Melo Villareal
Historic No.1 Shopping Center Lights Up Nanjing Road in Shanghai
SHANGHAI, China – One of Shanghai’s historic commercial landmarks is taking on a new identity through light, art, and pop culture.
Light Show of No.1 Shopping Center
The No.1 Shopping Center on Nanjing Road launched its “The One Land” light show on September 20, transforming the eighth-floor terrace of Hall A into a nighttime showcase. The event forms part of the third Shanghai International Light Festival and brings together architectural lighting, cultural storytelling, and contemporary entertainment.
Organized by Bailian Inc., the project uses the century-old landmark as a canvas for a large-scale light art presentation. It combines an architectural light show with a super IP-themed exhibition, creating a new nighttime experience for visitors exploring one of Shanghai’s busiest commercial districts.
The event also features Pop Mart’s THE MONSTERS family, adding a contemporary pop culture element to the historic setting.
A New Way to Experience Nanjing Road
No.1 Shopping Center has long been part of Shanghai’s commercial history. Its location along Nanjing Road has made it a familiar landmark for generations of residents and visitors.
Bailian Inc. is using the building’s history as the foundation for a new cultural and commercial experience. The project aims to bring together shopping, tourism, entertainment, art, and the city’s growing nighttime economy.
The opening program featured string music, dance performances, and an orchestra before guests activated the launch ceremony. The building’s façade then came alive with projected light, creating a visual connection between Shanghai’s past and its present.
Four Chapters Tell Nearly a Century of History
The light show draws inspiration from the building’s Art Deco architecture and presents its story through four chapters. Together, they trace nearly 90 years of transformation, from The Sun Department Store in 1936 to the modern No.1 Shopping Center in 2026.
Chapter One: The First Light – Modern Glamour
The opening chapter revisits the building’s early years and its reputation as one of the most prominent department stores in the Far East.
Light projections highlight the architectural character and glamour associated with the landmark during its early years, giving visitors a glimpse into Shanghai’s commercial culture of the period.
Chapter Two: Department Store Origin – City Light
The second chapter focuses on the energy of old Shanghai. Neon-inspired visuals recreate the atmosphere of the city’s historic shopping streets and celebrate the role department stores played in Shanghai’s urban development.
Chapter Three: Light of Joy – Vibrant Colors
The third chapter shifts toward contemporary Shanghai. Colorful visuals represent the diverse retail, dining, entertainment, and lifestyle experiences that now define modern commercial districts.
Chapter Four: No.1 Shopping Center – Radiant Renewal
The final chapter focuses on the landmark’s latest transformation. Gold and green dominate the presentation as the new “1” visual identity develops throughout the show.
The sequence culminates in the name “No.1 Shopping Center THE ONE LAND,” representing the renewed identity of the historic property and its continuing connection with Shanghai.
Pop Mart Brings THE MONSTERS to the Event
The light show is complemented by the Pop Mart City Park Carnival Shanghai debut, which takes place around the Liuhe Road block.
Fans and visitors can explore themed installations, participate in treasure hunts, and use the “Lianlian GO” platform to check in at festival locations and access exclusive benefits.
The involvement of THE MONSTERS adds a playful contemporary dimension to the event. It also introduces a younger, pop-culture-oriented audience to one of Shanghai’s historic commercial landmarks.
A Nighttime Attraction on Nanjing Road
For travelers exploring Shanghai, the event offers another reason to visit Nanjing Road after sunset. The district is already known for shopping, dining, entertainment, and historic architecture. The light show adds a temporary cultural attraction to the area.
The combination of heritage architecture and contemporary light art also reflects Shanghai’s approach to revitalizing historic commercial spaces. Instead of treating the building simply as a shopping destination, the project presents it as a venue for culture, entertainment, and immersive experiences.
The “The One Land” light show runs until October 16, covering the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday period.
For visitors planning a Shanghai itinerary during this period, the No.1 Shopping Center light show offers a chance to experience Nanjing Road from a different perspective, especially in the evening, when the historic façade becomes part of the visual spectacle.
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