Since most expatriates work hard during the week it is important to make something out of the weekend in Shanghai. Many expatriates and Chinese try to leave the city during the weekend, and there are quite a few places to visit in the outskirts and beyond. You can use a variety of means of transportation to get there, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

More distant places can be reached by car. You can buy a road map at the Foreign Languages Bookstore in Fuzhou Lu. It can still be difficult to find the way since the roads are not well marked, so you might want to bring somebody who knows the way, or somebody who speaks Chinese. You can also hire a taxi for the day. Expect to pay approximately RMB 400-700 for a day trip, depending on the driving distance.

The train is another good way to get around, and it is an easy way to mix with the Chinese. Tickets are sold next to the train station at Longmen Hotel, where there is a special ticket office for foreigners and overseas Chinese. You can also reserve tickets in advance, which is advisable for weekend trips to popular spots. As far as contact with the Chinese goes, when traveling hard seat you can get no closer as these coaches are often extremely crowded, and you will have to stand unless you reserve a seat. Comfort and cleanliness is not a priority in this class, so if you are curious to try it for the experience, make sure the trip is a short one. The more comfortable option, soft seat coaches, has no standing passengers, and foreigners are usually seated in one end of the coach, while the Chinese are in the other.

In this section we will introduce you to a number of weekend activities. As for sightseeing, please refer to other guidebooks on Shanghai. You should keep in mind that any place that can be reached by public transportation is inevitably popular with the Chinese, who will go there in large numbers. You must also be aware that you may very well turn out to be the main attraction, as these places are visited by Chinese from all over the country, and many have only had limited or no exposure to foreigners.

Golf

Golf is a popular weekend pastime. There are currently a few international golf courses in operation. The price on each course varies widely depending on player numbers, weekends and times. Below you can find the addresses and contact information

Golf League
Tel: 6445-7556 (Gary)
Comments: Meet at Bourbon Street on Hengshan Rd. Sundays, 10:30am

Shanghai Binhai Golf
Address: Binhai, Nanhai Pudong Shanghai
Tel: 5805 8888

Shanghai Golf Club
Address: 3765 Jiahang Gong Lu, Jiading District
Tel: 5995 0111
Fax: 5995 0222
Comments: 18 holes

Shanghai Grand City Club
Address: 9988 Zhongchun Lu,
Qi Bao Town
Tel: 6419 3676

Shanghai International Golf Country Club
Address: Xinyang Cun, Zhujiajiao Zhen, Qingpu District
Tel: 5972 8111

Shanghai Links Golf and Country Club
Address: 1600 Lingbai Lu, Pudong
Tel: 5897 3068
Fax: 5897 3066
Comments: 18 holes

Shanghai Western Golf & Country Club
Address: 128 Cheting Gong Lu, Che Dung Town, Songjiang District
Tel: 5760 0274

Sweet Golf World
Address: 1266 Nanjing Xi Lu,
Rm 404 66 Plaza
Tel: 6288 0555

Family Outings and public parks

Shanghai is not one of the most children friendly cities though listed below are some options on where to spend your weekend if you have a family and need to take the kids out of the house or the pool for some interaction with the locals.

Aquaria 21
Gate 4, Chang Feng Park, 451 Da Du He Lu, by Jin Sha Jiang Lu and East China Normal University, about 20 min from Hong Qiao Airport
Tel: 5281 8888 ext 6838

Comments: Massive 10,000sqm South American themed underwater world aquarium. Large sharks, rays, sea turtles, penguins and more. Access to scuba equipment and facilities and activities organized by dive club. Adults RMB 80, Children above 1m, RMB 60, Children below 1m free. Daily 9am-5pm.

Century Park (pictured above)
1001 Jin Xiou Lu, Pudong, by Min Sheng Lu
Tel: 5833 5621
Comments: Seven scenic areas, including oriental garden, wildlife area and miniature golf course. Daily 7am-6pm.

