50 Ways to Beat the Heat This Summer
Shanghai is notorious for its sweaty summers, so let's look at 50 unique ways to beat the heat and humidity this year. All you need to do is click on the links for more information.
Sweat Out the Heat
If you can’t beat the heat, sweat it out! From spicy food to sweaty activities, here's what you need to know.
1. Sweaty Brunch
Photo source: Sweaty Brunch
If you cannot get the weather to cool down, fool your mind and get your body even hotter! After one session of the Sweaty Brunch (WeChat ID: thesweatybrunch), you will think Shanghai's heat is bearable.
2. Spicy food
It is a common fact that spicy food can help cool your body. As you eat, you sweat and it is the sweat that's evaporating from your body that will cool you down. Get your heat on at Sichuan Citizen (2F, 378 Wukang Lu, Tel: 021 5404 1235 or 021 5424 5886) with their sizeable menu of Sichuan-style noodles, soups and more or, if you feel adventurous, try one of the many malatang places in Shanghai.
3. Outdoor Workouts
Photo credit: Jadranko Marjanovic Mare @jadrankomarjanovic
Fitfam regularly meets at West Bund (Longteng Da Dao) and in over 20 other locations in Shanghai, do your burpees, sprints and planks. All the sweating can help you cool down. WeChatID: FitFamShanghai
Also, if you are a yoga lover and interested in practicing this in different surroundings, BYMB (Build Your Mind and Body) also has unique yoga experiences ready for you. Whether it is at a sprawling terrace or a hidden garden, you are sure to work up a sweat. (WeChat: BYMBLiving)
4. Hot Pot
Photo source: Tripadvisor user ardan h
If malatang, Sichuan Citizen or working out is still not hot enough for you, hot pot will get your sweat glands working in overdrive. Whether you opt for healthy style like Qinmin Hotpot (4F, Reel Mall, 1601 Nanjing Xi Lu, Tel: 021 6259 3004) or family-friendly Hai Di Lao (numerous locations), be ready to feel fresh after.
5. Sauna
If you want to feel cool, hit a sauna. You can try the saunas in Koreatown which will leave you washed, scrubbed and refreshed.
Cold Like Winter
Are you allergic to summer? Here are some wintery spots to take your mind off the heat.
6. New Star Ice Room
One perk to the Korean spa, New Star (1900 Tianshan Lu, Tel: 6259 7771, open 24hrs) is the Ice Room. It can go as low as -20 degrees celsius. You can feel its effects to the full by dipping in the hot pools, getting a full body scrub and, right before leaving, heading into the ice room that'll be sure to leave you nice and cool for the rest of the day.
7. Go to the Snow Park
Photo source: 247 Tickets
Cool down at Shanghai’s Zhilv Ice & Snow Park (7F, Lane 120, 6 Hongjing Road). From skiing to building a snowman, you cannot get colder than this winter wonderland.
8. Go ice skating
If you need a dose of winter to keep you cool this summer, check out the ice skating rinks in Shanghai.
Near a Fridge
Whether it's eating icy foods or drinking cool beverages, anywhere that is near a fridge can make you feel instantly cool.
9. Cold treats
A tiny window is all you need to keep your cool this summer with treats from Buco (20 Donghu Lu, Tel: 021 3356 5118). They have eight cool flavors to choose from, including peach, blueberry and pistachio - each an artisanal delight.
10. Eat gelato
Shanghai has an infinite affair with gelato. So much in fact that there are as many gelato shops as there are Starbucks in the city. Ok, we may have exaggerated just a bit here, but you get the point. De Medici, Bonus are just two of the best-tasting gelato shops in the city. But you won’t know until you try them all.
11. Eat Instagrammable desserts from Cho Collector
Don’t want the conventional gelato or ice cream? Hit up Cho Collector (Unit 103, Madang Lu, near Taicang Lu, Huangpu district), Tel: 021 6333 8397 and pick his ice cream sandwich. You won’t be disappointed.
12. Eat poke bowls
Whether it is a savory bowl or a healthy bowl, it is delicious and cooling as well. And Shanghai is no stranger to these.
13. Fill up on convenience store ice cream
There are so many local and foreign ice creams to choose from here in Shanghai. Maybe this is the time to try some local Chinese ice cream flavors?
14. Cold brew coffee
If hot coffee is just too hot for this weather, there are a ton of places offering a nice cold brew.
