The best things to do in Shanghai through Golden Week

Golden Week is the term used to describe the week of public holiday following October 1, the day when the People's Republic was founded. If you didn't know that important historical fact, you probably mostly associate Golden Week with hellish scenes of battling crowds at train stations and airports, as it seems like the entire country are on the move. 

If you're stuck in shanghai (and maybe that's a good thing), these spectacular things to do will keep you occupied during the busiest week of the year.

Sunday 1

Rave out at Over Under

This all-day-and-night party kicks off Golden Week with the best kind of double trouble: an open rooftop in the heart Jingan with a warehouse rave hidden underneath. The event promises a showcase of 'shit that makes you feel good' with cocktails, tacos and a barbecue to boot.

1013 Beijing Xi Lu, 7th Floor, near Jiangning Lu. Sun 1. 2pm-2am. 150RMB; 130RMB (presale).

Cash in on Bottles XO's Golden Week deals

To keep you boozing through the holiday, from Sunday 1 BottlesXO will be offering a new deal every day through its app – with things like buy a bottle of Chablis and get 15 percent off your next purchase. 

Search BottlesXO in your app store. Deals from Sun 1-Sun 8.

Feast on a doughnut and bacon burger at OH MY BURGER!

Yep, you read that right. From Sunday 1, OH MY BURGER! (you know, you restaurant behind the ramen burger?) is introducing its latest masterpiece (or monstrosity, depending on your take): the doughnut and bacon burger. Two fluffy sugared doughnuts, loads of crispy bacon, cheese and a super-flattened beef patty together making some sweet magic happen. Hey, what happens on holiday stays on holiday. 

OH MY BURGER! 691 Jianguo Xi Lu, near Hengshan Lu. 

Dance till you drop at Medusa

Shanghai's glitter-soaked monthly queer rave Medusa returns, as Chez Damier, Ultra Nate and Kink, Floorplan and Octave One join residents Michael Cignarale and Mau Mau, and local star Diamond Lil.

Elevator Fourth Floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. Sun 1. 50RMB. 10pm. 

Celebrate 5 years of the Power Station of Art

Forget Champagne, celebrate the anniversary of one of Shanghai's finest art museums with burgers (courtesy of a pop-up Fatburger). From 9am till 9pm, PSA will throw a 'Let us power out, Thunderbolt dance' party that takes a look back over the past five years at the museum. 

Power Station of Art 200 Huayuangang Lu, near Miaojiang Lu. Sun 1. 9am. Free. 

Go big with French producer Brodinski at Arkham

French producer Brodinski, whose CV includes collaborations with Kanye West and Theophilus, hits Arkham for a big Golden Week night.

Arkham Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. Sun 1. 10pm. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale).

Check out 2ManyDJs waxing lyrical at Diàn Mí Festival

2ManyDJs and Asian Dub Foundation are the headliners for the newly named Diàn Mí Festival (formerly known as Midi Electronic Festival), along with Scottish producer Howie B. Excellent electro-rock band Nova Heart, rock 'n' roller Xie Tian Xiao, Shanghai techno king MHP (with full live band), Chinese disco doyenne Zhang Le and lots more will join them in descending upon the shores of Tai Lake. Cavia, MIIIA, Ouyang, SHAO, WengWeng, Mansun and Max Shen are among the DJs and producers joining them on the line-up.

Diàn Mí Festival Taihu Midi Camp, Qiduzhen, Wujiang district. Sun 1-Tue 2. 280RMB per day, 680RMB three-day pass; 180RMB per day, 450RMB three-day pass (presale). Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.

Monday 2

Get freaky at Cirque du Soleil's clown-inspired Kooza

Venture east of the river for some gravity-defying action at Cirque du Soleil's Kooza. Featuring an international cast of 50 acrobats, musicians, actors and singers, the show tells the story of ‘The Innocent’, who goes on a self-discovery trip and meets eccentric characters and experiences countless thrills along the way.

Kooza Junction of Hongshan Lu and Xueye Lu (South of China Art Museum), Pudong. Mon 2-Dec 3. 3pm and 7.30pm. 280-1,980RMB. Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.

Tuesday 3

Crank up the volume at Genome vs Silk

Shanghai-based electronic music collective Genome (Dirty K, Hyph11e, Kilo Vee and Khemist) meet Beijing-based record label Silk at DADA, with special live sets from the likes of Miraisenshi, Noctulicents and Bloodzboi.

