Adam’s Journey Report – 2025 Chinese language Grand Prix

Adam Rosales tells us about his first journey to the Chinese language Grand Prix in Shanghai, an reasonably priced race that gives glorious spectator views.

Images kindly provided by Adam. Extra photographs provided by GPDestinations.

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Attending the Chinese language Grand Prix was probably not on my radar till I discovered a stable loyalty factors deal for flights that lined up with race weekend. It may be arduous to supply tickets for this race (particularly as a foreigner), however I additionally knew that GPDestinations nonetheless had some obtainable. I additionally discovered an important deal for a Hilton lodge in Shanghai for 4 nights, two of which I used to be capable of cowl with loyalty factors.

After getting my accomplice’s approval, I went forward and booked the journey! I reached out to a pal dwelling in Hong Kong and let him know my plans. He was keen to hitch me for race weekend. With an affordable flight, lodge and race ticket all confirmed, I used to be able to journey to what was each a brand new nation and a brand new race weekend for me, in addition to hang around with an outdated pal.

Grandstand B

I bought a ticket for Grandstand B, which is positioned on the surface of Flip 1 at Shanghai Worldwide Circuit. GPDestination’s ticket provider, GPT-Worldwide, allotted us some nice seats within the higher B1.2B part of the grandstand. We had been near the Predominant Grandstand A and had a view of just about all of Sector 1! There was a small blind spot after Flip 4, however you could possibly see the hairpin of Flip 6 and the vehicles didn’t disappear absolutely till they swept into Flip 7.

This was positively probably the greatest views from a Flip 1 grandstand that I’ve ever skilled! Having the ability to watch the vehicles launch into Flip 1 on the race begin and battle by way of numerous racing traces in each the dash race and grand prix was a improbable expertise.

The grandstand follows the curve of the circuit and encircles the Flip 1 part like an enviornment. It was once GA however was expanded right into a grandstand earlier than the race returned after the pandemic in 2024. It’s a giant grandstand, and value noting that the views from different sections will likely be very totally different to what I skilled. For instance, you might be able to see extra of Turns 5-7 however the view of Flip 3 would in all probability be blocked by the partitions, because the circuit dips downhill between Turns 2-3.

Ticket Registration & Circuit Entry

The group at Shanghai Worldwide Circuit is fairly distinctive. China is well-known for its superior use of facial recognition know-how, and this extends to the ticketing and entrance course of on the circuit in Shanghai. It’s the one circuit on the present calendar to not use conventional printed tickets, QR codes or e-ticket PDFs.

About six weeks earlier than race weekend, GPT-Worldwide contacted me to register our tickets with our passport. As soon as we registered, I used to be despatched a hyperlink to add a scan of our passports in addition to a photograph for use on the entry gates.

The web site was a bit choosy in regards to the photographs and scans used. However due to some feedback on the r/grandprixtravel subreddit (of which I’m the founder and moderator) and the ‘Going to the Chinese language Grand Prix’ Fb group, I uploaded my image utilizing an actual scanner somewhat than my cellphone. This did the trick and as soon as I used to be registered, my tickets had been obtainable in my account on the Chinese language ticketing portal, and I may see the precise seat that I’d been allotted in Grandstand B.

Upon arrival on the circuit, I went by way of the conventional occasion safety after which the turnstile for tickets scanned my face. The show confirmed the picture I uploaded and the ticket seat info and I used to be allowed to proceed. As soon as contained in the circuit, there are secondary facial scans to enter every grandstand.

It’d sound sophisticated, however as soon as the net registration was accomplished, every little thing was tremendous simple. It was good not having to fret about carrying tickets or exhibiting tickets on my cellphone, particularly when getting into the grandstand with a number of drinks in my hand!

Trackside Group, Circuit Services, Meals & Drink

It’s value noting that there have been no meals or drink distributors inside my grandstand. The foods and drinks distributors for Grandstand B had been all outdoors the gates, behind or underneath the grandstand. (I’m informed that there are foods and drinks distributors inside the primary grandstand, nonetheless.)

