China

Shanghai

Student Life

Having fun is a big part of studying abroad. We are dedicated to making sure you have a fantastic time and experience all there is to offer.

Sightseeing & Culture

Stroll down the Bund, a riverside stretch of former colonial buildings in the eclectic syles of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Take in the city’s best views from atop the Shanghai World Financial Center which boasts the world’s highest observation deck. Wander through the galleries of the Shanghai Museum and explore the M50 district’s avant-garde contemporary art galleries. Marvel at the marble statue at the Jade Buddah temple and tour the expansive grounds of the Taoist City God Temple. Step into ancient China while floating down the river on a boat tour of Shanghai’s water towns and villages.

Shopping

The pedestrian-only Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s premier shopping avenue, with many outstanding shopping malls like Plaza 66, Citic Plaza and Meilongzhen Plaza, all selling Western fashions. Try the Dongtai Road Antiques Market for authentic Chinese wares.

Sports & Outdoors

Join locals in one of Shanghai’s manicured parks for early morning Tai Chi. Cycle off the beaten path and through the city’s diverse neighborhoods. And relax among the manicured gardens of Yuyuan Gardens where traditional pagodas and coy ponds provide a respite from city life.

Excursions

Glimpse life in ancient Beijing while cycling through the alleys of Beijing’s hutongs. See where East meets West on a trip to Hong Kong and be marveled by the majesty of walking atop the Great Wall of China.

Entertainment & Nightlife

Take a nighttime cruise on the Shanghai Huangpu River and see the city’s skyline sparkle. Frequent the bustling bars and clubs of Hengshan Road in the city’s former French Concession, popular with expats. Mingling with locals is easy at Xintiandi, an upscale entertainment complex filled with restaurants, cafes and bars modeled on traditional Chinese homes.

Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival
May 2012 (annual)

Thousands of tea lovers, experts and producers visit INTEX Shanghai for the Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival, also known as China Tea Expo. Visitors can taste a good few varieties, attend impressive tea ceremonies and visit famous tea spots.

Shanghai International Film Festival
Jun 2012 (annual)

This competitive feature film festival kicks off and ends with celebrities strutting down the red carpet. For those who aren't quite famous enough to attend the opening and closing ceremonies, the film screenings are held in venues across Shanghai.

Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Season Closing Concert
Jun 2012 (annual)

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra closes their nine month season in style with performances of classical masterpieces at The Shanghai Oriental Art Centre. The orchestra is one of the most prestigious in Asia and is well-known for its dazzling performances.

Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Concert
Aug 2012 (annual)

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra starts their nine month season in style with performances of two classical masterpieces at The Shanghai Grand Theatre. The orchestra is one of the most prestigious in Asia and is well-known for its dazzling performances.

Shanghai Sevens
Aug 2012 (annual)

Joining the list of Asian cities on the International Rugby Board (IRB) Asian Rugby Sevens Series, Shanghai proudly hosts competing teams including Japan and Kazakhstan on the grounds of the Yuanshen Stadium where all the action unfolds.

Whisky Live Shanghai
Sep 2012 (annual)

Whisky Live at the Shanghai Exhibition Center turns a passing interest in whisky into a deep appreciation, through mixology demonstrations, tasting sessions and masterclasses extolling the spirit's culinary value. Live entertainment adds to the event's merry, festive feel.

Osmanthus Festival
Aug - Sep 2012 (annual)

During autumn, the sweet-smelling Osmanthus flowers are in full bloom and Shanghai celebrates their beauty and fragrance with a special festival. You'll see locals admiring the flowers on strolls, or over tea, card games and activities like storytelling.

ShContemporary
Sep 2012 (annual)

Thought-provoking works from over 140 international galleries come together for ShContemporary, the Asia Pacific Contemporary Art Fair. Displays of western and eastern works fill the Shanghai Exhibition Center's halls, and outdoor installations, performances and sculptures take over the grounds.

Roewe Shanghai Masters Snooker
Sep 2012 (annual)

The Shanghai Indoor Stadium hosts masterful displays of snooker during the Roewe Shanghai Masters. With top world players like Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and World Champion Neil Robertson competing, there's bound to be some tightly fought frames.

Shanghai Restaurant Week
Sep 2012 (annual)

From tender Chinese drunken chicken to rich French foie gras, Shanghai is known as a gourmet city. Shanghai Restaurant Week provides a good chance to sample some of this fine food, with top establishments offering menus at discounted prices.

Mid-Autumn Festival
Sep 2012 (annual)

The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. As per ancient Chinese tradition, Shanghai locals spend this day with their family eating sweet 'mooncakes' filled with red bean paste and observing the full moon.

Shanghai Art Fair
Sep 2012 (annual)

Shanghai Art Fair aims to connect foreign and local artists under one roof. Over 1000 art galleries, organisations and agencies from 30 countries come together showing original artworks by world-class masters, from Rembrandt to Picasso, at Shanghai Mart.

