Plants of the Americas Show: Ancient Civilizations and Botanical Displays
The lost worlds of the ancient Americas are coming to Shanghai!
From July 9 this year to November 2027, Shanghai Expo Culture Park's greenhouse will host the "Realm of the World Tree: Agave and its friends" Plants of the Americas Show, a sprawling exhibition of more than 300 plant species from across the Americas, from towering agaves to silk floss and trumpet trees.
Inspired by the Aztec, Maya, and Inca civilizations, the show blends lush botanical displays with live performances, themed markets, and interactive events, presented alongside the Shanghai Museum's major exhibition on ancient American civilizations.
Step into the Aztec world
Hall 1 immerses visitors in a sun-baked landscape of stone and cactus. A colossal Olmec head, known as the "mother of Mesoamerican civilizations," greets visitors at the entrance, setting the stage for a journey through ancient America.
Deeper inside, a cactus forest hides five Aztec deity totem poles, symbolizing the civilization's deep reverence for nature and the cosmos.
At the heart of the hall, "The Life Journey of Agave" showcases over 30 rare agave species, including varieties used in traditional spirits, alongside an immersive display of ancient brewing techniques. Visitors can sample agave spirits on site or take home specialty bottles.
A rainforest of Maya wonders
Hall 2 transports guests to a Maya rainforest, anchored by the towering World Tree. Maya glyphs suspended in midair link heaven, earth, and humanity, while two distinct experiences branch from the center: a rainforest trail filled with mythical beasts and deity statues for photo-worthy encounters with rain gods and corn gods, and an underwater treasure sequence following a "time capsule" narrative that recreates sacred cenote rain rituals.
The journey culminates at the Feathered Serpent pyramid, a towering symbol of Maya civilization, surrounded by dozens of tropical American plants, from cocoa trees to frangipani, creating a sense of lush abundance.
Highland rituals of the Inca
Hall 3 displays the world of the Inca. Llama plant sculptures in traditional Andean attire greet visitors among flowering columns, while a floating Machu Picchu rises above a water stage, allowing exploration of the ethereal lost city.
In the valley below, Nazca-style monkey totems and trees adorned with Inca textile patterns trace the arc of a millennia-old civilization. Golden chambers, rope bridges, and three sacred Inca flowers and trees evoke the ritual life and vitality of the highlands.
Immersive performances and markets
Throughout the exhibition, live American-themed performances will thread through all three halls. Performers in traditional costumes will move from desert to rainforest to canyon, bringing interactive scenes to life. Visitors will encounter mysterious Maya priests, exuberant musicians, and spirited tribal warriors, immersing themselves in the vibrant energy of the Americas.
Seasonal markets will celebrate American flavors, from festive cuisine to chili culture, while an exclusive line of themed merchandise – including fridge magnets, plush toys, and plant-inspired collectibles – will offer visitors a chance to take home a piece of this immersive, romantic journey through the civilizations of the Americas.
If you go:
Date: July 9, 2026-November 2027
Venue: Shanghai Greenhouse, Shanghai Expo Culture Park 上海世博文化公园温室花园
Address: 199 Jiming Rd, Pudong New Area 浦东新区济明路199号
Ticket Information:
General Admission
- Weekdays: 98 yuan
- Weekends & Public Holidays: 128 yuan
- 50% off for children, students, and seniors
Early-Bird Tickets
- 68 yuan per ticket
- Available from 10am on June 5, 2026, while supplies last
- Valid from July 9 to December 31, 2026
Ticket Purchase
- Available through the Shanghai Expo Culture Park official WeChat Mini Program
