Shanghai is the right city in China for entertainment. The city not only has great restaurants and bars but also ,the biggest selection of theatre (outside of Hong Kong), film and art available anywhere in China. And this selection is of a class and quality which is sophisticated enough to compete with most western cities.

Shanghai has a number of performance troupes famed at home and abroad, such as Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Ballet Troupe, Shanghai Kunqu Opera Company, Shanghai Beijing Opera Company, Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe and Shanghai Shaoxing Opera Theatre, etc. Besides, there are lots of popular singers, accompaniment orchestra etc. taking active role in ball-room, Gong hall and bar.

On the theatre and the stage, there are regular acrobatics displays, a MUST for travelers to the city. Even the most doubtful spectator, will not fail to be enthralled and amused by the incredible flexibility and strength of these performers. The Acrobats performance in the Shanghai Center (Nanjingxi Road) and the old Lyceum Theatre (Maoming Road). It is always worth checking out the magnificent Grand Theatre to see what is on too. The Theatre regularly hosts Chinese and Western operas, classical music performances and various plays. There are also regular Western films on at some of the city's entertainment centers.

Shanghai attracts most of the famous Chinese musicians and also pulls in western and Japanese performers and DJs on a regular basis. Currently, the best bars are around Maoming Road and nearby. Park 97 is a stylish bar in the heart of the French Concession and O'Malleys is a friendly Irish joint right in the heart of things. Browse our Bar and Club Index for the latest places to hang out.Check out the Shanghai Stadium to see who's in town, or the listing's in the city magazine That's Shanghai.

The City's contemporary art scene is impressive too. Shanghai, long the center of more radical ideas is now one of the most important city's in China for young and new artists from throughout the country to display their work. Shanghai has a long list of art galleries including ShangArt in Fuxing Park and EastLink on Fuxing Road. Aside from these, there are also some good exhibitions in the Shanghai Museum in People's Square.

Naturally there are all the usual Chinese favorites too. Bowling alleys, Karaoke halls and Computer Games rooms are scattered throughout the city. Another favorite Shanghai past time is Tai Chi, which is also great to watch especially after a night on the town taking in the city life. Why not take a wander along the Bund at dawn, for a taste of a different kind of entertainment.

Shanghai Grand Theater
Shanghai Grand Theater was designed by a French architect. It has a seating capacity of 2,000. The exterior is built of transparent glass screen wall. There is an open-air theater on top and an indoor theater. Many of the top directors, singers and dancers in the world have performed their famous pieces here. When night falls, the crystal-like theater glitters in infinite brilliance, giving people an impression of metropolitan art. Located at the People's Square, the city's heart, the Shanghai Grand Theatre occupies an area of 2.1 hectares, facing the People's Boulevard in the south, along Huangpi Beilu in the west, next to the Shanghai Municipal Building in the East. With its unique style and beautiful outlook, the theatre has become a representative building in Shanghai, whose existence renders the People's Square virtually the city's center of politics and culture.

Old Men Jazz Bar
The Old Men Jazz Band in the Jazz Bar in Peace Hotel is the first and most reputable jazz band in Shanghai. The band consists of 6 members, who have worked as musicians for more than 60 years. Their average age is over 70. The band is specialized in playing the popular music of the '30s and '40s, with a repertory of over 300 world-famous pieces. It has formed a unique style of its own. It has been invited on performance tours of Japan, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and much applauded by the audience there.

Theaters Name Location and Tel Nos. Major Performance
Shanghai Concert Hall #523 Yanandong Road
Tel: 63869153 symphony, recital, chorus etc.
Yifu Stage, Tianchan
Beijing Opera Center #201, Fuzhouzhong Road
Tel: 63514668 Shanghai opera, Kunqu opera, Beijing opera and Shaoxing Opera etc.
The Great Theatre of China #704, Niuzhuang
Tel: 63517389 Ballet, dances.

Kara OK Halls Names Location Telephone
Shanghai Xizeshi Club 6th Floor, #328, Nanjingdong Road 63521404
Blue Ribbon International
Friendship Center 8th Floor, #527, Huaihaizhong Road 63589999
Caesar Palace, Hongqiao Hotel #2000,Yananxi Road

Disco Plazaes: Names Address Telephone
New York Disco Plaza #146,Huqiu Road Tel: 63215611
Tongtong Disco Plaza #80, Xinchang Road Tel: 63591636
Time Disco Plaza #550 Huaihaizhong Road Tel: 63275566
Milky Way Recreation Center
Disco Plaza #888 Zhongshanxi Road Tel: 62755888
La Disco Plaza #188 Huaihaizhong Road Tel: 63867093

Bowling Halls: Names Address Telephone
Shanghai High Score Bowling Halls #456 Dongjiangwan Road Tel: 56711111
Shanghai Oudeng Bowling Halls #10 Hengshan Road Tel: 64746666
Shanghai Palace Bowling Halls #77 Songshan Road Tel: 63555118
Shanghai Hongyun Bowling Halls #1127 Kongjiang Road Tel: 65703330

Cultural Festivals: "Shanghai Spring" concert On odd days, May, every other year
Shanghai Cultural Festival of International Costume In September, every year
Shanghai International Film Festival On odd days, October or November every other year
Shanghai TV Festival On even days, November, every other year