Destination guide for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix
Planning to attend Shanghai for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix and F1 Academy’s first round, but not sure where to start? We’ve got you.
Welcome to our Race Week Destination Guide series, where we speak with fans, creators, journalists and other motorsport professionals who are local to a race or have experienced it firsthand, and break down what it’s actually like to attend a race week around the world.
The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix is only two weeks away. It may not be a race weekend that steals the spotlight, but it is a hidden treasure that could make the season’s first F1 Academy round your new favourite. Here, the action plays out in a city where ancient temples stand just steps from gleaming malls, where a spicy hot pot dinner can lead to a dazzling stroll beneath neon-lit skyscrapers, and where entering the circuit feels like stepping into tomorrow thanks to facial recognition technology.
Why Shanghai feels different on the F1 calendar
Shanghai doesn’t do subtle. Infinite skyscrapers stack into the clouds, and neon lights shimmer on the Huangpu River. Metro lines weave through a city of over 30 million people. And once a year, the city’s electric energy intensifies, signalling the arrival of Formula 1.
Going to a Grand Prix alone, far from home, can feel scary. But not for Jemma Ankin, a 26-year-old adventurous fan and content creator who went to Shanghai by herself for the first time last season and liked it so much that she’s going again this year. She travelled 5,700+ miles as part of her mission to experience as many races as possible. Jemma had already been to Abu Dhabi, had experienced the excitement of races in Europe, and wanted to try something totally new.
“Shanghai is a lovely mix of modern and culture and tradition, new versus old. It’s a place like no other that I have ever been to,” Jemma told us. “It’s such a different experience to what you might get from some of the European races or the American races or even some of the Middle East ones.”
Some races feel familiar before you even land. You know the rhythm. You know the language. You know roughly how the weekend will unfold. Shanghai, however, doesn’t give you that comfort.
At the Shanghai International Circuit, entry works via facial recognition once your passport is registered. Jemma suggests doing this before you arrive at the track for a faster entry. Around the city, most payments are made through apps like Alipay or WeChat Pay, and translation apps become part of your daily routine. So, your phone isn’t just useful, it’s essential.
Compared to other rounds, Shanghai feels like stepping into a completely different world.
“I thought I was very prepared for this trip, doing lots of research beforehand,” Jemma said. “However, the biggest mistake that I made was not understanding how little English was spoken and, therefore, not being aware that I was going to need to do a lot of translations.”
What’s happening at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix?
The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix runs from March 13–15, marking Round 2 of the Formula 1 season and the opening round of the 2026 F1 Academy campaign. It’s the first time this year we’ll see the all-female grid line up, and it does so with a home story woven into it.
Shi Wei returns as the first F1 Academy Wild Card entry of the 2026 season, racing in front of a home crowd after making history last year as the first Chinese driver to compete in the series. Since then, she’s claimed victory in the F4 Chinese Masters — the first F4 race win by a Chinese female driver — marking a meaningful step forward in Chinese motorsport’s development.
Zhou Guanyu is also back in the Formula 1 paddock, this time as a reserve driver for Cadillac, the championship’s newest team. Even if he’s not lining up on the grid, his presence adds another layer for local fans.
“When I attended, I was lucky enough to have a full schedule of racing. We had a Sprint weekend for F1, we also had F1 Academy, GT World Challenge Asia and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, so lots of racing going on on the track,” Jemma told us.
This year follows that same high-energy pattern. Alongside Formula 1 and F1 Academy, fans will also see the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and the SRO GT Cup – Greater Bay Area GT Cup. It’s also the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season, meaning more competitive sessions packed into three days and very little downtime.
The fan zone keeps the excitement going with driver appearances, sponsor events, team merchandise, food stalls, and more. Although it can get busy, it’s well organised and easy to get around once you settle in. The main Fan Zone at Shanghai International Circuit sits just behind the main grandstand (Grandstand A). Here, you can try interactive activities like F1 SimRacing, the Pit Stop challenge, or a virtual pit tour. There are also plenty of merchandise shops, food and drink stands, and chances to meet drivers.
Race week takes over the city
In Shanghai, the Grand Prix doesn’t stay at the track. The race weekend opens alongside something much bigger: the 2026 Shanghai Auto Culture Festival, a 54-day programme of motorsport events, exhibitions and cultural activities centred largely around Jiading District, home of the Shanghai International Circuit.
And this is where Shanghai starts to feel different from many other rounds. Because your Grand Prix ticket isn’t just access to the track. It also unlocks free entry to Qiuxia Garden, Huilongtan Park and Yong’an Pagoda, plus discounted access to Guyi Garden, Tanyuan Garden and the Shanghai Auto Museum. Jiading has even introduced auto-themed tourism routes linking the circuit with surrounding cultural sites, turning race week into something closer to a city-wide itinerary.
Then there’s the Checkered Flag Carnival, China’s only F1-licensed theme event, running both at the circuit and at a second location along the West Bund in Xuhui. It blends automotive displays, test drives and motorsport tech with lifestyle markets and live music. It’s less corporate hospitality, more open-air festival energy connecting the racetrack with the city’s cultural hubs.
Across the wider programme, vintage Formula 1 cars go on display at the Shanghai Auto Museum. Classic car parades roll through Anting Old Street. An “Art in Motion” exhibition pairs vintage vehicles with contemporary installations to explore the aesthetics of speed beyond the grid.
