Shanghai Grand Opera House opens with fan-shaped staircase

Shanghai Grand Opera House, designed by Norwegian firm Snohetta, opened to the public on October 17 on the banks of the Huangpu River. Spanning about 1.6 million sq ft, it is framed as an accessible urban park. Its exterior double-helix staircase resembles an unfurled hand fan and leads visitors up to a rooftop with river views.