Our 50 Summer Date Picks to Remember

Summer love. Ah. Shanghai is truly a swinging single's town. But there are a lot of activities that are fun to explore as a twosome. Whether you are into romantic walks or adventurous dates, here are things to do to make your first date one to remember!

1. Botanical Garden

The Chenshan Botanical Garden (3888 Chenhua Lu) or the Shanghai Botanical Garden (111 Longwu Lu) provide a colorful environment to see all your favorite flower species. Forget about buying your girl flowers, you can just show her all the beautiful flora here without spending the extra dime.

2. Weird Museums

There are normal museums and there are unique museums. If you go on a date you will need some interesting talking points and what better place to instigate conversation than with a visit some of Shanghai’s oddest and weirdest museums. 

Want to learn about Shanghai postage history? Or, how about the history of typewriters? You can find them all here.

3. Ride a double-decker bus around town

Picture credited by Ctrip

There are many ways to explore the city, but one that takes sightseeing up an extra notch is the double-decker bus. It is one easy and adventurous idea that you and your bae can enjoy, even if you have both been in Shanghai for a while! 

Price: RMB 30 for 24 hrs

Hours: 9am-5pm

4. Huangpu River Cruise

Picture credited by 021pjyc.com

The Huangpu River Cruise is another adventurous and exciting way to get to know one another. Book ahead as this is also a popular tourist activity.

5. Explore Yu Garden

Whether you go in the daytime or in the evening, walking in the old gardens is romantic.

Address: 218 Anren Lu

6. Skyscraper Hopping

If going out and exploring the city is not your cup of tea, you can get to know one another over a drink at one of Shanghai’s stunning skyscrapers. Cloud 9, the bar from Grand Hyatt Shanghai is a great pick. The building is an icon of Shanghai in itself towering at 88 floors and is considered to be a mega skyscraper of Shanghai from back in the day (Tel: [phone]). 

Another pick is the Living Room from Park Hyatt Shanghai, where they offer champagne at sunset or drinks at the Music Room where it’s perched on the 97th floor with a bar and many fun party nights (Tel: [phone]).

7. Picnic

If you want something quieter and surrounded by nature, you can try a romantic picnic. All you need is to quickly prepare a picnic basket and fill it with your favorite foods and head to one of these luscious green spots around town.

8. Watch a sunset

Summertime and sunsets go hand in hand. Catch a gorgeous sunset and maybe sneak a kiss in one of these scenic spots.

9. Walk along Suzhou Creek

Suzhou Creek has undergone a massive transformation over the years. There are patches of walkway along the river that make an ideal spot for romantic strolls (Taixing Lu and Kangding Lu).

10. Flower Market

Go for a walk and explore the local flower market. Now that Caojiadu Lu is gone, you can explore the new market JoyBells Expo (1500 Jingding Lu, near Qilianshan Nan Lu; Tel: [phone]）.

11. Innovative Installations

Shanghai is a very artsy town with plenty of galleries, museums and also innovative installations. Enjoy a fun afternoon with your date by taking them to an installation show! This summer, there is the Museum of Ice Cream and also House of Egg (3/F, Joy City, 166 Xizang Bei Lu, near Qufu Lu).

12. Couple’s Massage

Getting a massage is a rite of passage for anyone living in China, but in Shanghai there are plenty of spots for cheap massages. And what better to try it all out than with your S.O?

13. Cozy coffee shop

Summer is not always about the sun, there are some occasional downpours. What better way to have an intimate casual date than ducking from a rain in a  cozy café?

14. Make Christmas Happen Earlier!

Photo source: 247 Tickets

There is something magical about Christmas. So, why not create a memorable summer date by going to Shanghai’s Zhilv Ice & Snow Park (7F, Lane 120, 6 Hongjing Lu). From skiing to building a snowman, you can make Christmas miracles happen in the middle of summer!

15. Go Bowling

You can check out Hao’s Bowling alley (128 Zhaojiabang Lu, Tel: [phone]) or get fancy at Bund Bowl (B1/F, 575 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near the Indigo Hotel, Tel: [phone]).

