Festival

Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival

Tea lovers and tea producers make their way to Shanghai for this annual festival which lasts one whole week. China is renowned for tea thought to be excellent not just to satisfy one's thirst but as a cure for a number of diseases. Shennongshi an ancient chief about 5000 years ago, went about collecting leaves and plants of various varieties as he was very interested in medicine. It is rumored that during one such search he was poisoned a number of times and was saved by the tea leaves he had gathered which worked as an antidote. Since then tea has earned an important place in China's culture

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Overview & visitor information

Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival

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Chinese New Year & Spring Festival

Activity

This event occurs annually and the time is not fixed as it is planned on the basis of the lunar calendar. This is the most important in the traditional Chinese holidays and an auspicious time for the Chinese people. Loved ones are visited and special food is cooked and eaten. Red is the predominant color as is evident from the red lanterns seen hanging everywhere. Door frames are also painted red and gold. This is said to ward off evil spirits. Children are given gift money wrapped in red envelopes. Fireworks displays all over the city are a regular feature of the festivities. Merrymaking in the form of dancing also takes place, the most popular being the lion and the dragon dance. Celebrations are most intense at Longhua temple which is a scene of frenzied activity and vibrancy.

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Lantern Festival

Activity

Fifteen days after the Chinese New Year, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month the lantern festival is celebrated. It celebrates the joy of the warmth of the sun after a long and cold winter and marks the end of the New Year celebrations. Beautiful exotic lanterns are made which are of unusual shapes and designs. They are painted in bold and bright colors representing happiness and prosperity. The residents of Shanghai walk the streets in a parade with these beautiful lamps. The well lit up streets present a stunning view. Men with painted faces are also part of the parade.

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Tomb Sweeping Day

Activity

This is an important event that occurs annually. It is a time for people to pay their respects to their ancestors who have passed away. Their graves are visited and washed clean. Some indulge in burning ghost money thought to be needed by their dead loved ones in the afterlife.

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Temple Fair

Activity

The famous Longhua Pagoda situated in grounds of the Longhua Park is the venue for this annual event. The ancient temple ground is surrounded by beautiful peach blossoms. This is a lovely time to visit the temple as hundreds of Shanghai's residents flock to the temple to pray and celebrate. Stalls selling traditional Chinese food, art, and crafts are set up. In the evening, the temple is lit up. The day of this event varies depending on the lunar calendar.

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Dragon Boat Festival

Activity

This annual festival honors and celebrates the Chinese hero Qu Yuan who stood up against the emperor and drowned himself to protest the corruption of the Chinese royals. Dragon boat races take place whilst people eat delicacies like rice enveloped by bamboo leaves.

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Shanghai Beer Festival

Activity

The bund is the location of this annual festival lasting well into July. Whilst locals flock to this festival it is mostly a large number of expats who love to visit the Bund at this time of the year to enjoy cheap beer. The atmosphere is extremely lively and fun filled.

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Shanghai International Ballet Competition

Activity

This stupendous competition has participants from more than 14 countries worldwide. It showcases works by international choreographers, classical ballets and newer works using classical technique and Chinese folk dance to tell Chinese folk stories. Prizes are given to deserving participants, the highest prize in the competition being the Great China Prize, estimated to be worth 12,000 US dollars!

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SH Contemporary

Building

This four day long festival held every September is anxiously awaited for by Shanghai's art lovers and enthusiasts. The venue is the Shanghai Exhibition Center. Numerous artists display their contemporary art over here.

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Mid Autumn Festival

Activity

This is also known as the moon festival and is an annual event. It is a time for people to get together with their friends and families and enjoy their company whilst munching on delicious moon cakes. These moon cakes have a variety of fillings, such as egg, beef, red beans, lotus paste etc.

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Shanghai Tourism Festival

Activity

This three week long festival takes place annually across the city of Shanghai. One highlight of this festival is the shopping festival which also takes place during this time. Beginning in the middle of September it lasts till the first week of October.

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What to Do with Kids in Tow

Activity

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium This fantastic aquarium showcases underwater creatures from around the globe; sharks, jelly fish, sea lions, dolphins, otters and different varieties of fish are all on exhibit here. The observation tunnel is brilliant and all that separates the visitor from these fantastic sea creatures is glass.

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Jinmao Tower

Tower

This pagoda is the 5th tallest building in the world. On the 88th floor is an observation deck which provides the most brilliant views of the city of Shanghai. This is one of the most renowned architectural sites known for its fusion of eastern and western architectural styles.

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Oriental Pearl Tower

Tower

This has to be one of the most stunning edifices in all of Shanghai. Its claim to fame is that it is the tallest tower in all of Asia standing at over 1500 feet off the ground. The edifice comprises of three spheres and the architecture is incredibly modern and futuristic. Visit the observation decks to get a wonderful view of the city and visit the Shanghai History Museum. This museum showcases the history of this city especially life under colonization.

