Summer is creeping in, and there are still a few precious weeks before the humidity ratchets up. The city is blooming with new restaurants, bars and activities. Here’s a round up of what’s happening in Shanghai. Read More>>
Is there anything better than this (oh so brief) respite between freezing cold and boiling hot weather – otherwise known as spring in Shanghai? The sun has come out to play, the breeze is downright balmy, and the masses want nothing more than to sip their ... Read More>>
I’ve recently realized that you can judge how many laowai are at an event here in Shanghai by the number of those Vespa-style electric bikes you see parked outside the venue. They’re everywhere, those bikes. Silver for the “creative” entrepreneurs (to ... Read More>>
May is drawing to a close, so what’s in store for the weeks ahead? Here’s a look at what’s coming up, and what’s been going on in Shanghai lately. Read More>>
China, in general, is a very safe country to live in. Even in a big city like Shanghai, the violent crime rate is very low – the biggest worries here tend to be theft or pick pocketing. It is always better to be prepared, however, whether you have a sudden ... Read More>>
Summer is almost upon us. Bars are opening their terraces, the trees are coming into leaf, and there’s a definite humidity creeping into the air. Late spring in Shanghai is one of the best seasons, with clement weather and warm evenings. Luckily ... Read More>>
The spring season which seems to last, oh, all of about two weeks here in Shanghai is upon us, so now is the time to jump on that age old tradition we all know and love from childhood – going on a picnic! Admittedly it can be difficult to find a patch of ... Read More>>
Shanghai is a do-it-yourself kind of city. Whether you come here to start your own business or just start a new life, Shanghai provides plenty of opportunities to do it your way. This ambitious attitude even extends to playtime, where lovers of everything ... Read More>>
The towns of Hangzhou and Suzhou are famous for their lakes and canals. Lying just a couple of hours from Shanghai, they are a firm favourite for tourists, and city dwellers eager for some peace and quiet. But what if you’ve already seen Hangzhou ... Read More>>
Middle Eastern food can be a bit confusing for the uninitiated. Where exactly does it come from? Can one country claim it as their own? The truth is that Middle Eastern food is simply a term used to encompass the cuisine of many different countries, ... Read More>>
Shanghai is a massive city, but it really doesn’t take very long to see all the main attractions. Once you’ve done the Bund, the museums, the French Concession stroll, People’s Square, and Yu Yuan, there isn’t an awful lot else. But we’ve dug up some ... Read More>>
You don’t need to go far to get away from the obnoxious crowds and noxious clouds of Shanghai. Here we’ve rounded up three of the best places to escape, none of them more than a few hours from the city. Three famous mountain retreats – Moganshan, ... Read More>>
During Shanghai’s Golden Age from the mid 1800s until the Communists took over in 1949, the city had a well-earned reputation for vice. Its very name was a synonym for dodgy dealings; if you were “shanghaied”, you were kidnapped and forced ... Read More>>
The consistent influx of new bars, paired with an equally consistent shutting down of said bars, can make Shanghai a tricky place to navigate when you’re looking to expand outside your usual watering holes. It is not unusual for a place to open and ... Read More>>
We’re back again for another round-up of the latest news and happenings in Shanghai. From Avril Lavigne to Formula 1, and murder mysteries to a laowai lifesaver, Shanghai Watchdog will bring you up-to-date on all the major new developments. Read More>>
Although Shanghai still has some way to go before being gay is totally acceptable, it is almost certainly the best place to be if you identify as LGBT in China. The first Gay Pride event in Mainland China took place here back in summer 2009, and there’s ... Read More>>
It was a sunny afternoon. Walking up towards the high street, we passed a red telephone box, and a series of red brick town houses. Turning onto the main square, just off Oxford Street, we caught sight of the church spire rising from behind a row of austere ... Read More>>
Pearl City<br /> Also known as the Hongqiao Pearl Market, this is the place to go when you're looking for cheap, cheap, cheap. They have everything from costume jewelry to (ahem) “pearls,” and they're not afraid to show you. Prices are generally ... Read More>>
Dancing is beneficial in countless ways, both for your mind and your body – plus, it’s just fun! From tango to swing to salsa, join up with others who share your passion for booty shaking. Don’t think you have to be a professional, though. While most ... Read More>>
You may be wondering if summer will ever arrive, but Shanghai is definitely heatting up as far as new openings, great gigs, and top news stories are concerned. Here’s what’s been happening over the past couple of weeks, along with some stuff to ... Read More>>
It may be true that everyone screams for ice cream, but sometimes you want something a little more filling for a sweet treat. Milkshakes are catching on as Shanghai’s restaurants continue to adopt American staples to please Western palates. ... Read More>>
In Shanghai – reborn and reborn again as months go by – M50 surges further forward in its role as nucleus of the city’s art world, despite or with thanks to an accompanying commercial identity. A combination of factors sets this mazelike complex of ... Read More>>
While chocolate desserts usually get all the attention, there are some alternatives out there for the less cocoa inclined. One such treat is a good old-fashioned slice of cheesecake, basically because there are so many variations on the “original” that ... Read More>>
At first glance, Shanghai isn’t a city that exudes originality when it comes to fashion (unless you’re talking about those bizarrely creative Chinglish T-shirts). A cursory glance down any street in Shanghai reveals a mix of pyjama-clad pensioners, young ... Read More>>