1933 Old Millfun Shanghai – How to Visit this Brutalist Labyrinth (2026)!

One of the strangest and most mysterious buildings in Shanghai has to be 1933 Old Millfun (Lao Chang Fang).

This menacing Brutalist building by British architects used to be the municipal slaughterhouse.

But, in a bizarre turn of events, it’s now an industrial creative hub boasting art galleries, restaurants and boutiques.

It’s also a very popular photography location as it contains a creepy maze of winding staircases, aerial walkways, and twisted tunnels.

Here is a complete guide for visiting 1933 Old Millfun Shanghai and important tips for capturing this Gothic labyrinth. 

What is 1933 Old Millfun in Shanghai?

It may surprise you to know that this huge slaughterhouse was constructed by the famous British architect Balfours in 1933.

He designed this labyrinthine abattoir in the Brutalist style edged with Art Nouveau. It was also made with British concrete.

It was laid out in a perfect spider web of ramps, aerial bridges, corridors and staircases to guide the flow of cattle efficiently. 

You do have to question: how could this place, which is mainly outdoors, be an abattoir? 

Well, the 20-inch-thick concrete staircases, levels and corridors act as natural air conditioning.

It was also designed like this to muffle horrible noises and limit the awful smells!

Another interesting fact is that all the windows face west towards Buddha’s holy land to help with the cattle’s spiritual reincarnation. 

To quote Fan Changyu in The Pursuit of Jade: “In this life, be a good pig, and in the next life, be a good person”. I love that show!

A Creative Hub

The abattoir was eventually abandoned and lay empty for many years until 2006. 

It was then decided by the local government that the building would be converted into an industrial creative hub.

That’s right, the screams of slaughter were to be replaced by the lulling sounds of music and people.

It now has many creative spaces that host art galleries, studios, shops and cafés. There are even events held in the old Sky Theatre.

Regardless, the creepy vibes of the Brutalist architecture remain, with many saying that this concrete labyrinth is haunted.

Is 1933 Old Millfun haunted?

This depends on who you ask. No documents report paranormal activity, but lots of locals say it’s rumoured to be filled with ‘dark spirits’.

It used to be a slaughterhouse in Shanghai. So, many people feel it has a creepy, eerie and sinister vibe due to its abattoir roots.

It makes you shudder just thinking about the horrible noises, blood and smells of the past. The fact that we can walk around it today is wild.

Adding to that, the whole place has an austere appearance with the spiralling staircases, steel doors and winding corridors.

People nickname this a Gothic labyrinth due to its dark essence, but there’s nothing really scary about visiting.

These days, it’s only haunted by a mass of influencers and tourists who want to take aesthetic photos and videos. Myself included. 

How to get to 1933 Old Millfun

1933 Old Millfun can be found in the Hongkou district of Shanghai towards the north of the city centre.

This is very close to popular attractions like The Bund, which is just a short taxi or metro ride away.

The closest metro station is Hailun Road Station on lines 4 & 10. Take Exit 2, and then it’s a 10-minute walk to this concrete maze.

I highly recommend downloading a Shanghai travel card through Alipay or ordering a DiDi Taxi (Chinese Uber) to save time.

Opening times and entry fees

1933 Old Millfun is generally open from 9 am to 8 pm for visitors, but the corridors are open 24 hours.

I reckon visiting after dark would add a whole new level of terror I wouldn’t personally want to experience *shudder*. 

It was creepy enough walking around during the day. I felt like I had to keep looking over my shoulder.

The shops, restaurants and cafés here all have different opening hours but typically 10 am to 10 pm.

It’s also completely free to visit 1933 Old Millfun, so it makes a seriously great budget activity in the city.

Arriving at 1933 Shanghai

As soon as you arrive at 1933 Old Millfun, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Gotham City!

The austere Brutalist appearance mixed with Art Nouveau elements definitely piques your interest. 

It’s the last building of its kind in the city. So, I couldn’t wait to head inside and see what this chilling place had to offer. 

Inside 1933 Old Millfun

As soon as you walk inside, you’ll find yourself in a circular atrium made completely of concrete.

As you look up, you’ll start to see the network of staircases and bridges that make up this curious maze.

If you head to the upper floors, this is where you can really see the genius of the layered aerial walkways and twisting corridors. 

You can make your way around the building by using the thick concrete staircases that latch onto each other or by ramps with old cattle grids.

However you choose to venture, be prepared to get lost as this place is a seemingly endless labyrinth! It’s like a spider web holding you hostage. 

You could honestly spend hours here exploring all that this menacing place has to offer. 

You’ll also find yourself constantly looking over your shoulder as this place is the textbook definition of a haunted house.  

Photography tips

The one thing I found a little disappointing at first with 1933 Old Millfun was that you really have to hunt for a long time to find the right angles.

I’ve seen this place online many times, but trying to find the right aesthetic corners in person was a serious challenge.

It really is a labyrinth of concrete to navigate, and it’s easy to get lost within its maze of staircases and have to turn back. 

So, finding the right places takes some patience, and you need to snoop around its many floors and corners to discover them.

Of course, you should always take your time to find your own compositions to photograph this place. 

But it can be a little frustrating or an ‘Instagram vs. Reality’ moment when you first arrive. On first impression, it doesn’t look like it appears online.  

Just persevere with it, keep searching around, and you’ll eventually find angles you can work with. 

Also, as it’s a popular photography location, photoshoots are going on everywhere at all times. So, you may have to work around this. 

Where to eat in 1933 Old Millfun 

This urban maze is a creative hub with lots of studios, art galleries, fashion boutiques, craft stores and cafés on all floors.

There is even a huge domed space called the Sky Theatre that hosts events throughout the year. 

Tourists will love the Starbucks right at the front of the building with a range of iced drinks and sweet treats in the air conditioning. 

Is 1933 Old Millfun Shanghai worth visiting?

Yes, I definitely think that this sinister building is worth your time in Shanghai.

Although I’ve visited many Brutalist buildings in the past, I’ve never encountered anything like this on this scale. 

You could lose yourself for hours wandering around this Gothic labyrinth and never get bored. 

It’s also a paradise for photography, with every corner providing something aesthetically pleasing yet menacing. 

It’s a must-visit if you love dark tourism, obscurity or capturing creepy places. 

When is the best time to visit?

1933 Old Millfun gets crowded throughout the day with visitors, so I would visit either early in the morning on a weekday or later in the evening.

Just before sunset is perfect, as the golden glow, along with the artificial lights that cast shadows, gives this old slaughterhouse a haunting vibe.

I visited around midday, and although it was busy with photographers, I still thought it was manageable. 

How long do you need to visit?

I would give yourself around 1-2 hours for your visit if you’re passionate about photography.

The winding staircases, ramps and mind-bending balcony views are addicting to photograph. 

Everywhere you look, something will catch your eye. There are so many layers to this place to unravel.

Also, this maze does take some time to explore as there are many floors, twists and turns to get lost in.

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