100 Things To Do This Christmas
It’s Christmas time, and for a lot of us that means we’re in Shanghai, far away from family. Don’t get down though, there’s plenty to do if you’re bored and need a Christmas boost. In fact, here are 100 things you can do!
1. Find an amazing Christmas dinner in Shanghai- they’re all over the place and most of them look affordable and delicious.
2. Check out the enormous LED Christmas Tree at Xintiandi
3. Get a massage – why not?
4. Get in shape with a session at OHM
5. Head on down to Slim Spa early (they only accept 10 people per day) to try some new and innovative beauty treatments.
6. Find an indoor fireplace – there are plenty in Shanghai and it’s the perfect way to relax during cold holiday weather.
7. Dust off your woolly clothes and go to the Snow Bar for a Christmas drink.
8. Enjoy classic English afternoon tea on a yacht ride down Huangpu River.
9. Go get stuffed on Mexican food at Maya and Mayita- again we ask: why not?
10. Leave Shanghai – it’s cold, go hit a beach somewhere.
11. Find a Shanghai Meetup- there are tons of options available, from drawing classes to weekend trips!
12. Check out newly opened Cobra Lily in Xintiandi – the hot new spot with great food and drinks!
13. Indulge in some popular New York desserts at Chikalicious.
14. Experience the relaxing power of deprivation tank floating at Floatasian Spa.
15. Wander around and take photos- you live in one of the most visually interesting cities in the world, go snap some photos of something besides your lunch!
16. Feast your eyes on the sunset on Flair's rooftop bar.
17. Forget where you are for an hour in Holiday Inn Pudong's incredible swimming pool.
18. Travel to the top of the 340m Jin Mao Tower!
19. Find some rooftops- you’ll never know until you check them out.
20. Drink a cup of top quality coffee at Fumi Coffee.
Photo source: Retail Design Blog
21. Buy a box of the world's best chocolates from Pierre Marcolini.
22. Venture into Wukang Mansion's bookstore.
23. Crush a season of a good TV show- weather sucks, stay indoors and catch up on all the amazing TV shows that are out there.
24. Catch up on movies- there are lots of movies too! Spend a day blasting through them all before Oscar season arrives in February.
25. Step into the world's most visually stunning bookshop at 1601 Nanjing Xi Lu!
26. Have a weekend getaway to Moganshan and be reminded of what nature is again.
27. Create a nutritious smoothie packed with fruit and veggies.
28. Enjoy the view of pole dancers at Bar Rouge.
29. Treat yourself to some macaroons!
30. Go to the alcohol laboratory Botanist for a favorite cocktail.
31. Take yourself on a boat ride down Zhujiajiao.
32. Wander through the amazing Leica store in Xintiandi.
33. Visit Eslite Bookstore.
34. Dare to venture around Shanghai on the Shanghai Ghost Tour!
35. Grab your ice skates and get yourself down to Century Star Skating Club.
36. Inhale the fresh air of Hengsha Island.
37. Go for an evening run alongside the river.
38. Immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter in Hogwarts in the international bookstore.
39. Book a private table in the Michelin-starred restaurant Bo Shanghai.
40. Ride from Europe to the USA at Gucycle, an intense indoor cycling arena.
41. Lie back and relax with some traditional Xinjiang sand treatment at Benxin Floating and Sand Therapy House.
42. Feel like a king at luxury K11 mall where you can shop, eat and drink to your heart’s content!
43. Taste classic Cantonese cuisine at the 3-Michelin-starred restaurant T’ang Court.
44. Treat yourself to a cosy new sofa at Zaozuo, perfect for snuggling up in the winter!
Photo source: Dezeen
45. Go buy art supplies from Fuzhou lu and create your masterpiece!
46. Make it through winter the French way at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon.
47. Indulge in Hawaiian cuisine that’s been eaten by the Queen of England and Barack Obama at Alan Wong’s restaurant!
48. Venture into Wanda Reign on the Bund and dine at the most exquisite restaurant, Marc
49. Explore the 2000m₂ of Shile Boutique Lifestyle Centre.
50. Keep on top of Shanghai’s latest Speakeasy, Shrine
51. Have a well-deserved lie-in before heading to one of the many brunch restaurants dotted over the city.
52. Sneak into a Convention and Exhibition Centre in Shanghai Intercontinental Hotel and help yourself to all the free snacks!
