Beyond the racetrack: F1 Chinese Grand Prix showcases Shanghai culture

The 2026 Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix is offering fans more than just high-octane action on the asphalt. From March 13 to 15, the race weekend is serving as a vibrant gateway for global visitors to immerse themselves in the local flavors and traditions of Shanghai.

While the world's best drivers battle for supremacy on the track, the circuit's Fountain Plaza has been transformed into a bustling fan zone, creating a carnival-like atmosphere that welcomes both ticket holders and the general public.

The area buzzes with energy, featuring a mix of markets, food stalls, and interactive activities, allowing visitors to enjoy food and drinks with the distant soundtrack of screaming engines providing the perfect backdrop.

Local culture takes center stage in this celebration. The fan zone's food court has become a destination in itself, offering authentic Shanghai flavors. Visitors are queuing up to try nostalgic favorites like Shanghai pork toast, while the star attraction remains the Nanxiang xiaolongbao.

These delicate soup dumplings, a signature dish of Jiading district and a recognized national intangible cultural heritage item, are drawing steady lines of eager foodies. Their popularity has even extended to the paddock, where the delicacy is being served to racing teams, giving drivers and engineers a direct taste of Jiading's culinary heritage.

Beyond the food, the retail experience is blending local identity with motorsport culture. At the expansive 750-square-meter Juss event merchandise store, fans can purchase items that cleverly combine Shanghai's urban character with designs celebrating the Year of the Horse and popular F1 lingo like "box box", the radio instruction from mechanics to drivers ordering them back to the pits during a race. The merchandise is designed to appeal to both die-hard enthusiasts and newcomers to the sport. A pop-up store dedicated to Jiading-themed cultural and creative goods further highlights the district's traditions and crafts, offering souvenirs that reflect the region's artistic heritage.

For many international visitors, the Grand Prix weekend is the perfect opportunity to explore Shanghai more broadly. Russian F1 devotees Kristina Rakitina and Sergey Klimenov said theirs was a dual-purpose journey, not only for the racing but also to experience the local culture. They said they already visited Zhujiajiao Ancient Town in Shanghai's Qingpu district, marveling at its traditional scenery and waterways.

The immersive experience is further enhanced by a centennial auto exhibition, which traces the history of the automobile, and a series of racing simulators that allow fans to test their own driving skills. These attractions are drawing long lines of curious attendees, adding to the festive, multifaceted atmosphere that now defines the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, proving that in Shanghai, the race is just one part of a much larger journey.

Xu Feiyi contributed to this story.