DADA 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. Tue 3. 10pm. Tba.

Head to Dianshan Lake for Shalanaya Music Festival

Shalanaya festival returns for its fifth event with three days of music, art and sustainability as part of a celebration encouraging self expression and involvement from all who attend. Expect workshops, live art performances, talks, yoga sessions and more, with a psytrance stage, techno stage and 'a pillow covered chill out area' playing ambient beats.

Dianshan Lake. Tue 3-Thu 5. 11am. 380RMB.

Wednesday 4

Eat all the mooncakes

This year the National Day holiday has coincided with Mid-Autumn Festival (which makes the public holiday an extra long one). Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Wednesday 4, which basically means today is the day for eating all the mooncakes. A somewhat controversial treat (you either love them, or you hate them), the traditional Chinese pastry is generally filled with various kinds of paste or mince. But from Strictly Cookies' 'Mookies' to The Peninsula Shanghai's rich and buttery renditions, we've found the best mooncakes for people who don't like mooncakes.

Get funky at Arkham with Knxwledge

Excellent Los Angeles hip hop beat maker and producer Knxwledge hits Arkham with his soul, jazz and funk-influenced sounds. The Stones Throw-signed artist has worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Anderson Paak and is a highly sought after talent.

Arkham Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. Wed 4. 10pm. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale).

Thursday 5

Geek out at Shanghai Comic Con

Grab your Mjolnir and your utility belt (if you know, you know). One of the world’s largest celebrations of geekdom, Comic Con returns to Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center for its third year this month, bringing with it three days of cutting-edge pop culture, cosplay, celebrity meet-and-greets and an objectively crazy time.

Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center 1099 Guozhan Lu, near Zhoujiadu Lu. Thu 5, 12-6pm; Fri 6, 10am-6pm; Sat 7, 10am-5pm. 120RMB; 98RMB (presale). Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.

Don't miss A$AP Rocky's Shanghai debut at Innersect

A three-day festival (Thu 5-Sat 7) of branded ephemera from Mandopop-badboy-turned-style entrepreneur Edison Chen, Innersect may sound vaguely like a hundred other events you've heard of already this year, but here's why you should care: the most high-profile member of the A$AP mob, rapper A$AP Rocky will be performing live at the festival on the opening night (Thu 5). 

Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre 1099 Guozhan Lu, near Zhoujiadu Lu. Thu 5. From 680RMB (exhibition plus hip hop night). Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.

Friday 6

 Catch a movie

While it's all well and nice being out and about, there's no harm in vegging out in front of a big screen with a vat of popcorn. In cinemas at the moment you can catch the dazzling third entry of the Apes sci-fi series War for the Planet of the Apes; Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan go head-to-head in London-set action-thriller The Foreigner; and Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson starring in silly action-comedy The Hitman's Bodyguard.

Long-press and scan the QR code to see the full list of films on general release.

Saturday 7

Get served at the 2017 Shanghai Rolex Masters

From Saturday 7 to Sunday 15, one of the biggest dates on the ATP World Tour, the 2017 Shanghai Rolex Masters will be showcasing some of the world’s premier tennis talent, including Roger Federer and recently crowned US Open champion Rafael Nadal; alongside rising stars like Alexander Zverev, Hyeon Chung and Nick Kyrgios.

Shanghai Qizhong Tennis Centre 5500 Yuanjiang Lu, near Kunyang Lu. Sat 7-Sun 15. Price and times vary. Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.

Master the art of hairy crab eating with UnTour

Feast like a Tang dynasty emperor at UnTour’s hairy crab feast, where you’ll learn the history of this Chinese delicacy and more importantly stuff yourself on xiaolongbao and crabby meatballs. Hairy crabs: not just for five-star hotels.

Meeting point near Laoximen metro (exact location shared upon sign up). Sat 7. 5.30-8pm. Around 500RMB.

Sunday 8

Watch the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors go head-to-head

No, you haven't accidentally caught a flight to Minneapolis, if such a thing is possible; the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors are coming to Shanghai for some serious NBA pre-season ball.

Mercedes-Benz Arena 1200 Shibo Da Dao, near Shangnan Lu. Sun 8. 6.30pm. From 350RMB.

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If you've just blown a month's salary on a week of spending, fear not, there's still plenty of fun to be had on a tight budget – whether you're chasing a cheap workout, a free culture trip or date ideas on a budget. Here are the best things to do in Shanghai for 25RMB or less. 

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