30 Exciting Things to Look Forward to in 2019

The weather outside is frightful and we're definitely not finished living out our festive Christmas dreams just yet, but tomorrow brings a new year and, with it, a whole heap of fun things to do! Whether you're looking to explore more of Shanghai, check out some great food deals, get fit (new year, new you, right?) or travel to the edge of the world, we've got 30 exciting things you can plan for an incredible 2019. 

The Food and Drink

The Last Slice of Christmas Pizza @ Homeslice

Image courtesy of Homeslice

Hang on to those Christmas feels with Homeslice who brought out a limited edition pizza - the White Christmas Pizza (RMB 150 per 16" pizza; RMB 25 per slice) - generously topped with sage stuffing sausage, ham, pickled cranberry and fried shallots. It's only available until January 6th though so you will need to be quick. 10% of sales will be going to Fithearts charity who focus on helping disadvantaged children receive opportunities in education, improved healthcare and physical wellness.

Address: Found 158, 158 Julu Lu. Other locations also available.

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11am-12am; Friday to Saturday, 11am-2am

Chef Mo Zhou x Chris Zhu's Pop-Up Izakaya @ Bird

From Thursday to Saturday, January 10th-12th, Chef Mo Zhou will be teaming up with Chef Chris Zhu from Bird for a three-night Japanese pub-style izakaya pop-up. Inspired by Shinya Shokudo, Japanese manga series 'Mightnight Dinner', chefs Zhou and Zhu will reinterpret casual izakaya dishes with a fine dining approach.

Expect a night of sake, beer and highball with dishes such as teriyaki glazed grilled chicken, pigeon katsu with homemade Worcestershire sauce, and steamed forest rice. Chef Zhou was trained in Australia's best kitchens (namely Attica and Vue de Monde) and has held a series of pop up dinners in Melbourne, Korea and China.

Address: 50 Wuyuan Lu

Tel: [phone]

Beer U @ Stone Brewing Tap Room

ABV, SRM, and IBU: do you know what these acronyms stand for? Hops vs. malt: can you distinguish the difference between these two? Fermenting or filtering: which comes first in the brewing process? Brown ales and red ales: do you know what gives each beer its distinct color? If not, you're not alone! In 2019, you can enroll at Stone Brewing University to explore and learn about the world of craft beer. Whether you're just beginning your beer education or already a dedicated scholar, attend their interactive monthly workshops led by Cicerone-certified beer experts to dive deeper into topics like beer and food pairing, beer ageing, the sour beer brewing process, and the difference between porters, stouts and other dark beers!

During each course you'll be able to sample 6-8 beers, learn to recognize flavor nuances and discuss the breweries' histories and stories behind each beer, all while learning about the brewing process, choosing appropriate glassware, and the different types of fermentation. 

Attend 5 courses and receive your 6th course free of charge. Attend 10 courses and receive a Stone Beer U diploma and customized Stone glassware.

Address: 1107 Yuyuan Lu

First Workshop: January 16th, 7pm

First Topic: "Is Winter Beer Bullsh*t?" - examining the differences between seasonal beers.

Price: RMB 188 (includes 6-8 beer tasters, 10% of all takeaway beer purchases). Sign up using the QR code to secure your spot!

The New "It" Spot @ Julu Lu 758

With the resurrection of More Than Eat in 2017 and the underground nightlife hub of Found 158, there is a lot to be said for this once former sleepy street that borders the Former French Concession. Now, Julu Lu is making noise once again with the newest F&B hub, Julu Place 758. With restaurants, bars and an open courtyard, we have our bets that this will be the next happening spot in town. Got some free time? Spend an afternoon exploring all that this hip n' happening place has to offer for a food and drink-fuelled day.

Hands-On Dumpling Delights @ UnTour Food Tours

If you're as obsessed with dumplings as we are, UnTour Food Tours offer a fun-filled tour and cooking class combo to get you off the beaten path every Tuesday and Saturday morning! You'll sample a whole range of regional dumplings from your potstickers to your wontons - you can expect to try around 8-9 dishes while exploring Xuhui before trying your hand at making your own dumplings in an hour-long class.

Website: www.untourfoodtours.com to book.

Dining with the Fish @ Mr. Fisher

After 12 years, the quarry hotel has finally opened and, along with it, Shanghai's first underwater restaurant. Located 15 levels below ground at -88m, the project cost around RMB 20 million to create and, now, diners are able to eat with 6,000 sea creatures. It's a beautiful setting coupled with a menu of seafood-based fine dining. Unforgettable, no?