Fun Dazzle
780 Changning Lu, in Zhong Shan Park
Tel: 6210 7388
Comments: Indoor playground with floor-to-ceiling connected tunnels, slides, mazes, ball pits and a spooky black light maze. Organizes birthday parties as well. RMB 25. Daily 9am-5pm.

Fuxing Park
Entrance at Fu Xing Lu / Chong Qing Lu
Tel: 6372 0662
Comments: RMB1-5 for 3 min on the bumper cars, jumping bed and other gadgets they have around. Daily 6am-6pm.

Gongqing Forest Park
Address: 2000 Jun Gong Lu
Tel: 6574 0586
Comments: Abundant flowers and trees, BBQ area, leisure sections with fishing, horseback riding, boating.
Daily 6am-4pm.RMB 15.

Guyi Garden
Address: 218 Zhen Nan Lu
Tel: 5912 2225
Comments: Ming Dynasty garden with ancient buildings, waterside pavilions, long verandas, winding waters, ancient trees, flowers and bamboo. Daily 5am-5pm.
Entry RMB 10 (RMB 5 under 1.2m)

Jingan Park
Address: 1649 Nanjing Xi Lu
Tel: 6248 3238
Comments: Free entry to a small and cozy park area with nice restaurants and café’s

Jinjiang Amusement Park
Address: 201 Hong Mei Lu
Tel: 6436 4956
Comments: Carousels, loop-the-loop roller coasters, long rides, bumper cars, tots playground, swinging pirate ship, and horror house.
RMB 60(includes 8 ride tickets). Daily 8am-5pm. Water area is closed.

Luxun Park
146 Dong Jiang Wan Lu
Tel: 6540 0009
Comments: Daily 6am-6pm. Big entertainment section for children.
Entry RMB 2 (RMB 1.4 under 1.2m)

Shanghai Botanical Garden Park
1111 Long Wu Lu, south of Long Hua Lu
Tel: 6451 3369
Comments: Flowers and a lake with duck-shaped boats for rent. Picnic BBQ area too. Daily 7am-5pm.
RMB 8. Free for those under 1.2m.

Shanghai Wild Animal Park
Nan Hui San Zhao Zhen, Pudong
Tel: 5803 6000
Comments: Daily 8am-5pm. RMB 70. RMB for 35 for those under 1.2m.

Traffic Park
101 Zun Yi Lu, close to Sheraton Taipign Yang Hotel in Hong Qiao
Tel: 6259 9446
Comments: For about RMB 1-6/10 min, kids (or parents) can drive among the “streets” of Shanghai(e.g. Huai Hai Lu) in battered but functional electric vehicles ranging from motorbikes to cars. Pedal monorail and small playground (with slide and trampoline) too.
Daily 6am-5.30pm. RMB 1(free if under 1.2m)

Xiangyang Park
1008 Huai Hai Zhong Lu, at Xiang Yang Lu
Tel: 5404 2208
Comments: Bouncy things and little battery operated cars to amuse kids. RMB 1(free under 1.2m). Daily 6am-6pm, last entry 5.30pm.

Zhongshan Park
Address: 780 Chang Ning Lu, at end of Ding Xi Lu.
Tel: 6226 4149
Comments: Huge, with tons of stuff to see and do: Fun Dazzle play area, amusement park, peacocks, fish world, bouncy castle, paintball and more. Better keep a close eye on the kinds.
RMB 2 (free under 1.2m) plus extra to get into some above areas.

Shanghai Zoo
2381 Hong Qiao Lu, by Ha Mi Lu
Tel: 6268 7775
Comments: Green grass, large trees, a couple of ponds, Ferris Wheel, amusement park (sometimes closed), Little Tykes indoors playground and occasional events or exhibitions.
RMB 15, free for kids below 1.2m. Daily 6.30am-5pm

English speaking radio stations

Most radio stations in Shanghai are obviously in Chinese but a few stations do English programming and send a couple of hours every week.

Cha Cha Nightflight 101.7FM

Easy FM 103.7FM
www.ez.fm

Hello from Britain 101.7FM

Joy FM 103.7FM