Having over 90 years history, Shanghai Big World Game Center was established by businessman Huang Chujiu in 1917. The "Big World" had once been the most attractive entertainment venue for Shanghai people during the prewar times. There were many small stages for performing lots kind of traditional dramas, Chinese and Western dances and stunning acrobatics. In the center of the playground, an airship would fly around the scene. Tourists could spend one whole day in the game center as there are cinemas, shopping malls, snack stalls and restaurants were facilitated. Shanghai Big World Game Center represented the prosperous entertainment scene during 1920s and 30s.

Later, due to Huang Jinrong, the notorious Shanghai triad leader, forcibly acquisition of the game center, the good reputation of it was gradually declining among the public. Fortunately after China's liberation in 1949, Shanghai Big World Game Center has been changed to a recreational place serving the mass public, but the performances of traditional dramas and acrobatics were maintained. It was greatly welcomed by locals and tourists because the game center provided a lot of entertainment programs for the general public.

The architecture of Shanghai Big World Game Center is very symbolic. There is building having 12 columns to support the levels with hexagonal steeple of maize color. The main complex has three 4-floor buildings constructed very closely together, with two buildings as auxiliary architecture.

Shanghai Big World Game Center consists of four sections : Play World, Exposition World, Rodeo World and Gourmet World nowadays. The Rodeo World's Big World Arena and Guinness Book of Records Arena, which have been introduced in early 1990s, attract many stunt masters from around the world, their consummated feats have set many "firsts". The multicultural entertainment programs and the fashionable recreational facilities here attracted many tourists at home and abroad every year.