15. Visit cool cafes
Is Shanghai’s obsession with coffee slowing down anytime soon? Looks like there are plenty of cool cafes to explore where you can order a nice chilled coffee. How about checking out Peet's Coffee (9 Donghu Lu) or Starbucks Roastery (Taikoo Hui, 789 Nanjing Xi Lu) if you haven't already done so.
16. Eat Sashimi
When the weather is so hot, even your dinner should be cool. How about going for fresh sashimi or sushi in some of Shanghai's best Japanese restaurants?
17. Check out the beer bars
Independent bottle shops are all the rage in Shanghai, so why not spend a day indoors near the refrigerator where it’s nice and cool and begin to drink. Beer Plus (406 Changshou Lu) will give you all you need, including fresh oysters and a nice music selection, or head over to any of the three Beer Lady locations.
18. Go Supermarketing!
With large department stores, there are also larger-than-life supermarkets. Take City Super for example: its sprawling 4000m2 size takes up almost half of the LG2 floor at HKRI Taikoo. You can easily get your chill on by lurking around the frozen meats section.
Take a Cooling Dip
The best way to beat the heat is to land yourself in some nice cool watery temps.
19. Floatasian
Stay calm and discover your zen while floating in Floatasian’s deprivation tank (Unit A, Building 5, 2F, 288 Dagu Lu).
20. Hit the Outdoor Pools
Shanghai is not lacking swimming pools, and nothing is more refreshing than a cool dip while soaking in some sun. W Hotel Shanghai, New World Shanghai Hotel and the JW Marriot Tomorrow Square have some amazing outdoor swimming pools for your dipping pleasure.
Even better, hit an outdoor pool party this July 8th on Sun Island with Mission Out brought to you by Mist, LINX and Fusion (RMB 200).
Extract the QR code below to book now!
21. Go to a public pool
If you want to cool down without emptying your wallet on fancy swimming pools, check out some of the best public pools in Shanghai!
22. Public water fountains
Be mischievous and run through a water fountain. In the middle of Jing’an Kerry Center (1515 Nanjing Xi Lu) or Columbia Circle (1262 Yan'an Xi Lu), go on…We dare you!
Fun Outdoor Activities
It might be hot, but don’t let the heat dampen your spirits. Go out and take part in some really fun activities.
23. Water park
It may not be Six Flags, but this is the closest thing to it! Check out the waterparks in and around Shanghai which will be great fun for the weekends. If you don’t want to leave the city, check out Playa Maya Water Park (Lin Meng Xin Lu, Songjiang District) or Jinshan City Beach (7741 Hu Hang Gong Lu).
24. Outdoor BBQ
Go to one of the many parks in Shanghai and start a BBQ with friends. Nothing can beat chilled beer and good company.
25. Hit the beach
If you enjoy a decent breeze, hit up the two beaches near Shanghai! Dishui Lake (3333 Shiji Tang Lu, near Nanhui Guanhai Park) which opens up into the ocean, and Jinshan City Beach (7741 Hu Hang Gong Lu) will fill your craving for a bit of nature.
26. Do water sports
There are plenty of water sports to keep you cool. Great as a weekend getaway or a day-trip, these five sports will be sure to keep your mind off the sizzling heat.
27. Hide in the shade
There are so many gorgeous streets to walk around in Shanghai that are lush and full of beautiful greenery. If you want to go out, keep your head cool explore some of Shanghai’s most beautiful streets. Our favorite is Wukang Lu where you can see some gorgeous architecture.
28. Go gallery hopping
Moganshan - M50 - Art District (50 Moganshan Lu) is one of the most famous art districts in Shanghai, but we should also mention Doulun Lu as a unique spot as well. These two areas have galleries that will keep you out of the sun and welcome you into the shade.
Stay Indoors
The hot muggy days make it easier to stay indoors where the AC is at full blast.
29. Hit the movie theaters
From large chains to private rooms, watch a summer blockbuster and stay super cool in one of the many movie theaters.
30. Visit museums
Photo credit: Shanghai Natural history Museum
Shanghai has plenty of museums to visit, but beware because if you visit one a day you will pretty much skip out on the entire summer. Even spending a full day visiting as many unique museums in town is bound to keep you cool.
31. Arrange a Staycation!
Maybe your AC is not as strong as you would like, or you think you would enjoy the benefits of having a pool, gym, sauna and dining options all in one location. Well, if that's your wish, you better book a staycation for a hot weekend! Need some inspiration? Here are some located in and around the city.