Average Price: RMB 1,500

Address: -15/F, InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, 5888 Cheng Hua Lu
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 6pm-10pm

Shanghai's First Shake Shack @ Xintiandi

As we reported earlier, Shake Shack has been planning to open their first Shanghai store in 2019, with plans to have 25 restaurants throughout Shanghai and Eastern China by 2028. We are hungry just thinking about it…Overtaking the former Pizza Marzano spot, this will be their second venture into the Asian market after they opened Shake Shack Hong Kong, located at IFC in May of this year.

Address: North Block Xintiandi, No. 10-12, Lane 181 Taicang Lu

Expected: 2019

Winter Pies @ Pie Society

To keep you warm throughout the bitter temperatures of January, Pie Society is launching a new set of pies: The Lambo, Oh Dear! and Kate & Sydney. Each one is going to be filled with rich and hearty fillings that we're sure excited to try out! Priced at RMB 55 each and made into pie meals - RMB 70 with a side and gravy or RMB 85 with two sides and gravy. 

Address: 688 Shaanxi Bei Lu or 67 Xingfu Lu

Expected: After January 1st, 2019

Daily Specials @ Hooked

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to save money, then Hooked are there to lend a helping hand with their new daily specials. You'll be able to make the most of buy one, get one deals for NZ Hoki Fish & Chips, RMB 25 tapas, half-price drinks and more!

Address: Found 158, 158 Julu Lu

When: Daily,  5pm-10pm, plus Happy Hour Monday to Thursday.

New Cocktails and Absinthe @ Highline

Highline have just launched their new cocktail menu and they're introducing a cool new absinthe program too! With an aim to introduce this forgotten spirit in Shanghai, they're planning to use an authentic and traditional absinthe called La Maison Fontaine which has a low ABV. Served tableside, you'll be able to try the Green and White absinthe from Highline's traditional fountains for a slow-dripped drink which you can add sugar to or not, as well as a few absinthe-based cocktails.

Address: 6/F, 282 Huaihai Zhong Lu,

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Daily; Lunch, 11am-2pm, Afternoon Tea, 2-5pm, Dinner, 5pm-1am

1/9/19 @ Stone Brewing Tap Room

“Yao jiu yao jiu” (一九一九) meaning “1-9-1-9” in Chinese playfully sounds very similar to “yao jiu” (要酒) meaning “I want alcohol.” So, Stone Brewing Tap Room is going to fulfill all of your 1/9/19 wants and needs with a special discounted price of RMB 19 on 19 different Stone beers, glasses, beer koozies, and other Stone branded swag all day long on January 9th, 2019! They've got everything from Stone White Geist Berliner Weisse crowlers to Barrel-aged Arrogant Bastard Ale bottles, from Stone Tangerine Express IPA cans to Stone branded tote bags, and everything in between. Stop into the Stone Brewing Tap Room or order online through Eleme, Sherpas, Weidian, and Hema.

Address: 1107 Yuyuan Lu

The Lasting Memories

Formula 1 (F1) Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2019

The finest racing show is coming to Shanghai in 2019 for an exhilarating race at breakneck speeds. You can attend the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix with exclusive access by choosing one of F1 Experiences Official Ticket Packages to enjoy exclusive benefits such as meet-and-greets with big names, an exclusive Pit Lane walk, a driving tour of the track and more! 

Address: Shanghai International Circuit, 2000 Yi Ning Lu

When: April 11th to April 14th, 2019

Price: From RMB 6,855 and under to RMB 20,567 and above.

Website: www.f1experiences.com

Cats the Musical @ Shanghai Culture Square

On a special night of the year, the Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle ball where they wait for their leader - the wise Old Deuteronomy - to choose which of them will journey to Heaviside layer and be reborn into a new life. The show is based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats and set amongst a larger-than-life junkyard playground that's alive with the vibrant feline characters who come out to play. It's one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, so a must-watch before it finishes.

