Live Your Best Lives
Shanghai is truly an "entertainment capital" and it is not an exaggeration to describe it as a city of decadence and extravagance. From bars, various film festivals, concerts, various sporting events (such as F1 racing), to a variety of theme parks and theme parks, you can party all night long or just watch a song and dance performance quietly. There are always more choices than decisions.
These bars are primarily located in Wujiaochang, northeast of the city, near universities like Fudan and Tongji. Their defining characteristic is their avant-garde design, avant-garde music, and avant-garde topics. The eccentric wall paintings and inventive inscriptions are often the product of patrons' spontaneous handwriting. They play no pop or soft music; rock music is the only thing playing. Weekend performances often feature international students, topless and enthusiastically tapping away.
Representatives: HardRock (No. 315 Zhengtong Road), Black Box (No. 2069 Siping Road near Guoding Road), etc.
These bars prioritize atmosphere and musicality, equipped with professional-grade audio equipment and the latest music CDs, often featuring band performances. The soft lighting, velvety wall decorations, and gentle music attract discerning music lovers. These bars are often managed by music professionals, some of whom are also music industry insiders or TV and radio program hosts. Examples include CJW Jazz Bar (50th Floor, The Bund Center, 222 Yan'an East Road, near Jiangxi Middle Road), Cotton Club (1428 Huaihai Middle Road, near the intersection of Fuxing Middle Road), etc.
These bars, seeking the warm, casual, and relaxed atmosphere of Western bars, are primarily found in major hotels and commercial streets. High-end commercial bars like Three on the Bund and Nine Heavens (the world's tallest bar on the 87th floor of the Jinmao Tower) have hefty minimum bills, often several hundred yuan. Xintiandi, Hengshan Road, Maoming South Road, Huaihai Road, and Fuxing Park are among the areas with the highest concentrations of commercial bars in Shanghai.
Representatives: M-BOX (No. 1325 Huaihai Middle Road), Dongmei (Building 17, Xintiandi North Lane, No. 181 Taicang Road), etc.
Shanghai boasts numerous theaters and a diverse selection of performances, including operas, plays, traditional Chinese operas, concerts, and concerts by major domestic and international stars. This diverse range of performances reflects the Shanghainese culture's remarkable inclusiveness and capacity for absorption. Furthermore, Shanghai boasts numerous high-end cinemas with luxurious facilities. While the weekday screenings are largely comparable to those elsewhere in the country and ticket prices are high (night shows typically cost 60-80 yuan), they still offer some noteworthy attractions. Every Tuesday, all Shanghai cinemas offer half-price tickets all day, and on Saturday and Sunday mornings, half-price tickets are offered.
Many films hold their premieres in Shanghai, accompanied by fan meetings, book signings, and other promotional activities. Major cinemas also sell merchandise related to the current season's films, such as toys, books, and clothing. The annual Shanghai International Film Festival showcases outstanding films from around the world, so if you're visiting Shanghai during this time, don't miss out on the latest news from the major cinemas.
Shanghai is also one of the main venues for international sporting events, including the NBA Shanghai Station, the F1 International Grand Prix and the International Athletics Golden League.
Shanghai boasts numerous theme parks and museums of varying styles. Children will love the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Madame Tussauds (10th Floor, New World City, 2-68 Nanjing West Road, People's Square Station on Metro Lines 1, 2, and 8), Shanghai Wild Animal Park (178 Nanliu Road, Sanzao Town, Pudong New Area, Nanxin, Zhangnan, and Huixin Lines), Jinjiang Amusement Park (201 Hongmei Road, Jinjiang Amusement Park Station on Line 1), and Happy Valley (888 Linhu Road, Sheshan Town, get off at Sheshan Station on Line 9 and take the Happy Valley shuttle across the street). The Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Library, Shanghai Museum of Glass, and Shanghai Art Museum are great places to enrich your knowledge. Young people will also enjoy barbecues at Gongqing Forest Park and birdwatching at the Dongtan Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Chongming Island. If you happen to catch the rebirth of nature during this time of year, explore the parks to experience the beauty of spring.
Unlike traditional Chinese teahouses, teahouses are typically decorated in a modern and cozy style, more appealing to young people. The candles on the tables, gentle music, and romantic swing chairs create a truly romantic atmosphere. Teahouses are significantly more affordable than bars and Western restaurants, and prices are uniform. Drinks range from classic bubble tea to a variety of milk tea flavors and unlimited refills. The containers vary, and a variety of dining options are also available, creating a truly elegant and enjoyable atmosphere. (Recommended: Baimi Board Game Theme Teahouse, Shop 310, 3rd Floor, Baimi Xiangxie Commercial Street, No. 229 Zhejiang Middle Road, Huangpu District, accessible by Bus Lines 1, 2, 8, and 10 and People's Square, 35 RMB per person; Tianxia Yijia Teahouse, No. 435 Huamu Yinghua Road, Pudong New Area, accessible by Bus 798, Fangchuan Express, and Bus 975, 75 RMB per person).
Suzhou Pingtan, a popular form of pingtan in Shanghai, boasts a history spanning over a century. While it's no longer a popular metropolitan entertainment, it still retains its appeal. One such venue is Yalu Shuchang (315 Shunchang Road), a 91-year-old institution whose popularity has waned.