There was loads to select from when it comes to foods and drinks, and distributors had been positioned throughout the fan areas and near the grandstands. Traces had been prolonged at occasions however fairly nicely organized and streamlined, on condition that China makes use of digital (primarily smartphone) funds for every little thing. Distributors largely understood English and it wasn’t tough to purchase something with hand gestures like pointing at what you wished to purchase.

Meals choices catered to each native and worldwide followers, together with burgers, scorching canines, noodles and rice bowls with numerous proteins. There have been additionally loads of snacks obtainable, reminiscent of fries/chips, rooster nuggets, popcorn and lobster crisps. The common meal price round 80 RMB ($12 USD) and a Heineken 500ml was 40 RMB($6 USD).

There have been numerous sponsor activations each contained in the circuit and outdoors the metro station, in addition to show vehicles, merchandise stalls, and meals/drink concessions. Loos had been indoor and cleaned continually beneath each grandstands A and B. There have been additionally some non permanent indoor loos on the fan zone subsequent to the metro, not all of which had western-style bogs. The primary cubicle I opened there was a “gap within the floor” squat kind, however I simply went to the following one over and located a western-style rest room (and a urinal).

Total, Shanghai Worldwide Circuit is a improbable facility. Regardless that it’s greater than twenty years outdated, it nonetheless feels very fashionable when in comparison with another present F1 circuits. The safety (and soldier!) presence was excessive, making it really feel very secure always. As an English speaker, I used to be capable of get by simply advantageous. My pal speaks Mandarin, which made issues simpler for us, nevertheless it was not essential on the circuit as a lot as downtown.

Trackside Meetup

I organized a small meetup on the monitor for the subreddit I reasonable known as r/grandprixtravel and had about 8-10 totally different individuals present up. It was nice to fulfill others and never that tough to rearrange. It’s possibility if you’re open to assembly different followers from a like-minded neighborhood like my subreddit or the ‘Going to the Chinese language Grand Prix’ Fb group. The Chinese language Grand Prix is overwhelmingly attended by native followers, so it was additionally good to carry among the fairly small contingent of worldwide followers collectively at this race.

Attending to Shanghai Worldwide Circuit

Like many purpose-built circuits on the present F1 calendar, Shanghai Worldwide Circuit is constructed on the outskirts of town. The circuit is definitely accessed by Shanghai Metro Line 11 and there’s a station subsequent to the circuit. My pal and I used a mixture of taxi and metro to get to and from the circuit throughout race weekend. Taxis (DiDi) are literally pretty low cost to get across the metropolis. You possibly can get them organized from the DiDi app inside Alipay.

On Friday, we took a DiDi Luxe from my lodge to the circuit for 133 RMB ($19 USD). The trip took about one hour and there was some visitors, however not large delays. We took the metro dwelling that day. It’s simple to make use of the metro system with the Alipay app; you’ll be able to generate a QR code to make use of on the turnstiles, which in flip prices your account.

On Saturday, visitors was a lot heavier and I noticed midway by way of the journey that our DiDi driver didn’t take the toll street. The police additionally closed many roads across the circuit. Our driver wasn’t certain the place to go and we acquired caught in visitors near the circuit – together with many different autos. After about 90 minutes, we determined to get out of the automotive at one of many roads resulting in the circuit and stroll (jog!) the remainder of the way in which. It was a bit of over a mile, and it seemed like we’d not make it in time for the beginning of the dash. Fortunately, I used to be capable of flag down a hospitality shuttle and persuade the motive force to take us nearer to the gate. I despatched him a small tip through Alipay to thank him. We arrived at our seats because the formation lap began for the dash, and determined we’d not take any extra taxis! After qualifying, we returned to town through metro.

On Sunday, we took the metro each to and from the circuit, experiencing an fascinating type of crowd management after the race that I hadn’t seen used earlier than. On the gates to the metro, the police held the group for a couple of minutes at a time. We had been herded right into a separate gated space, the place we waited till it was full and had been then allowed to board the following practice. It felt like we had been a herd of cattle, nevertheless it truly labored rather well. The quantity of followers within the holding was sufficient to fill the practice with out it feeling overcrowded or uncomfortable.

The closest station to my lodge was a few 25 minute stroll away, so we determined to take a DiDi to and from the metro cease. Utilizing DiDi to get to and from the airport was additionally simple. Usually, I paid a bit extra for the premium model (DiDi Luxe), which was a van with snug recliner chairs and likewise provided free snacks and a selection of nonetheless and glowing water!

