What age is the Shanghai recommended for?

This set is recommended for ages 12+.

⚠ RETIRING SOON

🏛 Architecture

Set #21068

Shanghai

Shanghai is a stunning addition to the Architecture series.

Before you buy

Who it's for: Ages 12+ · Intermediate build Perfect for teens and adults who appreciate architectural models and enjoy a moderately challenging build.
Build: 597 pieces · about 4.5 hours Build time is an estimate.
Price: $59.99 list price · 10.0¢ per piece
Availability: Past its expected exit (Dec 31, 2025)

★★★★☆ 4.1 AI-generated review score, not a customer rating

Fans appreciate the set's accurate representation of Shanghai's skyline and its intricate details, but some find the color palette somewhat muted and the build experience less engaging than other Architecture sets.

$59.99

Best Price

$149.99

📝 Our Take

AI-assisted editorial summary, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

Shanghai is a stunning addition to the Architecture series. Capturing the essence of this vibrant city, the set features iconic landmarks and a harmonious blend of modern and traditional architecture, making it a beautiful display piece.

This set is perfect for architecture enthusiasts and LEGO collectors. The build offers a detailed and engaging experience, ideal for those who appreciate intricate models and want to showcase a piece of Shanghai's skyline.

Skip this if you prefer play-focused sets or large-scale models. If you're after something more interactive, consider the LEGO City sets, or for a grander architectural build, explore other larger Architecture sets.

✨ New

Ask BlockTalk about this set

AI assistant with full set data

BlockTalk

Hi! I'm BlockTalk, your LEGO expert. Ask me anything about the Shanghai - building tips, investment potential, comparisons, or anything else!

Try asking:

How does this set compare to other Architecture series sets in terms of building techniques? What are the most iconic landmarks included in the Shanghai skyline? Is this set a good value for the piece count and display appeal? What is the best way to display this set to highlight its details?

🧱 Building Experience

AI-assisted build estimate, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

🧩

597

Pieces

⏱

4.5h

Estimated Build Time

📊

Intermediate

Difficulty

👤

12+

Ages

Build Highlights:

Intricate detailing of Shanghai's iconic buildings
Creative use of jumper plates to achieve microscale accuracy
Incorporation of various grille tiles for architectural texture
Sturdy construction for stable display

📈 Investment Analysis

AI-assisted investment analysis, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

→ Price stable

Investment Grade

⏳ Retiring soon

The Shanghai Architecture set has decent investment potential. As part of the popular Architecture series, it benefits from a dedicated collector base. The set's reasonable piece count and price point make it accessible, potentially leading to steady appreciation over time. However, its availability and lack of exclusive elements might limit significant value spikes. The stable price trend suggests it's a safe, if not spectacular, investment. Architecture sets generally hold their value well, but this one is unlikely to be a top performer.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

⚖ Compare Similar Sets

Paris

Architecture • 649 pcs

$49.99

Tokyo

Architecture • 547 pcs

$59.99

London

Architecture • 468 pcs

$39.99

This set offers a balanced architectural experience compared to other sets in the theme. While smaller than sets like the Tokyo or London skylines, it provides a more focused representation of Shanghai's unique character. For those seeking a more expansive build, the larger skylines might be preferable, but this set stands out for its detailed microscale design and manageable size.

📦 Parts Inventory

Official piece count: 597
Parts cataloged in this inventory: 98 unique parts, 597 pieces

Missing a piece? Check this set piece by piece, with look-alike colors flagged and element IDs for replacements.

Technic Pin Conne...

Part #: 10197 1× Dark Bluish Gray

Bar Holder with Clip

Part #: 11090 3× Dark Bluish Gray

Tile Special 2 x ...

Part #: 11203 2× Medium Blue

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 11211 1× Tan

Plate Round 6 x 6...

Part #: 11213 1× Light Bluish Gray

Brick Curved 2 x ...

Part #: 11477 1× Light Bluish Gray

Part #: 15573 6× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 15573 62× Medium Blue

Technic Pin Conne...

Part #: 18654 3× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate Special Rou...

Part #: 18674 1× White

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2412b 20× White

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2412b 8× Tan

Plate 2 x 2 Corner

Part #: 2420 1× Light Bluish Gray

Brick Curved Inve...