32. Visit Gigantic Malls
It seems that Shanghai is building gigantic mall after gigantic mall. Whether you are exploring the sprawling space of Vivo City (Qixin Road No. 1507, Metro Line 12 Qixin Road Station) or walking around the HKRI Taikoo Hui (No.789 West Nanjing Road, HKRI Taikoo Hui), you will be basked in a very cool atmosphere.
33. Watch stage performances
Whether it is Kinky Boots or STOMP, there are plenty to grace the stages during the summer in Shanghai. Purchase your tickets on 247 Tickets and expect to be dazzled.
Extract the QR code below to book your ticket.
34. Go to live music bars
No summer is complete without some live music to set the rhythm. From jazz to rock, there is a venue for nearly every genre. Check out our guide to live music here.
35. Stay underground
Whether it is inside K11 or within Found158 (158 Julu Lu), you can easily hide from the sun’s rays at these underground spots.
36. Buy skimpy underwear
Victoria’s Secret (222 Huaihai Zhong Lu) has a wonderful selection of underwear, so if you need to trade your thicker garments for something with a bit less fabric, this is the place for you! However, there are also other shops in town where less is their specialty.
37. Visit flagship stores
One of the hottest flagship stores in Shanghai is Starbucks Reserve. You can easily spend a day inside sampling their entire coffee selection if you get there early enough. We also need to mention Muji’s flagship store (755 Huahai Zhong Lu) which is quite impressive.
38. Ride the metro
There are plenty of things to discover around Shanghai, and taking the subway with its air-con at full throttle can help you explore the city with cooler breaks inbetween destinations.
39. Visit outlet malls
If you enjoy shopping, you should visit the outlet malls in Shanghai. Florentia Village is a great outlet that offers hundreds of shop selections that will keep you nice and cool.
40. Visit the botanical garden
The Chenshan Botanical Garden (3888 Chenhua Lu, Shanghai) or the Shanghai Botanical Garden (111 Longwu Lu) provide a colorful environment to see all your favorite flower species, so you can enjoy the outdoors while staying indoors.
41. Visit book shops
If you want a great atmosphere with cool vibes and chilly AC, you can count on visiting Shanghai’s book stores and libraries. Whether it is the Shanghai Library or one of the newer bookstores in town, each of them is bound to keep you out of the heat.
42. Visit the renovated Xujiahui Cathedral
St. Ignatius Cathedral (158 Puxi Lu) just finished their long renovation plans. It is quiet and the inside of the cathedral is quite cool; perfect if you are looking for a serene location and a bit of divine intervention.
Out and Away
If you can’t beat the heat, avoid it!
43. Trip to the mountains
Tommy Zhao
Escape the heat of Shanghai and go on a trip! How about a trip to the Hallelujah mountains in Zhangjiajie? Book now and enjoy the green scenery of the National Forest Park and quart peaks.
Extract the QR code below to book your place now.
Or go to Moganshan and escape in the shade of the bamboo forest.
44. Travel to cities cooler than Shanghai
But if you feel the mountains are not your cup of tea, remember there are other cities to travel to which provide the same cooling comforts without all the adventure trekking.
45. Travel to amazing hotels
There are so many fancy hotels near Shanghai, it would be a shame to miss out on a weekend where you are just lapsing in luxury and under full AC.
46. Go out at night
If you are really afraid of the heat, just sleep all day and head out in the evening.
47. Go bowling
If it's just too hot for Found158 or clubbing, why not spend a nice easy night at the bowling alley? You can check out Hao’s Bowling alley (128 Zhaojiabang Lu, Tel: 021 6466 6577) or get fancy at Bund Bowl (B1/F, 575 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near the Indigo Hotel, Tel: 021 6335 3285). It’s air conditioned and they serve booze…It's the perfect place to keep your cool at night.
48. Make wacky Taobao summer purchases
We love Taobao. There are countless things you can purchase, from the downright weird to the super useful. And what better way to stay cool than with awesome summer purchases.
49. Karaoke
When you go singing at Shanghai’s karaoke bar, you are sure to be in for a treat! Check out MuseK in Xintiandi (Taicang Lu, Lane 181, Building 6, Fl. 3) for a nice luxurious singing session. Their plush private rooms as well as party platters will be a great escape from the sun and the heat.
50. Scooter ride in the evening
Hop on your electric bike and scooter around town. The fresh air will cool you down! My favorite route to visit is along the West Bund where it’s quiet with a nice breeze. Although you cannot get waterfront views, you can easily park your bike and walk around. But check out these other routes you can visit on your bike.
Beat the Heat With These Super Cool Frozen Treats