16. Batting Cage

It's a fun date activity, where you can smack a few balls around followed by dinner. Cages Bar and Sport has both! (3FL, 428 Jiangning Lu, Jing'an Sports Center)

17. Watch Stage Performances

Whether it is Kinky Boots or STOMP, there are plenty of shows gracing the stage throughout summer in Shanghai. Purchase your tickets on 247 Tickets and expect to be dazzled.

Extract the QR code below to book your ticket.

18. Jazz Music

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.

19. Biking Around Town

Temperatures are soaring, but there are some scenic streets worth a bike trip with your bae. Check out some of our favorite picks here.

20. Go to the Movies

Snuggle up to a summer blockbuster in Shanghai’s newly opened 4D cinema!

21. Go on an Exciting Tour

Whether or not you are a Shanghai newbie, it is always a great opportunity to know more about the city. And with your bae, you both can sign up on some exciting tours around Shanghai 

22. Explore Columbia Circle

This new F&B hub within a heritage building is our pick for an exciting date. Not only are there numerous places to nosh, but everything about this place reminds you of the Gatsby age. It's romantic with a twist.

23. Do Yoga Together

See Shanghai in a unique way by doing yoga in exclusive areas with BYMB! There are heaps of reasons why yoga is great, even in Shanghai's sweltering summer heat. Check here to see why you and bae should give it a go together. (WeChat: BYMBLiving)

24. Indoor Rock Climbing

Another activity that is fun to do on a date is Indoor Rock Climbing. You can check out Shanghai Stadium (Entrance 6 Shanghai Stadium, 666 Tianyaoqiao Lu, near Lingling Lu, Xuhui District; Tel:[phone]) or, Rockdancing Climbing Centre (105 Floor 1A, Sports LOFT Creative Base, 128 Huayuan Lu, near Zhongshan Bei Yi Lu, Hongkou District; Tel:[phone]).

25. Laser Tag

Picture Credited by Ctrip

Less messy than paintball, it is a great activity if both you and your date is a little competitive. GLSA is a great option for laser tag (200 Shanggang Lu, Tel: [phone] 4000502228).

26. Book a Staycation

Looking for a fancy date? Well, why not make it into a staycation? Lots of chose from. Just take a pick and enjoy the lap of luxury!

27. Ferris Wheel at Joy City

Have a birds-eye view of China from the heights of the Ferris wheel at Joy City (166 Xizang Bei Lu, near Qufu Lu Tel: [phone]).

28. Cooking Class

There are lots to do in Shanghai. One sweet idea is to take cooking classes together. After all, what can be more romantic than learning about the different and exotic spices and foods of Shanghai cuisine? You can check out Chinese Cooking Workshop (Room 108-109, No.2, Dong Ping Road, near Henshan Lu; Tel: [phone]) and book your slot!

29. Speakeasies

Get cozy and explore to one of the many speakeasies in Shanghai. You can hide behind a red telephone booth at Barules (51 Fenyang Lu, Tel: [phone]) or behind a restaurant at Flask (108 North Xiangyang Lu, near Huaihai Lu).

30. Wine Bar

If you and your date enjoy laid-back nights enjoying sips of wine, hit up the wine bars around Shanghai. One that serves wine cocktails is Kru, or if you want to bring the atmosphere home you can hit up Bottles XO to get wine delivered straight to your door.

31. Visit a Church

If you are the person that is looking for marriage, why not take your date to visit a few churches around Shanghai? Visit the St. Ignacius Cathedral in Xujiahui (158 Puxi Lu) since it recently finished its renovation.

32. See the Ocean @ Dishui Lake

Located within a quiet neighborhood in the outskirts of Shanghai, Dishui Lake opens into the ocean. With such a vast sea of blue ahead, it’s an overwhelming sight and makes for a memorable seaside moment with your sweetie.

33. Explore the Old Neighborhoods

Enjoy a touch of history by exploring the old Jewish Ghetto (Tel: [phone]). By booking this tour, you get to walk through old neighborhoods and understand more about the history of Shanghai.

34. Go to the Zoo

Feel like a kid again and plan a fun date at the zoo! You can easily go to the Shanghai Zoo (2381 Hongqiao Lu, Tel: [phone]) or see the animals in the natural habitat at the Shanghai Wild Animal Park (Pudong South Six Highway, 178; Tel: [phone]).