Part #: 24201 2× Light Bluish Gray

Wedge Plate 2 x 2...

Part #: 24299 1× Light Bluish Gray

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 3× Tan

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 1× Black

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 6× Dark Bluish Gray

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 11× Trans-Light Blue

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 2× Medium Blue

Plate 2 x 12

Part #: 2445 3× Black

Tile Round 1 x 1 ...

Part #: 25269 4× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 2540 4× Yellow

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 2540 1× Light Bluish Gray

Tile 2 x 3

Part #: 26603 6× Medium Blue

Tile 2 x 3

Part #: 26603 4× Dark Bluish Gray

Technic Disc 3 x 3

Part #: 2723 1× Light Bluish Gray

Tile 4 x 4 Curved...

Part #: 27507 4× Light Bluish Gray

Tile 2 x 2 Curved...

Part #: 27925 2× Light Bluish Gray

Technic Pin Conne...

Part #: 27940 1× Dark Bluish Gray

Minifig Head [Pla...

Part #: 28621 1× Light Bluish Gray

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 2877 8× Tan

Lever Small Base ...

Part #: 298c02 1× Red

Brick 1 x 1

Part #: 3005 2× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 1× Green

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 2× Black

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 1× Tan

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 3× Black

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 3× Tan

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 2× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 2× Black

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 3× Black

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 7× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 1× Medium Blue

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 3× Trans-Light Blue

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 4× Green

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 6× Tan

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 8× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 7× Black

Plate 4 x 6

Part #: 3032 2× Green

Plate 2 x 8

Part #: 3034 1× Light Bluish Gray

Bar 4L (Lightsabe...

Part #: 30374 3× White

Plate Round Corne...

Part #: 30565 1× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate Round Corne...

Part #: 30565 1× Black

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 30586 1× Light Bluish Gray

Brick Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 3062b 25× Tan

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 3× Medium Blue

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 8× Light Bluish Gray

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 7× Dark Bluish Gray

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 1× Trans-Brown

Tile 1 x 1 with G...

Part #: 3070b 2× Tan

Tile 1 x 1 with G...

Part #: 3070b 3× Light Bluish Gray

Technic Pin 3/4

Part #: 32002 2× Tan

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 32028 4× Light Bluish Gray

Technic Axle and ...

Part #: 32034 1× White

Technic Axle 2 No...

Part #: 32062 1× Red

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 32064a 1× Black

Technic Bush 1/2 ...

Part #: 32123b 4× Yellow

Axle Hose, Soft 11L

Part #: 32199 2× Black

Axle Hose, Soft 16L

Part #: 32202 2× Black

Technic Beam 3 x ...

Part #: 32249 7× Light Bluish Gray

Technic Beam 3 x ...

Part #: 32249 50× Dark Bluish Gray

Brick Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 3262 1× Tan

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 34103 4× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 34103 32× Medium Blue

Part #: 3623 4× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 1 x 3

Part #: 3623 1× Green

Plate 1 x 3

Part #: 3623 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 1× Green

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 2× Black

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 4× Medium Blue

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 1× Light Bluish Gray

Technic Axle 4

Part #: 3705 2× Black

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 3× Black

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 3× Light Bluish Gray

Part #: 3795 2× Black

Tile 1 x 8 with G...

Part #: 4162 1× Medium Blue

Tile 1 x 8 with G...

Part #: 4162 1× Black

Tile 1 x 8 with '...

Part #: 4162pr0058 1× Black

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 41740 4× Black

Wedge Plate 4 x 2...

Part #: 41769 1× Medium Blue

Wedge Plate 4 x 2...

Part #: 41770 1× Medium Blue

Plate 2 x 16

Part #: 4282 2× Medium Blue

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 4304 1× Tan

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 4304 3× Black

Technic Axle Pin ...

Part #: 43093 2× Blue

Dish 3 x 3 Invert...

Part #: 43898 3× Light Bluish Gray

Dish 3 x 3 Invert...

Part #: 43898 5× Magenta

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4510 4× Light Bluish Gray

Technic Axle 3

Part #: 4519 1× Light Bluish Gray

Pneumatic T-Piece...

Part #: 4697b 1× Light Bluish Gray

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 4733 4× White

Dish 2 x 2 Invert...