Getting a China Visa

Having to acquire a vacationer visa to go to a rustic was a brand new expertise for me. I’ve visited different races the place it is advisable to acquire a ‘visa on arrival,’ reminiscent of Bahrain. As a US citizen, the method was a bit of bit tougher for China. The truth that my closest Chinese language Embassy (in Houston, Texas) had not too long ago closed made it much more tough. I didn’t actually have the time (and didn’t wish to spend cash on flights and resorts) to make an in-person software on the subsequent closest Chinese language Embassy in Washington, DC.

In the long run, I simplified the entire course of through the use of a visa agent, Austin Passport Categorical. They helped me fill out the visa software kind on the official Chinese language web site and made certain my picture met the rules. I dropped off my passport with the company, submitted the appliance, and paid their charge ($399 USD) and the visa charge ($140 USD). The visa agent used a courier service with in a single day transport to get my passport to the embassy in Washington DC. I obtained my passport again through courier about one week later. Getting the visa ended up being my greatest expense of the entire journey however it’s legitimate for ten years.

Web Restrictions & Important Apps

In some ways, China is totally different to the opposite international locations that Method presently visits. For instance, Google doesn’t actually work. I did some analysis earlier than the journey on GPDestinations, Reddit and numerous journey blogs. This helped me to obtain the fitting apps forward of time and be prepared for after I arrived in Shanghai. I additionally downloaded a VPN however ended up not needing to make use of it, as a result of my cellphone was on roaming and technically nonetheless utilizing my American cellphone community.

I used to be capable of entry all my social media and didn’t encounter the standard net restrictions that affect most vacationers to China. My pal who joined me for the weekend had additionally lived in Shanghai (albeit ten years in the past) and was capable of assist me arrange the 2 most vital apps, Alipay and WeChat, forward of time.

Alipay is the most typical approach to pay for something and likewise has built-in apps reminiscent of AMaps (just like Google Maps) and DiDi (just like Uber). The app additionally had metro and bus schedules, plus a great deal of different helpful info. WeChat is just like the Chinese language model of WhatsApp, and is crucial for speaking with different individuals in China.

Downtown Shanghai

Shanghai is nicely linked and straightforward to navigate, although there are some language limitations. When you’re affected person and keen to embrace new adventures, you’ll have a good time. English isn’t spoken very a lot in everyday interactions, like in eating places or at markets. However the workers at my lodge did converse English.

I used my Hilton Diamond standing with a mixture of factors and cash to pay for my lodge, Hilton Shanghai Metropolis Middle. It was possibility for race weekend, providing five-star facilities and a improbable buffet breakfast at a really reasonably priced worth.

The world round my lodge, and mainly in all places I walked within the metropolis, felt very secure. I had no points strolling round both on my own or with buddies, even late at evening. The one notice of warning could be to be looking out for electrical mopeds driving on the sidewalks. The riders usually flip off their lights at evening to avoid wasting their battery, and since they’re electrical, they’ll simply sneak up on you and fly previous virtually silently.

We ate at some tasty and enjoyable eating places, like Haidilao (hotpot) and Japanese BBQ (grill on the desk). The workers had been pleasant and the costs for each meals and drinks had been very affordable by world requirements. The ordering course of generally is a bit daunting for non-Chinese language audio system, however translation apps and hand gestures (pointing on the menu) are useful! All of the native individuals I interacted with over the weekend had been welcoming, pleasant and useful, even when there was typically a language barrier. Having a pal who spoke Mandarin was useful, however not all the time – some locals spoke a distinct dialect that he didn’t perceive!

Closing Ideas

I completely liked visiting Shanghai, and I can’t wait to return. I’d love to go to the race once more or see extra of China. The meals was tasty, costs had been affordable and the entire metropolis felt very futuristic and tech-forward. As a race weekend, it’s one of many most cost-effective on the calendar. The circuit may be very nicely linked through the metro and the trackside views are nice. I’m glad the race lastly returned after the pandemic. The native fanbase for Method 1 in China is big, and this nation deserves to have a race.