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Night Life And Entertainment In Shanghai

Shanghai has been called the Paris of the east, now they're saying it's China's New York. But it should be unique. Shanghai is one of the world's greatest cities with an entertainment scene to match. Stylish restaurants, quality cuisine and a nightlife that's full of surprises. Shanghai has always had healthy cultural scene, with cinemas showing foreign and Chinese films, and theatres featuring opera, dance, drama, acrobatics and puppets. as a common understanding, Shanghai has the most colorful nightlife in China. But if you have ever participated, you may feel it is probably the most colorful one in the world!
Nightclubs and bars are always booming, with joints opening and closing faster than night can turn into day. Barflies now have a choice of everything from glamorous art deco lounges to the seediest watering hole; live rock and jazz can be heard into the wee hours and the dance club scene now employs djs, foreign and local, to keep the younger set raving.
 
Huangpu River Night Cruise
 
Huangpu River Night CruiseHuangpu river cruises run from 10am until 9pm and the cruises after 6pm are most popular. They provide a spectacular view of the Bund and Pudong District by night. It is rated by some as equal to that of Hong Kong harbor at night.
 
The regular cruise ships start from the Bund and pass the Oriental Pearl TV & Radio Tower, Binjiang Avenue and return to the Bund after reaching Yangpu Bridge. This is the most spectacular view. This allows passengers to appreciate the contrast of modern skyscrapers with the classical European buildings which are beautifully lit. Cruises including dinner are available for about 200 Yuan/person or just take in the sights for 100 Yuan/person. The cruises last for 40 minutes to 1 hour.
 
The cruise ships are operated by 3 cruise companies. Routes and prices may vary a little but all ships include the main sights.
 
Shanghai Service Travel Center
 
Office Add: NO 18, Lujiabing Road, Shanghai City 
Ticket Office: N0 501, Dong Er Road of Zhongshan Road
Dock Add: Area A, NO 501, Dong Er Road of Zhongshan Road 
Regular Night Cruise Ships operating time: 18:30, 18:45, 19:30, 20:30, 20:45
Watch a Night Show
 
Shanghai Acrobatic ShowNight shows are a highlight of Shanghai nightlife and Shanghai has many to offer. The most special and popular ones for foreigners are Shangcheng Acrobatic Show and Era Intersection of Time.
 
Shangcheng Acrobatic Show 
 
You may have seen acrobatic shows on TV, but there is nothing like it live on the stage! The show consists of about nine different 10-minute performances, ranging from classic acrobatics to contortionist and comic sketches. The show lasts 1 1/2 hours.
 
The show is on the 4th floor of the theater and ticket can be purchased at the entrance of the theater.
 
Add: Shangcheng Theater, No.1376 Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District 
Price: 200 Yuan-280 Yuan/person
Getting There: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Nanjing West Road Station.
Tel: 021-62797132
 
Era Intersection of Time 
 
The show combines 8 performances by acrobatics, singing, dancing and some modern effects. They are Mirror Mirage, Magic Water, Floating Gondola, and Music of ERA, Jar Juggling, Wheel of Life, Forever and Space Motorcycles. Forever and Space Motorcycles are highlights. The seats are “in the round” so cheaper tickets still provide a good view. Photography is prohibited.
 
The shows promoters say “if you miss the Era, you miss Shanghai”. It is staged at Shanghai Circus World and lasts about 1 1/2 hours. The show starts daily 19:30. There is no discount for children. Ticket office is at the entrance of Shanghai Circus World.
 
Add: NO 2266, Gonghexin Road, Zha Bei District(near Guangzhongxi Road) 
Price: $21/person; $36/person; $53/person; $70/person; $104/person
Getting there: Take Metro Line 1 and get off at Shanghai Circus World Station 
Tel: 021-56656622
 
Explore Night Markets
 
Night markets are definitely a good way to see a city and experience local life. Shanghai is no exception. The night markets are usually local food streets and grocery streets.
 