If you arrive early or stay a little longer, Shanghai offers more than three days of racing, leaning fully into being an automotive city for more than just a weekend.
Experiencing the Chinese race weekend firsthand
For Jemma, Shanghai wasn’t just another stamp on the calendar. It challenged her on every level: culturally, logistically, and personally.
“I have been to a few Grand Prix now and I have to say this one was one of my favourites based on the experience I had in a country that was so different to what I’m used to,” she told us.
Seating in Grandstand B, Jemma enjoyed a panoramic view stretching from the start-finish straight all the way to Turn 6. This vantage point allowed her to trace the pulse of each lap, not just a single corner. At £360, she found it a bargain. Even booking just three months ahead, her 4-day adventure came to only £1,213 (€1,390 / $1,638).
But what stood out to her as a first-timer wasn’t just the racing. It was how structured everything felt. The security presence was visible but not overwhelming. The metro system ran efficiently. The fan zone was active without feeling chaotic. Once you understood the rhythm of the weekend, it flowed.
“I travelled solo for my trip to China and the Grand Prix and felt safe as a young female.” Jemma highlights. “Sometimes people looked at me because I looked a little bit different (or even asked for a photo!), but I felt safe using the public transport system and everybody was very friendly to me.”
While reaching the track in some cities can be a headache, Shanghai makes it easy. From downtown, a straightforward 60-minute ride on Metro line 11 gets you there. Staying near this line or with a solid connection keeps race days stress-free.
You don’t travel this far just for the race
If you’re flying across continents for a Grand Prix, you don’t just land, watch the race, and leave. Of course, the race is the anchor, but discovering the city makes the trip feel complete.
And that experience starts with small details. As mentioned, your phone becomes essential here - and not just for photos, but for payments, transport and translation. Alipay or WeChat Pay (Weixin Pay) will likely be your default way of buying everything from metro tickets to street food. An eSIM like HolaFly makes navigating the internet far easier and cheaper, and because many Western apps are blocked in China, a VPN like ExpressVPN ensures you can still access the apps you normally rely on at home.
You’ll soon find yourself checking your battery more often than usual, eager to capture every moment in photos and videos. Luckily, Shanghai has you covered with portable chargers for rent throughout the city and even near the circuit. Still, packing your own charger keeps things smooth and hassle-free. With these essentials in place, you’re all set to dive into everything the city has to offer.
Exploring the highlights of China’s largest city
Yu Garden, known as the “Garden of Happiness”, is an almost 500-year-old classical Chinese garden located in the Huangpu District and a must-see attraction that offers a quieter contrast to the skyline that defines Shanghai. If you prefer a more modern vibe, the Shanghai Tower observation deck gives you 360-degree views from 546 meters above the city. And if you want something different between race sessions, the city offers many ways to immerse yourself in the local culture.
“There are many things to do such as a river cruise, visit the Jing’an temple, or attend a cultural performance. One of my favourite experiences was a private calligraphy class that I just booked on ‘Get your guide’ as it’s lovely to learn a new skill and get some insight on culture from a local,” shared Jemma.
When it comes to food, Hot Pot is a national favourite, and a must if you like hot soup in all its senses. Locals and visitors love Little Sheep Hot Pot in ChangNing District. But if you want a break from local cuisine, Goodfellas is the perfect Italian restaurant to enjoy by the river.
For a shopping spree, the famous Nanjing Road gives you a mix of international brands along with smaller markets and street sellers when you go down some of the side alleys. And if you want a more local feel and want to experience Shanghai’s lively nightlife, Julu Road is the place to be.
Spending time in the city also means paying attention to the small cultural details, because, even with the excitement of race week, we are visitors in a city that is not our own. So, knowing a few simple etiquette rules can make a big difference.
“As you should when visiting any country, I believe it is important to learn some basic words such as thank you, which is 谢谢 (xiè xie) in Mandarin, ” Jemma said. “And often people will bow their heads as well as a sign of respect. If you are visiting a temple, dress modestly.”
Is the Chinese Grand Prix for me?
Shanghai isn’t a race you book on a whim. You pick it when you want something different and don’t mind feeling a bit out of sync at first. It’s for people who like figuring out the public transport in the city, hearing a new language on the streets, and don’t mind getting a bit lost while learning how things work. Somewhere between the race sessions and the city’s skyline, you realise this is what travelling to watch Formula 1 and F1 Academy is all about.
This race is for fans who want to see women compete and are interested in the bigger picture of the sport, especially with the 2026 F1 Academy season starting here. If you care about how new talent comes up and want to witness the beginning of that journey, Shanghai is the place to be.
“Having the opportunity to be that close to the cars, the teams, the drivers, experience the city that’s hosting, the culture of that country and meeting like-minded fans makes being a motorsport fan feel so much more real and alive as opposed to just watching it on TV,” Jemma told us.
See it for yourself
The Chinese Grand Prix is immersive, modern, and full of local character, and Shanghai offers an experience you won’t find anywhere else. Jemma is returning this year, and that speaks volumes.
If you find yourself at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, prepare to enter the circuit with a glance, wander from centuries-old gardens to soaring glass towers in a single afternoon, and feel the excitement of race week all around you. The highlight will be seeing the start of a new F1 Academy season and cheering for women racing alongside Formula 1 on the world’s biggest stage.
