Let’s face it. Most fully furnished apartments in Shanghai weren’t designed by the most enthusiastic interior decorators. Chances are the furniture leaves much to be desired, never mind the endless expanses of blank white wall. It’s hard to make ... Read More>>
Finding a decent steak in Shanghai was a virtual impossibility just a decade ago. Now, the city is flush with good cuts of beef, and with rumours circling about the possibility of restrictions on USDA imports being lifted, it looks like 2011 could be the ... Read More>>
Shanghai is a city where things change fast. Whether it’s breaking news or a new bar opening up, there’s always something going on. In the first of our new Shanghai Roundup column, we’ve gathered the best bits to keep you updated on what’s going ... Read More>>
While it’s never easy adjusting to a brand new culture and way of life when moving to China, some milestones are easier than others. Many people struggle their first year in Shanghai, but find that the excitement and newness of everything more than makes ... Read More>>
As anyone with feet over a European size 38 (US 7.5) knows, finding decent shoes in Shanghai can be tricky. There’s nothing more disheartening than shopping with small-footed friends who seem to find exactly what they’re looking for among the racks, while ... Read More>>
Up until a few years ago, Tsingtao was pretty much the only reasonable beer on tap in Shanghai. Now, thanks to many beer aficionados turned bar owners, the city is swimming in a sea of frothy hops imported from beer capitals around the world (we’re looking ... Read More>>
It's no secret that Shanghai has a gluttonous amount of artistic venues full of song, art and acting. It is a talented city, full of budding thespians and aspiring artists. But with all the different artistic organizations competing for audiences and ticket ... Read More>>
Although Shanghai’s dining scene can be somewhat hit and miss, it really is a foodie’s haven, with most international cuisines represented, and every budget catered for. But if you’ve sampled everything the city has to offer your palate and yearn for ... Read More>>
One of my favorite things about Shanghai is the total and utter freedom people exhibit when it comes to clothing choices. I’ve seen grunge, prep, goth… you name it, Shanghai has got it (including a girl in a taffeta party dress and heels walking down the ... Read More>>
China may not be renowned for its excellent cheeses. With one notable exception (which we’ll come to a bit later), the only way to find good cheese is at Shanghai’s imported goods shops, and the Western goods aisles at the big supermarkets. Unfortunately, ... Read More>>
In addition to its gluttony of dive bars and dance clubs, Shanghai is actually a great place for more cultured endeavors. Whether it’s literature, art, theatre, or film, you can find it all here, along with a like-minded group of people with whom to share ... Read More>>
Read Temple City Part I Exploring Shanghai’s Buddhist Shrines here. Read More>>
Asking people who they think is the best DJ in Shanghai is like asking what the best religion is – the answers will vary wildly, it always spark a lively (if not violent) debate, and will ultimately remain unresolved. Nevertheless, there are definitely ... Read More>>
It’s hardly breaking news that decent bread can be hard to find in Shanghai. Local chain bakeries churn out sickly-sweet loaves, and even imported goods aisles in big supermarkets offer little but rock-hard baguettes. The good news is that there are ... Read More>>
Making a good cocktail is an art form, and while the Chinese have paper cutting down to a science, mixology is a skill they’re still struggling to master. Lucky for denizens of Shanghai, the Japanese have imported their mature brand of cocktail bars to the ... Read More>>
Spending Christmas as an expat in Shanghai can sometimes be difficult: thousands of miles away from your family and missing the festive traditions of your home country. However, Shanghai actually has plenty to offer if you know where to look. It’s easy to ... Read More>>
While religion was all but outlawed when the Communists took power, plenty of beautiful Buddhist temples remain in Shanghai – many of which are still used by those wanting to worship in a country with no official deities. Some temples were put to secular ... Read More>>
Located right in the heart of the former French Concession, leafy Yongfu Lu is one of those archetypal Shanghai streets. It’s got the plane trees that curve over the road, the Art Deco villas, the narrow lanes, and in recent years it has developed into a ... Read More>>
Turning up in a new city where you know no one, nor speak the language, can be scary. We all need friends. No man is an island. So how do you go about finding comrades in Shanghai? Well, there are many strategies. Here are just a few options that should ... Read More>>
If you want to start a controversial conversation amongst expats in Shanghai, just ask them what restaurant has the best pizza. Thin or thick crust, sweet or savory tomato sauce, wood-fired grill or old-fashioned oven: the options are seemingly endless. And ... Read More>>
Having a haircut in Shanghai can be rather hit or miss. Many an unsuspecting laowai has headed to their local chop-shop only to emerge with a follicular massacre on their head. A mixture of language problems and Chinese salons not being used to styling ... Read More>>
Thanksgiving is upon us once again (for non-Americans and those just completely out of the loop – it falls on Thursday, November 25 this year), which means Americans around the world will participate in that time-honoured tradition of eating ridiculous ... Read More>>
One of Shanghai’s most interesting and exciting new openings has to be the Jiashan Market complex (嘉善市场) just off Shaanxi Nan Lu. It’s been in development since the spring, and hosted the first Eco Design Fair in April, but has only recently filled up ... Read More>>
It’s November, which means Americans are training our stomachs in preparation of one of our most needlessly gluttonous holidays. That’s right, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and American expats in Shanghai are already on the lookout for their next ... Read More>>