Spice up your family trip to Shanghai with these under-the-radar activities!
International visitors to China tend to shy away from Shanghai, perhaps scared off by its sheer size and scale. The 2016 opening of Shanghai Disney did a good job of putting the city on the map as a family destination, but it’s still rare to see Shanghai cropping up on any lists of top spots for family vacays. That doesn’t guarantee a crowd-free experience, as the big attractions are usually heaving with Chinese tourists. Leaving obvious examples such as the zoo and Disney aside, though, Shanghai actually has a whole lot to offer visitors with kids. And while younger visitors’ patience may run dry at the thought of being dragged around one more temple or garden, our guide to the best off-the-beaten-track sights and attractions in Shanghai shows there’s more to this mega-city than shiny skyscrapers and Frozen-themed roller coasters.
Go See Some Art
Visitors to Shanghai would never spot this museum if they didn’t know it was there, but the prosaically-named Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center is one of the most fascinating spots in the city for anyone with an interest in China’s recent history. The kids may baulk at the idea of visiting a museum all about posters, but telling kids that this is a “secret gallery” may boost their interest. It certainly looks the part–visitors will descend to the basement of an unmarked and outwardly unremarkable tower blocks, which houses a collection of some 5,000 propaganda posters. These posters were all painstakingly collected from across the country, spanning the years from the late 1940s to the 1970s. English-language tags explain the meaning behind each of the images, entrance is less than $5 USD, and a gift shop sells affordable replicas of the most iconic posters. If that whets your appetite for quirky culture, it’s worth noting that Shanghai’s other under-the-radar museums include ones dedicated to chopsticks, typewriters, and Jackie Chan. Something that might better appeal to kids and teens is the Shanghai Animation and Comics Museum.
Enjoy the Island Life
A drive over the Yangtze via one of China’s longest bridges takes families in China to what feels like another world entirely. Gone are the smog and the skyscrapers! At Chongming Island, there are protected wetlands and forests, bird sanctuaries and eco-farms, and an impressive Confucian temple. There’s also an intriguing cultural calendar with highlights including an annual Hairy Crab festival, when visitors can chow down on one of the region’s biggest culinary delicacies. Although there are some high-end hotels (need some ideas for luxurious travel in China?) at the eastern side of the island, elsewhere there is ample opportunity for off-grid adventures, farm visits and general romping around.
See World Class Acrobatics
Ok, it’s hardly a low-key experience, but the edge-of-town location means that the mega-budget Shanghai Circus World often falls off the to-do list for families visiting Shanghai. There are several kid-pleasing shows to catch, but by far the most astonishing is ERA-Intersection of Time, where families can watch incredibly talented acrobats perform all manner of gravity-defying flips, twists and balances set against dazzling light displays. The visual nature of the show neatly removes any possible language barriers, and vendors sell cheap-and-cheerful glowing wands, much to children’s delight. Located in Zhabei District, Shanghai Circus World has its own metro station, so it’s not strictly necessary to go as part of a tour or with a private driver. Haven’t gotten your fill of adventurous Chinese activities? Check out our article on crazy family outings in China!
Eat, Drink, and Be Happy
Travel-frazzled parents can lower their stress levels/check emails/sip a strong drink at PonPon Kids Cafe in the somewhat fancy Gubei District. It might not be cheap, but mums and dads may actually get to finish a meal, as kids busy themselves at a tree-house style book corner, play in the sandpit or create their own culinary magic at a mockup miniature kitchen. The usual easy eats such as sandwiches, pasta, cakes and pastries keep energy levels from flagging.
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