Part #: 4740 1× White

Dish 2 x 2 Invert...

Part #: 4740 2× Light Bluish Gray

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 47905 4× Tan

Technic Tooth 1 x...

Part #: 48267 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Brick Sloped 30° ...

Part #: 54200 1× Light Bluish Gray

Brick Sloped 30° ...

Part #: 54200 3× Black

Technic Axle Conn...

Part #: 59443 3× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Round Corne...

Part #: 6003 1× Green

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 60478 2× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 1 x 12

Part #: 60479 1× Black

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 60483 1× Dark Bluish Gray

Brick Curved 2 x ...

Part #: 6081 1× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 60897 6× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 60897 4× Black

Brick Curved 1 x ...

Part #: 6091 1× Light Bluish Gray

Technic Pin with ...

Part #: 61332 3× Black

Part #: 62462 7× White

Tile 1 x 3

Part #: 63864 4× Dark Bluish Gray

Tile 1 x 3

Part #: 63864 2× Light Bluish Gray

Bar 6L with Stop ...

Part #: 63965 2× Light Bluish Gray

Equipment Telesco...

Part #: 64644 2× Tan

Technic Axle and ...

Part #: 6536 2× Light Bluish Gray

Tile 1 x 6 with G...

Part #: 6636 3× Black

Tile 1 x 6 with G...

Part #: 6636 3× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 72132 2× Black

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 72132 2× Green

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 85861 3× Black

Tile 2 x 4 with G...

Part #: 87079 4× Medium Blue

Bar 3L

Part #: 87994 7× Reddish Brown

Brick and Axle Se...

Part #: 96874 1× Orange

Tile Round 1 x 1

Part #: 98138 7× Tan

Bracket 1 x 2 - 1...

Part #: 99780 1× Light Bluish Gray

This set features a solid collection of Medium Blue and Light Bluish Gray pieces, useful for MOC builders, particularly the abundant jumper plates. The various grille tiles also add texture and detail to architectural models.

🛒 Where to Buy

LEGO

✓ In Stock

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💎 Notable Parts

Medium Blue Plate Special 1 x 2 with 1 Stud with Groove and Inside Stud Holder (Jumper) (62x) $6.20

Dark Bluish Gray Technic Beam 3 x 3 L-Shape with Quarter Ellipse Thin (50x) $5.00

Medium Blue Plate Special 1 x 3 with 2 Studs with Groove and Inside Stud Holder (Jumper) (32x) $4.80

Tan Brick Round 1 x 1 Open Stud (25x) $2.50

White Tile Special 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove (20x) $2.00

Est. BrickLink Part Value

$20.50

💡 MOC Potential

🏙 Expand the Shanghai skyline with custom building designs

🏛 Create a fictional architectural structure using the set's pieces

🏙 Rebuild into a different city skyline using similar techniques

Community Insights

Real opinions from Reddit and YouTube

What Reddit Says

No Reddit discussions found for this set.

What YouTubers Say

Based on 7 videos

3.0 /5

Mixed

14% positive

BlockTalk AI

Overall sentiment towards LEGO Architecture Shanghai (21039) is mixed. While Legoland Shanghai receives positive attention for its immersive experience as highlighted by Glopen, other reviews like MrShark's focus on different Architecture sets. DuckBricks offers a vintage perspective with a Shanghai-themed LEGO set review, contributing to the mixed overall sentiment.

Is Legoland Shanghai REALLY Worth a visit? What's inside?

Glopen • 13.1K views Review

NOVÉ LEGO Architecture - Pohádkový Zámek Neuschwanstein! 🏰

MrShark • 8.9K views Review

LEGO 3050 Shanghai Surprise IN Shanghai!

DuckBricks • 2.3K views Review

Community Sentiment

Based on 7 YouTube reviews

Not enough Reddit data

YouTube

3.0 /5

Mixed

14% positive

Positive

Mixed

Critical

BlockTalk AI Analysis

What the Community Says

3 YouTube reviews

BlockTalk AI Summary

Glopen's review of Legoland Shanghai showcases the park's fairy tale atmosphere. Other reviewers focus on related LEGO Architecture sets, like MrShark featuring the Neuschwanstein Castle, and DuckBricks reviewing a vintage Shanghai-themed LEGO set, contributing diverse perspectives.