Shanghai Activities

Shanghai is a hub of activity for youngsters. There are many manmade attractions such as water and theme parks as well as a zoo, aquarium and museums. There are also a number of city parks where kids can have a run around and expel any excess energy that may be left over.

Aquaria 21
This impressive aquarium features a touch pool with crabs, starfish and urchins, a main tank housing seahorses, tuna, turtles, rays and sharks, and an arena of penguins from Peru and Chile. It is possible to take a journey through a series of aquatic environments ranging from the Amazon River to Antarctica.
Phone: +86 2152 818 888

Shanghai Zoo
This is one of the best zoos in the whole of the country. Popular attractions include rare Chinese birds, pandas, crocodiles and the Southern China tiger, also known as the Amoy tiger. Website: www.shanghaizoo.cn

Jin Jiang Amusement Park
This is Shanghai's most extensive and modern amusement park. You will find a number of rides which are guaranteed to thrill all who have a go. You will find a playground for younger children and a waterland fun park for older kids.
Phone: +86 2154 204 956

Shanghai Discovery Children's Museum
This museum focuses on 2 to 10 year olds, offering interactive exhibits and educational experiences in several areas including science and nature, drama and fantasy, practical life and arts and crafts. It is possible to run your own radio station, learn about the body’s ability to create electricity and make a collage. 
Phone: +86 2156 880 844; website: www.shanghaidiscovery.org

Shanghai is one of China’s cultural centres and will not fail to impress even the most dedicated culture buff. The city boasts a mix of Buddhist temples and Catholic cathedrals as well as museums and art galleries.

Bund Museum
The famous white and red watch tower has held been observing the weather and Huangpu River since 1884. The base of the tower, built in 1865, is now home to the Bund Museum. Photos along the walls offer a glimpse at some of the Bund's most famous buildings, both past and present.

Chen Xiang Ge Temple
This stunning temple can be found in the Old City and is a must-see on any visit to Shanghai. You will be given free incense when you enter the temple and with this, you can make an offering to Buddha. Built in 1600 by the same man who built Yu Garden, the temple was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. It was rebuilt in the 1990s and is now a monastery and nunnery. On a peaceful day, you will be able to hear the women's chants rising from the halls around the main courtyard.
Phone: +86 2163 200 400

Shanghai Art Museum
This impressive art facility boasts 12 exhibition halls on five floors showcasing a range of modern and traditional fine art. Visitors can take part in sketching and painting lessons as well as art lectures. A gift shop can be found on the first floor offering a range of prints, t-shirts and other memorabilia. Phone: +86 21 6327 2829; website: www.sh-artmuseum.org.cn.

Shanghai Museum
This museum boasts over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art as well as a number of archaeological finds. Permanent exhibits include bronzes, ceramics and paintings as well as a library boasting over 20,000 books. There is a gift shop on the first floor, a non-smoking teahouse and several antique stalls. The building is an attraction itself, resembling an ancient tripod when viewed sideways. Phone: +86 2163 720 276.

She Shan Cathedral
This is one of the best European-style churches in the city. Situated on the western peak of She Shan (She Mountain), the cathedral was originally built by the Jesuits in 1866 and was known as the Holy Mother Cathedral. It was rebuilt in 1925 and came to be known as the Basilica of Notre Dame. One of the most spectacular sights is the enormous brick bell tower, on top of which stands a bronze Madonna and Child statue (the original was destroyed in the Cultural Revolution). Catholic pilgrims from neighbouring areas arrive here every Sunday to worship. En route up to the cathedral, you will find a number of shrines.

There is a famous saying in Shanghai: ‘blessed are those born in Shanghai as they have the most chances to taste delicious food'. This phrase sums up the dining scene in the city. An abundance of restaurants line the streets offering local Cantonese cuisine, international fare and other Chinese delicacies. The local cuisine is unique in that it blends many of the top Chinese cuisines with international styles, making completely new dishes.

While Cantonese cooking is popular in Shanghai, the city names its cuisine Ben Bang, which literally means 'local' and makes great use of fresh fish and vegetables. While the two styles are very similar, the local Shanghai dishes are more strongly flavoured. Xiang you shan hu (fried eel) and ba bao la jiang (known also as eight auspicious pepper sauce and comprising shrimps, peanuts, pork, bamboo shoots, chicken and tripe) are the two most popular dishes.

Xie ke huang pancakes are crispy on the outside and filled with green onion, pork, sugar and bean paste. Fried stuffed buns are indigenous to Shanghai. They are a thin wrap covering meat and spices. In addition to these snacks, gaoqiao muffins, glutinous rice dumplings, pear paste candy and five-spiced beans are all worth trying.

If you are in Shanghai in the summer months, you will find that cold noodles are popular, while yangchun noodles are popular with the locals year-round. If you want to sample some true local cuisine, the best places to head are Yunnan South, Huanghe and Zhapu roads. All three roads are lined with local eateries.

Shanghai is hailed as being the ‘Oriental Paris’ and offers an abundance of designer outlets, high street stores and trendy one-off boutiques. The shopping opportunities have become an important part of Shanghai’s tourist industry and see many people travelling to this thriving city to see what goods they can pick up.

Those not looking for fashion bargains will find a number of shops selling souvenirs and handicrafts. Most souvenir shopping can be achieved around Yu Garden, where you will find items such as chopsticks, painted bottles, silk, pearls and teapots, while at Xiangyang Market you’ll find watches, bags, shoes and clothes. The clothing sold here is made for export, so you're more likely to find items that fit as opposed to those in the department stores which cater for Asian sizes.

While most prices are fixed at government-owned stores and shopping centres, never accept the first price you are given at markets and smaller stores. Bargaining is a way of life in Shanghai. Decide what your final price is and then begin negotiations at 15 to 25 per cent of the asking price. If the vendor doesn’t budge, try walking away, the vendor will undoubtedly call you back and if they don’t, you’re sure to find the same item somewhere else.

Most visitors to Shanghai do not arrive with the intention of pursuing outdoor recreation, but for those looking to partake in some activity, there are plenty of options available. The city’s parks provide an ideal location for a range of activities, while golf courses, hotels and sports arenas provide even more opportunities.

Fitness Centres
Many of the city’s hotels offer the use of their fitness centre free of charge for their guests. You will find exercise machines, weights, aerobic and workout areas, swimming pools and tennis and squash courts. It is possible to use some hotels' fitness facilities even if you are not staying there, although fees are usually applicable.

Golf and Bowling
These are two of the most popular recreational sports in Shanghai, pursued by locals, foreign residents and overseas visitors. There are some excellent golf courses across the city, while bowling greens can be found in many of the city’s parks.

Parks
Shanghai is home to an abundance of parks and gardens that lend themselves to all sorts of outdoor pursuits. You will see early morning runners, dog walkers, those taking a stroll and people practicing tai chi. Fuxing Park is a European-style park, home to lush gardens and big open spaces, where you will often see people flying kites and picnicking.

Spectator sports
If you would rather watch other people tire themselves out than get active yourself, head to one of the sporting arenas where you will be able to sit and watch games of badminton, basketball or football. For something special, head to the Formula One track and catch a race. For athletic lovers, Shanghai plays host to its own annual international marathon, the Toray Cup. Held in November, the race attracts thousands of spectators every year.