China’s most cosmopolitan city prides itself on its spectacular arts and entertainment scene. Huge investment in cultural venues in recent years means Shanghai now has several world-class theatres and concert halls, which regularly stage musicals, concerts, dance performances, Chinese opera, drama and even rock concerts throughout the year. For a detailed list of performances in Shanghai, check out www.culture.sh.cn. You can book tickets via the website hotline (6217 2426) or direct with the venue.
Ballet at the Shanghai International Culture and Art Festival
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Dance and acrobatics
Local talent includes the excellent Shanghai Ballet and the Jin Xing Modern Dance Company. A must-see is the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, justly renowned for its breathtaking contortions and stunts mixed with multimedia technology – the group performs at Circus World and the Shanghai Gong Stage near the Bund.
Music and opera
Founded in 1952, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra has since carved out a reputation for solid musicianship. For a more local flavour, check out the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra – it was China’s first large-scale modern ensemble made up of traditional Chinese instruments. The centre for Chinese opera is the Yifu Theatre. Occasionally, the oldest form of Chinese opera (Kunju), which originated in the nearby town of Kunshan, is performed here too.
Film
Despite the abundance of cheap counterfeit DVDs, cineplexes continue to be popular. Most Chinese films are shown without subtitles. Hollywood blockbusters are screened in English with Chinese subtitles at selected cinemas; otherwise they are dubbed into Chinese. China’s booming film industry is currently the world’s second-largest, with a huge movie-making output and new cinemas being opened across the country. Hollywood is also regularly inspired by Shanghai – several scenes from the 2012 James Bond movie Skyfall were shot in the city.
Art galleries
The largest concentration of galleries is at M50 (No. 50 Moganshan Road). Clustered here in old warehouses by Suzhou Creek are some of the city’s most interesting art galleries showcasing cutting-edge works. Entrance to the galleries is usually free, and most are closed on Sundays or Mondays (it’s best to call ahead to confirm). Two state-run modern art institutions occupy refitted structures from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. The China Art Palace (Zone A, Pudong Rd, World Expo Park Pudong) is housed in the red crown-like former China Pavilion in Pudong, and the Power Station of Art (Lane 20, Huayuangang Rd) is located in an 1890s power plant on the opposite bank of the Huangpu River.
The city’s major art festival, the Shanghai Biennale, takes place in even-numbered years at the Power Station of Art, while the privately run BolognaFiere ShContemporary, held in September, features cutting-edge Chinese contemporary art.
Nightlife
Shanghai really comes alive after dark. The more upscale bars are along the Bund, Xintiandi and dotted throughout the former French Concession and Jing’an district. Other popular bar strips can be found along Yongfu Road and Yongkang Road.
While Shanghai’s live music scene is not as vibrant as Beijing’s, the city does hold its own. A handful of underground clubs, including the Shelter and Yuyintang, host live rock gigs and celebrity DJs, but jazz has been king in Shanghai since the 1920s. The city has several first-rate jazz clubs that attract top musicians from China and around the world – JZ Club and House of Blues & Jazz are favourites. Drinks prices are comparable to other major world cities.
Shanghai’s free listings magazines and nightlife websites provide extensive bar and nightclub listings as well as current events. The most reliable sources of information are www.smartshanghai.com and City Weekend (www.cityweekend.com.cn).
Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe
Photoshot
Festivals
The city hosts a wide range of annual festivals, generally held during the milder months of spring and autumn. Chinese festivals such as Chinese New Year (January/February) and the Mid-Autumn Festival (September) involve fireworks, temple visits, dragon boat races and other traditional celebrations.
Government-sponsored cultural festivals, including the Shanghai International Film Festival (June), Shanghai Fashion Week (April/October) and Shanghai International Culture and Arts Festival (October/November), are steadily growing in stature. Well-run independent festivals to look out for are the Shanghai Literary Festival and JUE Music + Art (both held in March), and the biannual Eco Design Fair (April/November).