky location, as it is located near a morgue. (The female staff bathroom was said to have been next to the hospital's morgue.) There have been rumors of as many as nine mysterious deaths at the station. Trains inexplicably stop working. Sometimes, a woman's laughter can be heard echoing along the tracks at night. 📍Location: Caobao Rd. Metro Station (Line 1, 12) 4️⃣🐅 Cha House (Image 5) It was originally the home of the Qiu brothers, Shanghai's paint industry tycoons in the early 20th century, who collected a variety of wild animals in their garden, including peacocks, Bengal tigers, pigeons, and even crocodiles. However, after the brothers fled the mansion, the animals were eventually abandoned and died. It is said that during the building's renovation in 2009, construction workers encountered unexplained beasts and bite marks, leading many to believe that the place is filled with the evil spirits of abandoned animals. 📍Location: 420 Weihai Rd, Jing'an, Shanghai, China 5️⃣🐉 Dragon Pillar (Image 6) Among the many pillars supporting the elevated structure in Shanghai, the Dragon Pillar on East Yan'an Rd. is the most famous, not just because of its design. But the story behind the construction is that the engineers were unable to drill through the soil in that area, despite Shanghai’s normally soft soil structure, and construction was halted. A Chinese monk explained that the engineers failed to drill through the soil because they were trying to drill through the veins of a dragon, and suggested decorating the pillar with nine golden dragons. The monks then performed ancient chanting at the site for several days before the ground finally gave way. The monk died shortly after. Although some experts have come up with scientific explanations, the dragon pillar remains one of the most famous legends in Shanghai. 📍Location: Intersection of North Chengdu Rd. (成都北路) and Yan'an Rd. (延安路) 6️⃣🎶 Pacific Department Store (Image 7) The Pacific Department Store in Xu Jiahui was established in 1993. Locals know that it likes to play the classic children’s song “Bao Bei Dui Bu Qi” (Darling, I’m Sorry) over the speakers all day long, and it plays it repeatedly, to the point where people get bored and even annoyed. It is said that this mall is located on the graveyard of an orphanage. Night watchmen would often hear the cries of babies and the laughter of children even when there was no one else in the building. Therefore, a feng shui master advised them to play lullabies day and night to comfort the lingering spirits. This mall was closed in 2023. Where have you been? I'm sure many people have taken pictures with the Wu Kang building, right? If you like this kind of fun China travel content, don't forget to like and follow LocalGuides_TH, everyone!✨ #ChinaTravel #shanghai #localguides