Address: Shanghai Culture Square, 597 Fuxing Zhong Lu

When: June 7th to June 16th, 2019

Price: RMB 280 - RMB 680 on 247tickets.com

SLASH Ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators @ Modern Sky Lab Shanghai

Yes, the iconic award-winning, American rock guitarist, songwriter and film producer is coming to Shanghai in 2019! Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, they're bringing the "Live the Dream" World Tour Live to Shanghai for one day only so you better be fast in snapping those tickets up. Over the years, SLASH has amassed album sales of over 100 million copies, received a GRAMMY Award and seven GRAMMY nominations as well as inducted into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame.

Address: Modern Sky Lab, 3F Moon Shopping Mall, 188 Ruihong Lu

When: January 22nd, 2019

Price: RMB 1,280 - RMB 1,680 on 247tickets.com

The Trends

Shop @ Shanghai L+ Mall

Located in Lujiazui, this high-end mall had RMB 500,000 of investment for the 140,000sqm space. With 11 storeys and 1 basement, the first to fourth floor is dedicated to high-end brands, the fifth floor is for popular e-commerce brands and the sixth to eleventh is focused around the trendy, athletic, family and food brands alongside entertainment options. The place is beautifully decorated with arc windows and rooftop garden, and family-friendly entertainment options (IMAX Theater) and will also adopt a mall, supermarket and buyer's a 23,000sqm Galeries Lafayette, CITIC bookstore, and Michelin-star nominated restaurant, The Butchers Club.

Address: 899 Pudong Nan Lu

Shanghai ITC Mall

Expected to open in early 2019, the Shanghai ITC Mall will be a 270,000sqm space with three centers, a pier, buildings and hotel all in one. The interior and exterior has been designed by renowned architecture firm Lead 8, and the office building has already begun operations. They'll also house a unique, green lifestyle space and sheltered walkway complete with a bridge, modern street art and more - a city within a city? For the entire project to be completed, we're told it could be closer to 2023 though.

Where: Xujiahui

Expected: Early 2019

1,000 Trees @ Suzhou River

British designer Thomas Heatherwick decided to create a huge mountain along Suzhou River, with 400 terraces and 1,000 trees. Using a mix of concrete and soil, this new landmark will integrate both working space and the outdoors and, following completion, will have tourist, entertainment, shopping and other such elements for everyone to uncover. Look familiar? That's because it's pretty similar in style to the ancient wonder that was the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Where: Moganshan Lu

Expected: 2019

Dongdu Frog Town

Dongdu Frog Town reimagines the mall concept with the inclusion of a waterfall, pirate ship and even a farm - talk about really going all out. With the inclusion of a park, shoppers can explore the waterfall, enjoy a light show, check out the open air sauna (yes, please!), market and much more. Shopping just got a whole lot more exciting, no?

Where: Dianshanhu Avenue

Expected: End of 2018 - early 2019

Tank Shanghai @ Shanghai West Bund Center

Constructed with five large round tanks, which were originally used as aviation storage tanks, modern art collector Qiao Zhibing is putting together an art space that's 15m high and boasts an industrial art theme. In the future, the place will incorporate different exhibitions, a bookstore, restaurants, education center, park and much more. Each tank will have a different function, the first being used for live performances, second for the world's first themed restaurant in a tank, and third for large-scale art exhibitions.

Where: Shanghai West Bund Center

Expected: March 2019

Shanghai Dream Center @ Xuhui Binjiang

A cement plant back in the day, this place is said to be transforming into a theater, complete with stage and music hall. There will be eight special themes, each with different creative art installations and green space integrated into the West Bund's media scene. The space will also see an art gallery, 500-seater IMAX Theater, 800-seater interactive music hall and much more. You'll never be bored again.

Where: Xuhui Binjiang

Expected: 2019

Shanghai Snow City Theme Park

If you love winter, 2019 will bring you all the merry festivities you wish could last all year long in the form of Shanghai Snow City Theme Park. With investments of up to RMB 5 billion, Shanghai will see a new interior ice skating park and skiing area with a 100m gradient in a space that spans 220,000sqm. What's more, there will also be an ice theater for visitors to watch world-class ballet and ice skating performances as well as a music theater, carousel, IMAX and hotel. The hotel here will be made of ice, with a portion of it really utilizing the skiing theme so for those staying the night, you'll be able to just throw on some skis and head right out!

Where: Pudong Nanhui New City

Expected: 2019

Art Aquarium in Shanghai

After 12 consecutive years and 35 stops on their world tour, this exhibition took Japan by storm before finally arriving in Shanghai. Featuring a whopping 5,000 goldfish, you only have until February to go and see this spectacular aquarium come to life in a never-before-seen art installation in Shanghai.