The Cuisine Festival
Sep 2012 (annual)

The Cuisine Festival turns The Shanghai Exhibition Center into a world of fine food with everything from Chinese food to chocolate to try. Top chefs serve up great dishes and even show you how to make your own.

Shanghai Tourism Festival
Sep - Oct 2012 (annual)

The Shanghai Tourism Festival offers a vast amount of traditional and not-so-traditional entertainment at venues across the city, including a rose wedding ceremony. There's a real buzz of excitement about the place, especially during the colourful opening ceremony parade.

Shanghai International Music Fireworks Festival
Sep - Oct 2012; Wed, Thu, and Sun only (annual)

Crowds gather in Century Park to watch rainbow-coloured fireworks dance in time to musical melodies at Shanghai's International Music Fireworks Festival. Pyrotechnic companies from across the world organise different displays. Past contributors have hailed from Germany and Japan.

The JZ Music Festival Shanghai
Oct 2012 (annual)

The JZ Music Festival Shanghai invites big names in the jazz world to take to the stage at venues in the Chinese city. Covering all genres of jazz, expect to see both national and international musicians on the line-up.

ATP World Tour Masters 1000: Shanghai Rolex Masters
Oct 2012 (annual)

Aside from the Grand Slam, the ATP Masters Series is the highest-ranking tennis competition in the world. Shanghai's Qi Zhong Tennis Centre once hosted the season-ending finals, but now hosts the penultimate round of the year.

Shanghai Pride
Oct 2012 (annual)

Shanghai Pride proudly flies the rainbow flag for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities in China. Launched by a Pink Picnic and an Opening Party, city venues hold events ranging from pub crawls to photography exhibitions and film screenings.

Shanghai International Creative Industry Week
Oct 2012 (annual)

The Shanghai Exhibition Center overflows with innovation during the Shanghai International Creative Industry Week. Be inspired as designers from China and abroad display works which place a new spin on everyday objects or present something completely fresh.

DTM German Touring Car Championship
Nov 2012 (annual)

The DTM German Touring Car Championship heads to the Shanghai Street Circuit for the final race of its tour. Powerful German cars roar through the streets of the city's modern, skyscrapered Pudong district, battling furiously for first place.

HSBC Champions Golf
Nov 2012 (annual)

The HSBC Champions is one of the world's highest-profile golf tournaments, held at the splendid Sheshan Golf Course in the forested hills near Shanghai. Watch famous international golfers as they go for that perfect round.

China Shanghai International Arts Festival
Oct - Nov 2012 (annual)

During the China Shanghai International Arts Festival, the city becomes a mosaic of world arts, with venues hosting an eclectic mix of events from Chinese opera to Russian ballet. Different cultural weeks focus on promoting the talents of selected countries.

Shanghai International Marathon
Dec 2012 (annual)

Come rain or shine, 20,000 runners pound Shanghai's streets for the International Marathon. Anyone who can't face the full distance can enter the Half Marathon or Health Race (4.5km). Failing that, join the cheering spectators and exercise your vocal chords.

Shanghai Oriental Art Centre New Year Concert
Dec 2012 (annual)

See out the old year to the sounds of the Vienna Johann Strauss Waltz Orchestra at the Shanghai Oriental Art Centre's customary New Year Concert.

Chinese New Year
Jan - Feb 2013 (annual)

Shanghai positively explodes with vibrant red during Chinese New Year (also known as the Chinese Spring Festival). There's a plethora of lantern shows, dragon dances, outdoor bazaars and spectacular incessant firework displays.

Lantern Festival
Feb 2013 (annual)

The Lantern Festival, on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marks the end of China's New Year celebrations. In Shanghai, delicate lanterns of all shapes illuminate the Yu Yuan Garden and locals feast on sticky stuffed rice balls.

Shanghai Biennale
Oct 2012 - Feb 2013 (biennial)

Shanghai Art Museum hosts yet another Bienniale of contemporary art. The thought-provoking exhibitions take place over several months and are accompanied by a symposium of talks and conferences by leading art critics and curators.

Longhua Temple Fair
Mar 2013 (annual)

The Longhua Temple fair takes place in the third lunar month, when the peach blossoms are in full bloom and, as the belief goes, a dragon visits to grant people's wishes. Stalls surround the temple selling Chinese food and crafts.

Jue Music + Art Festival
Mar 2013 (annual)

Delve into Shanghai's underground arts scene at the Jue Music + Art Festival. Alternative art exhibitions, theatre and music concerts inject life into March's grey days at venues across the city, such as the Dream Factory and Art Labor Gallery.

Formula One: Shanghai Grand Prix
Apr 2013 (annual)

The Shanghai International Circuit hosts the annual Formula One Chinese Grand Prix. The circuit measures an impressive 5.451km and brave participants have to speed their way through 56 laps.

Nanhui Peach Blossom Festival
Apr 2013 (annual)

Shanghainese herald spring with the blooming of peach blossoms during the Nanhui Peach Blossom Festival. An idyllic sight to behold - visitors stroll under a blanket of pink and red blossoms that cover thousands of acres of orchards.

