Shanghai offers many ways to spend an afternoon or evening. This note brings together the cultural, outdoor, hands-on and nightlife ideas, while leaving the longer neighbourhood walks in What to see.
Art exhibitions and performances
- Museums and galleries
- The Museum of Art Pudong, West Bund Museum and Power Station of Art are our picks for changing exhibitions and slower gallery visits.
- Drama and musicals
- Shanghai Grand Theatre, SAIC Shanghai Culture Square and Yifu Theatre are recommended for performances, alongside Mahua FunAge for comedy.
Neighbourhoods and riverside: see the full walks
- Wukang Road, Anfu Road and Yuyuan Road
- The historic houses, cafés and shops of Wukang Road, Anfu Road and Yuyuan Road are covered in the complete What to see entry, so this block does not repeat the same walk.
- Xuhui Riverside and the North Bund
- Xuhui Riverside and the North Bund offer riverfront walks and informal outdoor time. The North Bund viewpoints and detailed walking routes remain in What to see.
Parks and light outdoor activities
- Park picnics and camping
- Gongqing Forest Park, Century Park and Chenshan Botanical Garden are our choices for picnics, kite-flying and time outdoors.
- Water and easy hiking
- For a more active outing, we recommend sailing on the Huangpu, kayaking at Dianshan Lake or an easy hike around Sheshan. Arrange these independently with an appropriate operator; no booking is provided here.
Workshops and interest groups
- DIY workshops
- We recommend pottery, tufting, silverwork, fluid-bear painting and candle-making workshops for a hands-on weekend activity.
- Script games and escape rooms
- Shanghai has a large scene of immersive script games and escape rooms for groups interested in puzzles or role-play.
- Reading groups and talks
- Look for talks and reading groups at One Way Street, Tsutaya and other independent bookshops; check each venue's current programme.
Live music, bars and late nights
- Live houses and bars
- We recommend MAO Livehouse and Soundcloud for live music, and Julu Road and Xintiandi for small bars and craft-beer venues. Check the exact venue and event listing before going.
- Late-night reading and food
- We recommend Zhongshuge for late-night reading and Yunnan South Road or Dingxi Road for supper. Confirm the specific branch's late opening before making a special journey.