Roll up, roll up and feast your eyes on a coterie of freaks whose bizarre natures will make you gape in wonder and revulsion. No, we're not talking about the latest series of America's Got Talent, but rather a new gallery in town that takes the spirit of late-19th century curiosity exhibitions to bring you a taste of the weird and wonderful. The Shanghai Believe It Or Not Exhibition Gallery on Binjiang Avenue, Pudong New Area, presents unusual exhibits collected from all over the world.

Cartoon origins

Covering more than 1,000 square meters, the gallery takes its title from a series of newspaper cartoons and films by American cartoonist Robert Ripley, who collected unusual tales and facts through his world travels in the early 20th century.

Born in 1890 in the US, Ripley became famous after he was hired by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who distributed Ripley's Believe It Or Not series through his network of papers. Ripley then traveled the world to collect material for his cartoons, visiting 198 countries over 35 years.

Disorienting experience

The museum is split into two main sections, the exhibition gallery and the interactive section.

On entering the exhibition gallery, visitors are faced with sculptures and pictures depicting humans performing bizarre feats, such as a man who can fit a can of soda in his mouth, a man whose lips can touch his nose, and a woman who can wind her tongue into the shape of a flower - all based on real people and their bizarre abilities, according to the manager of the gallery surnamed Zhang. The gallery encourages visitors to attempt to recreate the feats, and those who are successful will be awarded a prize.

Further on is a section showcasing optical illusions and other ways in which the senses can be fooled, and even exhibits that aim to give you a fright.

One experience that should not be missed is the Black Hole - a rotating tunnel with a fixed iron walkway running through it, which disorientates visitors to the point that they can't walk in a straight line, despite their efforts.

Also, be sure to check out Magic Mirror Maze, which tricks you with reflective surfaces, surprising corners and dead ends to the point that you'd be advised to use your hands to feel your way out.

The Magic Mirror Maze leads to the Magic Fun House, which boasts 14 huge stereographs, or 3-D pictures, that allow visitors to pose for pictures and appear as if they are within the scenes depicted.

"Nowadays, tourists are no longer merely satisfied with watching exhibitions, they have a strong desire to participate themselves," said Zhang. All the stereographs were painted by South Korean artists and look like real objects, Zhang said.

For instance, one allows visitors to pretend they are leaping over a deep chasm, another that they are about to be deluged by a flood of money, and another that gives you the appearance of having huge angelic wings.

Opening hours: 8 am to 10:30 pm (Monday to Thursday), 8 am to 11 pm (Friday to Sunday)

Address: 2789 Binjiang Avenue

滨江大道2789号

Tickets: 40 yuan

Call 5888-6000 for details