China International Boat Show
Apr 2013 (annual)

Thousands of visitors fill the Shanghai World Expo Centre to admire high-tech boats and yachts at the China International Boat Show. Side events range from charity regattas and gala dinners to test drives on the Huangpu River.

Art Shanghai
Apr 2013 (annual)

The Art Shanghai fair displays striking contemporary pieces from Chinese and international galleries, studios and institutes. Thousands of collectors, dealers and art enthusiasts browse (and buy) the exhibited works at Shanghai Mart, which can range from paintings to video installations.

Shanghai Student Film Festival
Apr 2013 (annual)

Enter the imaginative minds of teenagers through the medium of film at the Shanghai Community International School's Student Film Festival. Screening films made by students in the classroom, the aim of the festival is to encourage the exchange of new ideas.

Auto Shanghai
Apr 2013 (biennial)

Everything from environmentally-friendly concept vehicles to stunning sports cars is on display at Auto Shanghai. China's biggest motor show fills the halls of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre with exhibits of motoring technology from across the world.

Asian X-Games: Shanghai
Apr - May 2013 (annual)

For four days, the world's best alternative athletes fill Shanghai's KIC Jiangwan Sports Centre and compete for prize money in several categories. The Asian X-Games covers everything from impressive bike stunts to extreme skating manoeuvres that leave spectators gasping.

World Travel Fair
May 2013 (annual)

Tourist boards and tour operators from around the world present their destinations to the public, media and travel industry at Shanghai's World Travel Fair. Browse the booths at the Shanghai Exhibition Center and start planning your next big trip.

Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival
May 2013 (annual)

Thousands of tea lovers, experts and producers visit INTEX Shanghai for the Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival, also known as China Tea Expo. Visitors can taste a good few varieties, attend impressive tea ceremonies and visit famous tea spots.

Shanghai International Film Festival
Jun 2013 (annual)

This competitive feature film festival kicks off and ends with celebrities strutting down the red carpet. For those who aren't quite famous enough to attend the opening and closing ceremonies, the film screenings are held in venues across Shanghai.

Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Season Closing Concert
Jun 2013 (annual)

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra closes their nine month season in style with performances of classical masterpieces at The Shanghai Oriental Art Centre. The orchestra is one of the most prestigious in Asia and is well-known for its dazzling performances.

Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Concert
Aug 2013 (annual)

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra starts their nine month season in style with performances of two classical masterpieces at The Shanghai Grand Theatre. The orchestra is one of the most prestigious in Asia and is well-known for its dazzling performances.

Shanghai Sevens
Aug 2013 (annual)

Joining the list of Asian cities on the International Rugby Board (IRB) Asian Rugby Sevens Series, Shanghai proudly hosts competing teams including Japan and Kazakhstan on the grounds of the Yuanshen Stadium where all the action unfolds.

Whisky Live Shanghai
Sep 2013 (annual)

Whisky Live at the Shanghai Exhibition Center turns a passing interest in whisky into a deep appreciation, through mixology demonstrations, tasting sessions and masterclasses extolling the spirit's culinary value. Live entertainment adds to the event's merry, festive feel.

Osmanthus Festival
Aug - Sep 2013 (annual)

During autumn, the sweet-smelling Osmanthus flowers are in full bloom and Shanghai celebrates their beauty and fragrance with a special festival. You'll see locals admiring the flowers on strolls, or over tea, card games and activities like storytelling.

ShContemporary
Sep 2013 (annual)

Thought-provoking works from over 140 international galleries come together for ShContemporary, the Asia Pacific Contemporary Art Fair. Displays of western and eastern works fill the Shanghai Exhibition Center's halls, and outdoor installations, performances and sculptures take over the grounds.

Roewe Shanghai Masters Snooker
Sep 2013 (annual)

The Shanghai Indoor Stadium hosts masterful displays of snooker during the Roewe Shanghai Masters. With top world players like Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and World Champion Neil Robertson competing, there's bound to be some tightly fought frames.

Shanghai Restaurant Week
Sep 2013 (annual)

From tender Chinese drunken chicken to rich French foie gras, Shanghai is known as a gourmet city. Shanghai Restaurant Week provides a good chance to sample some of this fine food, with top establishments offering menus at discounted prices.

Mid-Autumn Festival
Sep 2013 (annual)

The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. As per ancient Chinese tradition, Shanghai locals spend this day with their family eating sweet 'mooncakes' filled with red bean paste and observing the full moon.

Shanghai Art Fair
Sep 2013 (annual)

Shanghai Art Fair aims to connect foreign and local artists under one roof. Over 1000 art galleries, organisations and agencies from 30 countries come together showing original artworks by world-class masters, from Rembrandt to Picasso, at Shanghai Mart.

The Cuisine Festival
Sep 2013 (annual)

The Cuisine Festival turns The Shanghai Exhibition Center into a world of fine food with everything from Chinese food to chocolate to try. Top chefs serve up great dishes and even show you how to make your own.