Local Food Streets
 
Shanghai Street FoodsStreet food is very popular with locals, especially the young people. Good food is very easy to sell. Most night markets starts at about 8:00 pm and close at almost 1:00 am.
 
Changli Road 
There are many different goods sold on this street but the street food is most famous. The most popular food is Zhou Bin Chou Tofu (Smelly Tofu). 2 hours is enough time to explore the market.
 
Add: Changli Road, Pudong District
Getting There: Take Metro Line 13 and get off at Changqing Road Station 
 
Tongbei Road 
The main offering is seafood. It starts at 5:00 pm and close at 3:00 am. The most famous restaurant is Lao Si Shao Kao Restaurant(老四烧烤馆). 2 1/2 hours is recommended for the visit.
 
Add: Tongbei Road of Pingliang Road, Yangpu District 
Getting there: Take Metro Line 4 and get off at Dalian Road Station
 
Shouning Road 
Barbecue is a major highlight of Shouning Road and especially crayfish. Er Zi Barbecue Restaurant  is very popular. It provides take-way service so that visitors could enjoy crayfishes in other restaurants and taste barbecues from Er Zi Shan Kao Restaurant also.
 
Add: Shouning Road, Huangpu District 
Getting there: Take Metro Line 3 and get off at Great World Station 
 
Other Night Markets
 
These night markets are very popular with locals because they provide almost everything cheaply. Clothing, hats, shoes, flowers, animals, books and CD are all available. Street food is also available.
 
Linfen Road 
Add: Linfen Lu, Zhabei District 
Getting there: Take Metro Line 1 and get off at Pengpuxin Village Station 
 
Zhongyuan Road 
Add: Zhongyuan Lu, Yangpu District
Getting there: Take Metro Line 8 and get off at Xiangyin Road Station 
 
Dongchang Road 
Add: Dongchang Road, Pudong District 
Getting there: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Dongchang Road Station
 
Zhongshan Park Station of Metro Line 2 
Add: Transfer Channel between Metro Line 2 and Line 3 at the entrance of Zhongshan Park Station 
Getting there: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Zhongshan Park Station 
 
Night Walks
 
The Bund at NightShanghai by night can be simply enjoyed by yourself and combined with dinner or a drink. The French Concession, the Bund, Xintiandi and Sinan Mansions are quite easy to enjoy by yourself. Road signs are good. These areas provide good photo opportunities.
 
Former French Concession has many cafes and specialty stores which sell interesting items. The French Concession is a very popular and trendy area.
 
Hengshan Road, in another part of the French Concession has a pub culture and is a great place to watch a football game, listen to live music, dance etc.
 
With many good restaurants, outdoor seating and live tunes music, Xintiandi has become the hub for nightlife in Shanghai and Sinan Mansions has a number of high end cocktail bars.
 
On the other side of the road is the Bund where bars of all sorts abound. Bar Rouge is considered the must-go place for first timers. It has a great view but is expensive. Reservations may be required.
 
Shanghai Cinema
 
Whether you are looking to escape the summer heat, pass a rainy day or are devout movie enthusiasts, Shanghai cinemas will have exactly what you are looking for, if not more. While there are many theaters in town to choose from, here are a few of the more popular and unique options.
 
Shanghai Clubs & Bars
 
Cloud 9
A must for every visitor to Shanghai is cloud 9, located on the 87th floor. from here, the highest point of grand hyatt hotel in Jin mao tower, the city can be observed in 360 degrees in a romantic yet dramatic setting. perched on the 87th floor of the grand hyatt, cloud 9 is the highest bar in the world, which has been recorded in the list of guinness. It has unparalleled views of Shanghai from among -- and often above -- the clouds. Westerners tend to take their tall drinks up to the sky lounge one floor up where you can sit on the deck and gaze out on the curve of the earth. the sky-high views come with sky-high prices; there's a spending minimum of y95 per person. If you're lucky, maybe the chinese fortuneteller who makes nightly rounds of the candlelit tables will tell you that wealth is in your future.
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