Can you imagine what Shanghai’s nightlife scene is like?

In China, where access to media platforms we interact with daily—like Instagram, YouTube, and, of course, Google—is fundamentally restricted, those of us outside China have very limited opportunities to see what daily life there is really like.

"When I first stepped into this world, it felt like entering a parallel universe—drag performers, subcultures, and queer communities coexisting in ways unimaginable in everyday life.
The more I photographed, the more I realized how these communities struggle with visibility and acceptance." - MI LU

Photographer MI LU from China has been documenting underground club scenes and subcultures in Shanghai through his photography, including cross-dressing performers.
The visual narrative in his photos reveals a romantic, energetic, carnival-like nightlife. However, he also noted that many of the clubs he photographed have since closed due to economic challenges.

At FAR EAST DARKROOM, we wanted to help bring Chinese youth culture to a wider global audience, which is why we offered to publish his zine. Through this zine, we hope you can experience the current nightlife scene in Shanghai and hear the voices of those who live through its nights.

Zine Details

• W148 × H210mm(A5)

• 48 pages

• Published in 2025

• Printed in Japan

• Published by FAR EAST DARKROOM

• ISBN  978-4-911140-05-5