53. Sip on a warming cup of hot chocolate in one of the many stellar hot chocolate spots.
54. Indulge in a delicious croissant from Farine’s
55. Pretend you’re on holiday and go for a swim Arcadia hotel.
56. Take a day trip to the luxurious Suzhou Hot Spring Resort!
57. Enjoy the hard-to-find peace and quiet in Zen Cafe whilst sipping on traditional Chinese tea.
58. Warm your insides from top to bottom with some delicious chocolate truffles at Teuscher.
59. Admire the cuteness of the chinchillas at Bank Cafe
60. Explore one of the few remaining independent villas in Shanghai, Kaidi Hefei Manor.
61. Splash out on all the new Christmas makeup being released!
62. Try the Shanghai-Kunming high-speed railway, which opened on 30th November, take a weekend trip to Yunnan!
63. Wander down Yuyuan Lu and pick out the RMB 10,000,000 house you’ll buy when you get rich.
64. Go and wander around an art gallery with your loved one.
65. Admire the beautiful kaleidoscope of leaves falling down Wukang Lu.
66. Dream about all the things you could buy from Hermes Maison.
67. Devour a dish of ‘Poke’ at seafood restaurant Little Catch.
68. Enjoy a makeover at SkinCity 5.5
69. If you like Muji, you’ll love the Muji-themed coffee shop Little Bean!
Photo source: DesignOffice
70. Head to Shelter for either a chilled evening of films or wild partying, make sure you go before January 1st though!
71. Jump on a train to the Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort to relax in one of their many hot springs, even a red wine one!
72. Jump away from all of life’s worries at Jump 360, the world’s biggest indoor trampoline space!
73. Lie back and relax at Banyan Tree Spa.
74. Head on up to the 50th floor of FED Restaurant & Sky Lounge to eat scrumptious French cuisine surrounded by flowers!
75. Try out the outstanding salted caramel tart at Michelin-starred restaurant Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon.
76. Immerse yourself in Chinese culture by buying a live crab and cooking it all by yourself.
77. Eat your own body weight in plum duck, duck skin, duck thighs, etc. at the Hyatt on the Bund.
78. Gobble down the chestnut cake at Grateful Afternoon Tea.
79. Listen to some good old-fashioned jazz musics at JZ Club’s newly reopened Datong Mill venue.
80. Warm your stomach with some Ningbo specialties at Ningbo Ren Jia.
81. Treat yourself to some freshly baked chestnuts off the street!
82. Go take a train somewhere
83. Rent a western-style holiday home to give you chance to forget where you are for a few days.
84. Treat yourself to some new super hip sunglasses from luxury Korean store Gentle Monster.
85. Have a romantic theatre date!
86. Check out a Christmas markets - you may even get lucky under the mistletoe!
87. Or… just stay at home curled up in the warmth of your bed!
88. Eat Hot Pot!
89. Spend 3 hours in a cremation simulator for a 4D death experience!
90. Go swimming in Wanda Reign on the Bund Hotel's luxurious pool.
91. Enjoy Teuscher Cafe's customised afternoon tea.
92. Enjoy a luxury, yet low-key and relaxed meal at Jean-Georges.
93. Try Fairmont Peace Hotel's weekend champagne brunch whilst admiring the scenery.
94. Treat yourself to an RMB 2000 meal at 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana!
95. Go for a swim in the Four Seasons Hotel Pudong and admire the scenery.
96. Find a vegetarian restaurant and enjoy a veggie banquet.
97. Go to Disneyland Shanghai!
98. Enjoy an authentic French steak wellington in Paris Rouge.
99. Travel in a helicopter over The Bund!
100. Whatever you want! You are presumably an adult, go do something wild, unpredictable or crazy! Go buy candy and eat it until your stomach hurts, who cares, it’s Christmas!