The folk songs and tunes people used to sing in the fields have developed into Huagu Opera, which has undergone localization in Shanghai and evolved from two-character playlet, same-scene playlet, on-screen improvised playlet, Shanghai tune, to Bentan Opera – now Shanghai's iconic local opera. Baoshan is not only one of the birthplaces of Shanghai Opera, but also played a pivotal role in the Opera development. Ding Wan'e, who was born in Baoshan, founded the "Wan'e Children's Shanghai Opera Class", which cultivated performers who later became smash hits, including Ding Shi'e, Yang Feifei, Wang Xiuying, and Xiao Aiqin. Baoshan Shanghai Opera Troupe, the predecessor of Baoshan Shanghai Opera Art Inheritance Center, has enjoyed a long-term reputation in Shanghai, Jiangsu province, and Zhejiang province.

Played in Shanghai dialect and with unique Shanghai local tunes, Shanghai opera is rich in regional flavor and diverse in genres, boasting countless repertoires. Shanghai Opera in Baoshan has its unique highlights: School of Yang represented by Yang Feifei, Chun represented by Zhao Chunfang, and Hua represented by Hua Wen are not only well-known by the local audiences, but also widely received. More than 150 repertoires such as "The Lady of the Camellias", "Prostitute's Tears", "A Mother and Slave", "Oriental Women", "Eastern Rainbow", "Baohua Spring and Autumn" and "A Woman Mountain Porter" recorded the splendor of Baoshan Shanghai Opera in different periods and left a profound impact on the audiences.