Spring Break: Places in Shanghai You Have to Visit

Spring break is right around the corner, but do you really want to be spending it at home the whole time? I hope not. Being fortunate enough to live in such a flourishing city, we all should go outside and soak up more of the Shanghai culture (not the air!). Here are five places in Shanghai you should definitely go check out this spring break.

Disneyland Park
Address: Huangzhao Rd, Pudong Xin Qu

Disneyland Park on Opening Day. Photo from Insider

When the construction of a Disneyland in Shanghai was announced in 2014, we were all excited. Now that it’s open—and has been for a while now—it is time for you to go if you haven’t already! Since most of Shanghai does not have a spring break, going on a week day will rid of the usual "people mountain people sea" occurrence. The average price of a one-day adult ticket is 370 RMB. Not that bad, right? You can easily get there via subway; Disney is the last stop on line 11. Once you get off the subway, follow the signs and in no time, you’ll be at Mickey Avenue, the entrance to the park. Shanghai’s Disneyland consists of seven themed areas. Other than Mickey Avenue, you can also explore Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Treasure Cove, Adventure Isle, Tomorrowland, and Toy Story Land. Some of the most popular rides include TRON Lightcycle Power Run in Tomorrowland and the Roaring Rapids in Adventure Isle. If you also want good food, no problem. Disney’s classic churro is a must-have.

DISC Indoor Go-Karting Stadium
Address: 809 Zaoyang Rd, HuaShiDa, Putuo Qu

The indoor go-karting stadium on an empty day. Photo from SmartShanghai

Who knew you could experience go-karting in Shanghai? While there are other go-karting places, this one is labeled as one of Asia’s biggest and most professional go-karting stadiums. The DISC go-karting stadium’s race track is 550 meters, and offers three types of race karts for you to choose from: single kart, priced at 100 RMB for eight minutes; single high speed race kart, priced at 120 RMB for eight minutes; and a twin kart for two people to ride together, priced at 130 RMB for eight minutes. Helmets and clean head covers are provided by the workers there, who are nice and ensure your safety. The stadium also includes a mini arcade as well as a bar-like area for people to chat and rest.

HongPa Villa

A decorated room in a Hongpa Villa with couches and a pool table. Photo from meituan.com

Need new ideas for friend hangouts? Try out a HongPa party. You can rent a room for a set amount of time designed just for play—some come with pool tables, Wii, cards, KTV, couches and projectors for movie watching, and more. There are numerous different HongPa villas in Shanghai; some decent ones include iParty HongPa Villa (307 Daxue Rd, #301), E-House HongPa Villa (388 Dushi Rd North Fudi Bridge City) , and a HongPa Villa where you rent an entire mansion: Homelike HongPa Mansion (Gulou Hwy, Songjiang Qu). Prices can range from 92 to 500 RMB per person.

A Hongpa Villa room with a sports and gaming theme. Photo from agoda.com

1933 Old Slaughterhouse 
Address: 10 Shajing Rd, Hongkou Qu

The entrance to the 1933 Slaughterhouse. Photo from Becky Ances

By now we all know that M50 and Moganshan Road are the places to go for artsy, aesthetically pleasing photos. If you’re looking for a new site for your mini photo shoot or simply somewhere to explore, check out the 1933 Old Slaughterhouse. Built in the early twentieth century, the Old Slaughterhouse is a four-story concrete maze. It was originally built as an abattoir—where animals are butchered for eating purposes. Now, it hosts cafes, shops, restaurants, and creative office areas for design and architecture companies. The Old Slaughterhouse attracts both professional and amateur photographers due to its amazing architecture, featuring concrete air bridges and unique outer designs.

The concrete staircases that make up the Old Slaughterhouse. Photo from lacasapark.com

Bowl’d
Address: 248 Nanchang Rd, Luwan Qu

Three açai bowls from Bowl’d. Photo from CityWeekend

Craving those açai bowls you see all over Instagram? Bowl’d’s has your back! A cozy little vegan cafe, Bowl’d serves açai bowls, smoothies, and healthy juices. Go Nuts is a frequently ordered bowl, consisting of açai, cocoa, granola, coconut, blueberries, and nuts. Although the pricing of 46 RMB might seem expensive, the fresh ingredients, generous portion, and amazing taste make it all worth the money.

The Go Nuts açai bowl. Photo from CityWeekend

Allison Ma