17 things you forgot happened in Shanghai in 2017

Unsplash: Yiran Ding

As 2017 draws to a close, we take a look back at 17 things that happened this year that you've probably forgotten about, and we don't mean paying your utility bills, re-registering with the police after moving apartments, or calling your mum on her birthday.

1. Shanghai updated its 'Seven Don'ts' of public behaviour

'Don't waste food', 'Don't cut in line', 'Don't let pets disturb neighbours', 'Don't park vehicles in a disorderly manner' and 'Don't make noise' were added to the list of social no-nos this year. Annoying loved-up couples making out next to you on the metro are still safe, for now...

2. A Victoria's Secret flagship store opened on Huaihai Zhong Lu

Fancy lingerie and sportswear and confused boyfriends, husbands and partners trying to decide whether it's worth dropping half a month's rent on a bra. The private fitting room is the most well-lit room on the planet. #NoFilter. And of course, the show was here too.

3. An American woman put herself up for auction at the Shanghai marriage market

There's no hotter ticket in town than a spousal visa for Trump's America... Buying the right to live in America is a bit like buying a Samsung phone of late: it’s reputable, popular and world renowned, but there’s always a small chance of everything going up in flames.

4. Shanghai's new 'extremely strict' driving regulations came into force

The 'most stringent' traffic laws enforced in the history of Shanghai. The regulations dictate that passengers can be fined for not wearing seatbelts, children under 12 are not allowed in the front seat of cars and men can't drive yellow vehicles on weekends. (One of these isn't true.)

5. Farine was shut for allegedly using expired flour

A blow for Shanghai's croissant lovers as popular French bakery Farine was shut after it was reported that products were being made using expired flour. 

6. Ultraviolet was named the 41st best restaurant in the world

Paul Pairet's multi-sensory culinary concept and dining experience that's described as a 'post-modern work of genius' was named number 41 on World's 50 Best Restaurants. Saizeriya didn't quite make the cut.

7. Forty-three of Shanghai's parks opened round the clock

That's right. Forty-three places to have a late-night picnic or a 5am game of frisbee, including Zhongshan Park and Xiangyang Park. PARK LIFE! 

8. Australian Football League came to Shanghai

Muscular men in vests and short shorts with an elongated rugby ball on a cricket field, The Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide played the first AFL match ever to be contested for premiership points outside of Australia or New Zealand, as part of China and Australia’s Year of Tourism.

9. We all thought VPNs were going to be blocked by next year

News of a supposed VPN ban back in July terrified us all – especially Shanghai's rooftop Instagrammers – but was quickly quashed later in the week. We haven't felt quite out of the water since then, though, especially when Apple removed most VPNs from their App Store.

10. Justin Bieber was banned from China

Is it too late now to say sorry? Probably, yes. Justin Bieber was forbidden from bringing his Purpose World Tour to Shanghai this past autumn after the Chinese authorities deemed him to have caused 'discontent among the public'.

11. China banned multiple imported cheeses

Bieber then cheese. Our cheeseboards and grilled cheese favourites were dealt a temporary blow after various soft cheeses including brie, camembert and goat cheese were blacklisted by authorities at the end of August, only for the ban to then be lifted in October. Grate.

12. Ultra Festival landed in Shanghai

EDM festival behemoth Ultra made its China debut in September, bringing with it The Chainsmokers, Martin Garrix and Armin van Buuren. The weather wasn't the best, but it was nowhere near as bad as the deluge that hit aptly named Storm Festival later in the month.

13. The new Fuxing bullet train let us get to Beijing 30 minutes faster

Wi-Fi, more leg room, a higher cabin, charger ports and the chance join a queue to get into the Forbidden City half an hour earlier. There were also plans revealed about a 2,000kph train (that may well kill us all) that would get us to the capital in just 30 minutes. Let's just say we're not fully convinced...

14. Shanghai was named the best place in China for expats

We already knew it, but it's nice to have it confirmed: Shanghai was named the best place in China for expats. Home to the beautiful leafy streets of the Former French Concession, the sights of the Bund and the Lujiazui skyline, it's no wonder the city has received this recognition.

15. The city announced a plan to reduce air pollution by 2030

Vice Mayor Weng Tiehui outlined the Shanghai Health 2030 plan, which is aiming to curb air pollution and have 'good' air quality in the city for at least 80 percent of the days of the year by 2030. We don't advise holding your breath until then.

16. Elon Musk proposed a 39-minute New York to Shanghai rocket trip

Get to the Big Apple quicker than it takes your Sherpa's order to arrive. The rocket would be capable of travelling up to 27,000kph and would be able to complete most earth-based journeys in around half an hour. Mad, that.

17. Speak Low was named the tenth best bar in the world

Shingo Gokan's hidden behind a bookcase, makes you look kind of stupid when you're pulling on all the books, Fuxing Zhong Lu speakeasy broke into the top ten ranked bars in the world and once you've tried the Pandan Milk Punch or the Kiwi Gimlet, you'll realise why.

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