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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Aquarium

This fantastic aquarium showcases underwater creatures from around the globe- sharks, jelly fish, sea lions, dolphins, otters and different varieties of fish are all on exhibit here. The observation tunnel is brilliant and all that separates the visitor from these fantastic sea creatures is glass.

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Shanghai Science & Technology Museum

Museum

This is an interesting museum and popular amongst tourists and locals alike. This will make for a fantastic outing for both children and adults. The concept behind this is for visitors to engage in and interact with the exhibits. This is a good way to learn about the earth and its resources especially via simulations.

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Century Park

Park

This park is popular amongst locals who come here to while the weekend away. It is fast becoming a tourist hot spot as well. The park comprises of a garden, a man made beach, a mini-golf course, a bird protection area and a lake where fishing and boating is allowed.

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Longhua Martyrs Cemetery

Cemetery

This cemetery is worth a visit as it served as the venue of the execution of many communists in the 1920s prior to the Chinese Revolution and Communist era. These individuals were persecuted, tortured and ultimately killed on these premises. The tunnel via which the execution area is arrived at is eerie and the place still retains a chilly ambience.

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St. Ignatius' Cathedral [ Tianzhutang]

Churches

This cathedral is worth stopping over at as it will give visitors a good idea of the history of Shanghai and the phase particularly during which it underwent European colonization. The cathedral dates back to 1910 and was opened by the Jesuits. Nearby is the grave of an official belonging to the Ming Dynasty who had converted to Catholicism when Jesuit missionaries had visited China during the 16th Century. The architecture is distinctly European with gargoyles, stained glass and renderings of the Last Supper adorning the interiors.

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Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts

Museum

This museum has a spectacular interior. The architecture is distinctly French with gleaming marble floors and palatial scale staircases, wooden beams and stained glass windows. On display are various intricate and lovely pieces of wood carving, ivory carvings as well as creations composed of jade and bamboo. In addition there are traditional lanterns, dresses, tapestries, fans and snuff boxes on display.

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Longhua Temple

Temple

This temple dates back to the Song Dynasty. This is a very important temple and the largest of its kind in Shanghai. The four halls contain statues of Buddha, his disciples and other protagonists. Do not miss the over 3 tonne bell which is rung 108 times at New Year's to rid the world of all its problems and diseases.

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Fook Lam Moon

The décor and the furnishings are chic and sophisticated. The place is luxuriant and quality food is to be expected. The sea food dishes are exceptionally good. The shark and shrimps are particularly delicious. Apart from the food, visitors have an amazing view of the Bund to look forward to.

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Danieli's

This is an extremely posh restaurant located in the St. Regis Hotel. The décor and interior are contemporary and elegant. The specialty as is expected of Italian cuisine is the different pastas that are served here. The deserts too are delectable. Customers will not regret eating here.

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La Villa Rouge

This eatery is popular amongst fashionable locals. The interior is beautiful and luxuriant. The dishes divine and at the same time both creative and eccentric. The menu has everything listed on it. The seafood, in particular the cod, caviar and lobster is delicious.

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Wang Boa He

The dishes served here are absolutely divine. Sea food is the specialty, in particular crab, and that too in all forms. A must stop although prices are exorbitant.

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Sichuan Court

This restaurant provides outstanding service and offers a vast array of dishes to choose from. Sichuan Cuisine is at its best here. The seafood, the vegetarian dishes, the beef and the noodles are all to die for.

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Gu Yi

Family-friendly

Busy best describes the ambiance of this restaurant- Chinese and other families love to come here. The food is delicious and there is a diverse range of dishes to choose from. The sea- food and the lamb are both excellent.

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Di Shui Dong

This restaurant offers quality food though the ambience is not too exciting. Dishes listed on the menu are diverse with everything being served from chicken to sea food to lamb to vegetarian delights. The food is spicy.

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1221

'Down to earth' best describes the atmosphere inside this restaurant whose interior is at the same time chic and elegant. Unpretentious delicious food coupled with reasonable prices makes this a stop worth making. Sea food lovers and vegetarians will both be satisfied by the dishes listed on this menu as will meat lovers.

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Ba Guo Bu Yi

Good quality traditional Sichuan dishes are served here which means a lot of spicy delights. The food is delicious and there is a vast array of dishes to choose from.

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Shanghai Uncle

Quality Chinese food is served here. This is arguably the most popular Chinese food joint in Shanghai. The dishes are exceptionally good and there is much to choose from. The interior is simple and without frills. All in all a delectable meal at affordable prices.