Where: 100 Century Square Avenue, Sky Arena 94

When: Until February 17th, 2019

Venice Town @ Jinsha Jiang Lu

A newly-built and integrated city and commercial mall is set to be a new Insta spot that will look like something right out of Venice with its stylized architecture, sculptures, alleys and even gondolas for people to enjoy while taking a break from shopping.

Where: 1685 Jinsha Jiang Lu

Expected: 2019

The Staycations

Underwater Dreams @ InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland

After 12 years of hard work, spanning 88m in depth with two basement floors and 16 floors above ground level, the hotel has a beautiful waterfall view and rooftop garden. Each guest staying here has an observatory deck, and there are underwater suites and restaurants as well. 

The hotel is located within a quarry in the Sheshan mountainous district, which was previously a stone mining site that was later abandoned. There are a total of 336 rooms in the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, with interior designs inspired by cliffs, waterfalls, and hills. The guest rooms come in a couple of themes - turquoise theme and red industrial theme for twin suites - and each of them come with their own observatory deck. Guests who are staying right at the bottom of the quarry will have their own private housekeeping staff to tend to their needs.

Address: 5888 Chenhua Lu

Tel: [phone]

Price: Currently, November and December are fully-booked and, according to the InterContinental website, reservations start from RMB 3,394.22/night.

Break New Heights @ Shanghai Tower J Hotel

Redefining the hotel scene and breaking new heights, Shanghai is expecting to see a new hotel occupying the 84th to 110th floor of the Shanghai Tower in 2019. By Jinjiang International, the main hall will be located on the 101st floor, and will also see an all-day breakfast restaurant on the 102nd, a Chinese restaurant and private dining room on the 103rd and 104th respectively, as well as a themed restaurant on the 105th.

Where: 84F - 11F, Shanghai Tower

Expected: 2019

Relax in Beauty @ JW Marriott Hotel

Spanning 157.5m high and with 30 floors, the new JW Marriott Hotel in Shanghai is designed by SOM and nicknamed the brother of Dubai Tower. Overlooking the Huangpu River, this new staycation dream is set to have beautiful exteriors alongside dome-like structures in the main hall that will reach 60m high.

Where: South of Lujiazui

Expected: 2019

A Touch of Europe @ Shanghai Rocco Forte Hotel

A new luxury hotel and classic European brand is set to come to Shanghai in the summer of 2019. Run by the Forte family for four generations, this will be their first hotel in Asia and an exquisite work of design by Olga Polizzi and Hirsch Bedner Associates London. Set to occupy the highest floors of the newest building in West Bund, the hotel will feature a sleek all-glass façade with captivating streamlined curves. Restaurants and bars in The Westbund Hotel will offer food and drink, while the 51st floor will see a destination for wellness and indulgent therapies.

Where: 700 Yunjin Lu, Xuhui District

Expected: Summer 2019

The Adventures

The Incredible Ice Festival @ Harbin

Every year, from January to February, the northern city of Harbin sees a wonderful and awe-inspiring event take place. They're all about massive ice sculptures that glisten in the sun during the day, and glow bright LED colors at night in a magical display and gigantic structures all made from ice. It's a truly spectacular sight and unmissable event.

Bathing in Hot Springs

Temperatures in Shanghai are really dropping fast now. So, instead of spending your days wrapped up in a blanket as you pray for Spring to arrive, go find a hot spring to sit in instead! At 1.5 hours away by car, Wang Yan Hot Springs in Suzhou Bay is a super convenient location that features more than 40 themed hot springs and a great view of Taihu Lake.

Address: S230 Sheng Dao Xi, Wanping Community, Taihu

Price: RMB 238 per person

Tel: [phone]

The Best of Guilin

For Spring Festival, DragonAdventures are organizing a wonderful 5-day trip Guilin-Yangshuo to enjoy the stunning scenery and brilliant tourist attractions that are representative of Chinese landscape. Included in the price you'll have round-trip flights, private transportation on the ground, 4 nights accommodation, an English speaking guide, bike rental, a ride on a bamboo raft and all entrance tickets on the itinerary as well as insurance. What a bargain! Add them on WeChat to find out more.

When: February 4th to 8th

Price: Early Bird RMB 5,780 (until January 20th), otherwise RMB 6,280.

WeChat: dragonadventures