There's nothing that inspires exploration quite like warm weather. There are enough parties, happy hours, and new restaurants to keep us busy for months – but all that debauchery can take a heavy toll on the almighty wallet. With that in mind, here are some free activities in and around Shanghai that will hopefully leave you with some pink notes when autumn arrives.

1) Visit the Museums
Shanghai is chock full of history of just about every kind and the museums here aren't afraid to flaunt it. The Shanghai Art Museum, which displays rotating exhibits every few months, officially dropped its admission charge this past spring. This, of course, meant floods of people invaded the charming (and usually quiet) space. But the novelty of its freeness has mostly worn off by now, so check the schedule and arrange to visit when an exhibit strikes your fancy – or just drop in and be surprised! Similarly, the Shanghai Museum has no admission charge and provides hours (literally – block off at least three if you plan on rushing, five if you want the whole experience) of information on both Shanghai and China as a whole. They also have a hall dedicated solely to rotating exhibits, so there's always something new to see.

Shanghai Art MuseumView In Map
Add: 325 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Bei Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市南京西路325号, 近黄陂北路
Tel: 021 6327 4030
Opening hours: Daily, 09:00-17:00

Shanghai MuseumView In Map
Add: 201 Renmin Da Dao, near Huangpi Bei Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市上海博物馆, 人民大道201号, 近黄陂北路
Tel: 021 6372 3500
Opening hours: Daily, 09:00-17:00

 

2) Watch a Movie
For an entirely different, but no less cultural, experience, check out the countless film clubs and movie nights around the city. From the German Centre, to restaurants, to open air screenings offered by the Spanish Consulate – trust me, there's a movie night for everyone here. Almost every one is free of charge, and you'll often even be treated to some free popcorn. Some of the more popular ones include Movie Night at Boxing Cat, which is held every Wednesday night from 19:00-23:30 (they screen three films in a row) and Vienna Cafe Film Night, hosted Thursdays at 19:30. Not only is this a free activity, but it's a great way to meet new people with common interests (at least in movies!).

Boxing Cat BreweryView In Map
Add: 82 Fuxing Xi Lu , near Yongfu Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市复兴西路82号 近永福路
Tel: 021 6431 2091, ext. 801

Vienna CafeView In Map
Add: No.2, Lane 25 Shaoxing Lu, near Shanxi Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市绍兴路25弄2号
Tel: 021 6445 2131

3) Brush Up on Your Mandarin
So summer might not feel like the best time to practice the ol' Chinese language skills, but it's hard to pass up free opportunities to learn! A great way to do this is to arrange a language exchange, where you teach someone the language of your native country, and they teach you Mandarin. It's easier to arrange this through friends, but if you're looking to find a partner outside your immediate social group, try Chinese Now, which offers free language exchange sessions every Saturday from 15:00 – 17:00 (just be sure to RSVP in advance). If you're looking for more structured lessons, Accent Mandarin offers a free class every Thursday from 09:30-11:00. The deadline for RSVPing is the Wednesday before the class.

Chinese NowView In Map
Add: Room 1F, Building 1, Haisi Tower, 1765 Huashan Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市华山路,法华镇路
Tel: 021 189 1796 5455
info@accentmandarin.com

Accent MandarinView In Map
Add: Room 1, 185 South Chongqing Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市重庆南路185号1室, 近复兴中路
Tel: 021 5403 5609

4) Enjoy Live Music
If there is one thing Shanghai expats love (besides their booze), it's live music. Salsa, blues, hip hop, techno – your choices run the full gamut of taste and preference. Most clubs and bars featuring live music are free to get into, but keep in mind that quite a few require some sort of table charge if you want to grab a seat (especially on the weekends). But really, with all those beats going on, who wants to sit still?

House of Blues & JazzView In Map
Add: 60 Fuzhou Lu, near the Bund, Shanghai
地址：上海市福州路60号, 近外滩
Tel: 021 6323 2779
Opening hours: Daily, 16:00 until late

LolaView In Map
Surpass Court,
Add: Bldg 4, 570 Yongjia Lu, near Yueyang Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市永嘉路570号4号楼, 近岳阳路
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs, 6:00pm-2:00am; Sat & Sun, 6:00pm-4:00am

5) Browse Some Art
If it's a beautiful day and you're in the mood to gaze at art – lots and lots of art, to be precise – head over to 50 Moganshan Lu, otherwise just known as M50. Here you can stroll for hours while you duck into any and every little studio you see. ShanghART Warehouse, the first gallery in China to get involved in international art fairs, is a highlight, as is Eastlink Gallery, known for featuring up-and- coming artists.

ShangART WarehouseView In Map
Add: 50 Moganshan Lu, near Suzhou Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市莫干山路50号，近苏州河
Tel: 021 6359 3923
Opening hours: Daily 10:00-18:00

Eastlink GalleryView In Map
Add: 5/F, Bldg 6, 50 Moganshan Lu, near Changhua Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市莫干山路50号6号楼5楼, 近昌化路
Tel: 021 6276 9932
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00-19:00

6) Wander the “Shikumen”
Shikumen, residences built along narrow alleyways that are typically framed by a stone gate and front door that open onto an isolated courtyard, used to be popular housing for Shanghai residences from the 1860's till about the 1970's. Many of these structures have been destroyed to make way for new government mandated buildings, but there are still a few that have either been preserved (like Tianzifang) or “creatively restored” (like Xintiandi). Both of these places provide interesting and contrasting images of a style of building that will, sadly, most likely become extinct in this era of rapid modernisation and industry. Tianzifang is the place to go if you're looking for funky, artsy items and a bite to eat at one of their various quirky al fresco cafes. Xintiandi leans more towards the businessman looking for an after-work cocktail or as a place to impress out-of-town guests.

TianzifangView In Map
Add: Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市近思南路

XintiandiView In Map
Add: Taicang Lu, near Madang Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市新天地北里, 近马当路

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