35. Paddle on the Lake in Changning Park

Go and paddle boat around the lake inside Changning Park (No.780 Changning Road, Changning District). It will give you both some great one-on-one time while seeing some scenic views.

36. Disneyland

Give your date a dash of childhood happiness at Disneyland Shanghai (753 Shendi Bei Lu, Tel: [phone], Web: www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/en)! Spend a day on the rides and hanging out with your favorite Disney characters.

37. Learn Chinese Arts Culture

Photo source: Inkmoon via Tripadvisor

Learn all the basics of Chinese painting and take a class together with your significant other with Inkmoon (Bldg 10, No.182 Fumin Rd, Tel: [phone]). You will get an overview of the history of Chinese calligraphy, hear interesting stories behind great works of art, explore writing tools, inscribe your own fan, and experience a tea ceremony to finish up.

38. Walk Through the Sex Shop Market

It may just be a date but it’s never too early to find out their intimacy preference. Go for a little kinky walk through and see if your partner is a little 50 Shades of Grey. V-Spot (5FL, 218 Xinle Lu) cater to all kinda of tastes and desire yet the whole vibe is clean and classy.

39. Make Your Own Chocolate

Learn and make chocolate together at Zotter Chocolate Factory (www.zotter.cn; Tel: [phone]), not only will this be a fun activity but you can also have a nice and sweet memory to last you until your next sweet craving.

40. Pottery Class

Photo source: Vanity Fair

Want to be romantic? Head to the Pottery Workshop (1A Lane 180 Shaanxi Nan Lu, Tel: [phone]) and make it like the movie 'Ghost' and get ready to get your hands dirty. Make a lasting piece of art that will decorate your apartment!

41. Soap Making Class

Craft’d offer plenty of activities that can make a regular date into an interesting one. For example, making your own soap! Follow them on WeChat (WeChat ID: Craftd_sh) for up to date classes and information.

42. Footsteps of Hudec

Hudec is one of the prolific architects in his time with plenty of his buildings defining this city. From Wukang Mansions to the Park Hotel, walk back in time and discover the legacy he has left behind.

43. Sip and Paint

Enjoy an artistic date at Sip and Paint (sip-n-paint.com) from live figure drawings to freestyle painting. This is an opportunity to show off your creative talents! (It's how Jack got Rose in the movie Titanic, remember?)

44. Dancing

There is always something for everyone when it comes to dancing in Shanghai. But when it comes to romance, salsa dancing can be sensual but also fun! Here are some places to learn this dance in Shanghai. 

45. Book Shops

Lots of places to hang out in the city, but none can replace the quiet atmosphere of a bookstore. Browse through favorite titles or explore new topics together, here are some places you can go.

46. Comedy Nights

Photo source: theshanghaicomedyclub.com

Do you enjoy some fun entertainment? Instead of hitting the bars, why not try out a comedy show date night? There are a lot of fun options like Kung Fu Comedy (4/F, 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu, by Julu Lu, Tel: [phone]) or Shanghai Comedy Club (3/F, Jing'an Sports Center, 428 Jiangning Lu, Tel: [phone]).

47. Cabaret Show

Live shows are getting popular these days, so add a dash of sexiness by going to a cabaret show. Whether it is at The Pearl (471 Zhapu Lu, near Wujin Lu) or Candor (57 Maoming Lu, Tel: [phone]), you can be sure to get entertained.

48. Quiz Night

Whether it is a Sunday quiz night at Rooster (455 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu) or, Wednesday at Cages (3FL, 428 Jiangning Lu, Jing’an Sports Center), Thursday at Caxton (374 Dagu Lu, near Chengdu Bei Lu) trivia is a good way to engage you and your date’s inner nerd (or, the ability to retain useless information).

49. Cocktail Making Classes

If the both of you enjoy exquisite cocktails, how about learning to make them? Urban Bar (the brains behind Revolucion cocktail) can teach you how to make the perfect cocktail.  

50. Tea For Two

Lastly, if staycations are not your thing but you still want to enjoy the hotel environment how about a fancy afternoon tea for two at one of the newer hotel openings in town? The Lounge at Bellagio (Address No.188 Suzhou Bei Lu, Hongkou District; Tel: [phone]) is a good option located next to Suzhou River.