Shanghai Activities

Huangpu River Cruises

The best way to enjoy Shanghai’s infamous waterfront sceneries, a river cruise down Huangpu River ranks high on the list of must-dos when visiting this city. Get enchanted by the sights that greet you as you journey along the river – on one side, The Bund mesmerises with a sense of nostalgia, and on the other side, Pudong’s glitzy, cutting-edge skyline charms like never before – giving you an interesting contrast of old and new Shanghai.

The shortest cruise takes about 30 minutes, and the full cruise, which takes you all the way to the mouth of the Yangtze River where it merges with the sea, takes approximately three hours.

Jin Jiang Amusement Park

Jin Jiang Amusement Park is Shanghai’s first large-scale specialised amusement park and covers some 103,000sqm. This popular family attraction features rides imported from overseas and comes equipped with a host of recreational facilities which include retail shops, restaurants and cafés. Amongst its more popular rides are a giant Ferris wheel, a layered merry-go-round, a space shuttle, a fighter plane and a UFO simulator.

The Water World section of the amusement park, which is open in summer, offers a range of exciting recreational activities such as rock-and-roll skiing, variable-speed skiing, stream surfing and a massage pool. 

Shiji Gongyuan (Century Park)

Located at the southern end of Century Boulevard, this sprawling 347-acre family-friendly park combines western and eastern influences in its design and landscape and is by far the largest in Shanghai. The park is divided into seven areas which include a mini-golf course, a man-made cobblestone beach, a bird sanctuary and a huge lake in the centre where fishing gear and paddleboats can be rented.

Although visitors are not allowed to bring in their own bicycles to ride along the park’s perfectly-manicured walkways, standard two-wheel bicycles and tandem bicycles can be rented at the park itself, as well as four-passenger pedal cars. 

Disc Kart Indoor Karting

Disc Kart has perhaps the best indoor racing arena in the city. Not only is it equipped with a hi-tech timing system, the karts are also fitted with powerful Honda engines. The race track is also open well into the wee hours of the morning.

Shanghai International Circuit Kartworld

Shanghai International Circuit Kartworld, on the other hand, offers world-class FIA Grade-A go-karting facilities including a 1.2 kilometre race track with 18 challenging corners, deemed one of the most challenging go-karting circuits in China.

One of the Shanghainese’s favourite pastimes, bowling arenas can be found dotted all around the city, particularly in major hotels, shopping complexes and entertainment centres.

Hotels such as Cypress, Equatorial, Hua Ting, andRegal all have their own bowling facilities, and major bowling centres such as The Orden Bowling Centre are open 24 hours for round-the-clock bowling enjoyment.

Rates vary from one bowling venue to another, depending on the quality of the bowling centre and the time of the day (the later it gets, the more expensive it is).

The Orden Bowling Centre

Since the ban on golf had been lifted at the end of the Communist regime in China, golf courses have sprung up all over town like mushrooms. Golf enthusiasts – amateur or professional – will be spoilt for choice when it comes to places to practise their putting skills here.

Golf clubs and golf courses of all sizes and types can be found in abundance around Shanghai, from world-class designer golf course at the Shanghai International Golf and Country Club to sprawling 54-hole golf course at the Shanghai Binhai Golf Club.

Shanghai Binhai Golf Club

Shanghai International Golf & Country Club

The Chinese have been flying this delicate invention of theirs for over 3,000 years. In the old days, the Chinese Emperors used kites as a means to send signals to their troops during ancient wars. Today, this traditional activity remains one of the most popular recreational pursuits in China and Shanghai is no exception.

The best places to buy kites and indulge in a spot of kite flying are the city’s public parks, particularly at the People’s Square in front of the Shanghai Museum. It is a common sight to see men, women and children here flying their colourful works of art in the city’s parks, at any time of the day.

Ozark Rock-Climbing Centre

The Ozark Rock-Climbing Centre at Jiang Su Road also has an indoor rock-climbing facility. Originally a state-run factory, this climbing centre features a massive climbing wall with three different skill options: two 15-metre wall routes, two 12-metre beginners’ routes and two 12-metre speed routes.

Shanghai Stadium Rock-Climb Sports Centre

The Shanghai Stadium Rock-Climb Sports Centre features artificial rock-climbing walls to suit all levels from beginners to intermediates. They also arrange real rock-climbing expeditions from time to time at the Hangzhou’s South High Hill just a few hours from the city.