Weary of crowds? Explore the tranquil alternatives
By Pan Zheng |
July 31, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE summer holiday season is upon us, and this year there are the delights of World Expo Shanghai to explore. But if you hanker to get away from the queues and crowds at weekend Expo and yearn for quieter environs to enjoy an outing, the Minhang District has something for you. Here's a guide to some of the best sites the district has to offer. Pan Zheng takes a look.
Dino Beach
As a member of the World Waterpark Association, the Dino Beach is not only the biggest water park of Shanghai but also one of the biggest in Asia. It can accommodate more than 8,000 visitors, and attracts more than 300,000 visitors a year from home and abroad. The park covers about nine hectares, with over 30 exciting water entertainment sites and 60 professional lifeguards to ensure safety at all time. Hungry? The park also boasts an array of eateries serving hamburgers, fried chicken, sodas, ice cream and other summer delights.
If you want to fully enjoy what Dino Beach has to offer, there are two must stops: Thunderbolt River and Storm Beach. Thunderbolt River is the longest waterway in a park setting in Asia at a length of 1.2 kilometers. Visitors in boats can experience an eerie ice tunnel and a strong storm. The trip gives one the feeling of being a castaway riding the waves into the unknown. Storm Beach has the biggest artificial wave pool in Asia and a clean beach for visitors to enjoy beach volleyball, water polo and other entertainment.
For youngsters, there are attractions such as the Pirate Boat, the Happy Water Factory, the Young Explorers' Adventure and the Little Dinosaur Slide, whose design carefully pays attention to safety as well as fun. Mom and Dad will enjoy these attractions along with their kids.
Opening hours: 9am-11pm
Address: 78 Xinzhen Rd
Tel: 6478-3333
Admission: 150-200 yuan
Yinqixing Skiing Site
Skiing in the summertime? Now-adays anything is possible. What better way to escape the heat than an indoor ski slope with man-made snow beneath your feet? Welcome to the Yinqixing Skiing Site.
This was the first indoor skiing facility in China. It's equipped with advanced snow-making equipment in a professionally run setting. The indoor ski trail is 380 meters long and 80 meters wide, with a permanent indoor temperature of minus 2 degrees Celsius. The facility can accommodate up to 1,000 people at a time and offers various slope options to cater to every level of skiing proficiency. The steepest slop is at a 17-degree angle; the "bunny slope" is a mere 12 degrees. The facility employs 70 professional instructors to help visitors master the skills.
There's a free shuttle bus service to the attraction. It runs from the Xingzhuang station of Metro Line 1 in 30-minute intervals between 9am and 9pm.
Opening hours: 9:30am-10:30pm (weekdays);
9:30am-midnight (weekends)
Address: 1835 Qixing Rd
Tel: 6478-8666
Shanghai City Theater
Located near the southern plaza of the Xinzhuang station of Metro Line 1, the Shanghai City Theater is an important part of the newly built Chunshen Culture Plaza of the Minhang District. The theater is part of a complex that includes the district library, district archives and the Youth Activity Center. The City Theater is now considered as a cultural landmark of southwestern Shanghai.
The 1,000-seat theater, which opened in the end of last year, covers an area of 7,012 square meters. The stage facilities are considered on a par with the Shanghai Grand Theater in terms of modern equipment. The orchestra pit can hold up to 78 players. The stage has 20 moveable zones.
The theater is a performing site for drama, ballet, classical concerts and pop concerts.
Address: 4889 Mingdu Rd
Tel: 5415-8975, 5415-8976
Minhang Museum
The Minhang Museum, located at the Xinzhuang station of Metro Line 1, is very conveniently located for visitors. It was established in 2003 by the Minhang government. The museum occupies 4,200 square meters. There are two main exhibit halls: the Ancient Maqiao Culture Exhibition and the Chinese National Musical Instruments Exhibition.
The Ancient Maqiao Culture Exhibition traces the lifestyle of the ancient Maqiao people 4,000 years ago. The exhibits include more than 200 historic and cultural relics' stoneware, pottery and bone artifacts. Under orange lights, a replica of a day in the life of the Maqiao people is a fascinating and favorite stop for visitors.
The Chinese National Musical Instruments Exhibition is a wonder for music lovers. The exhibition originated at the Shanghai No.1 National Musical Instrument Factory, which used to have an exhibition room for traditional musical instruments. When the old factory was relocated, the exhibition's future was thrown up in the air. When Minhang officials learned of the dilemma, they moved the exhibition into the district's new museum. The collection displays more than 300 instruments.
Opening hours: 9am-4pm (closed on Sundays)
Address: 5/F, 255 Xinjian Rd E.
Tel: 6414-2161
Admission: Free
Hongmei Leisure Street
Stretching across the Minhang and Changning districts, Hongmei Leisure Street is a popular gathering place for locals and expats out to experience international dining. It was originally reconstructed along an old railway. The tranquility of its setting is a welcome break from the noise and bustle of Shanghai.
The 500-meter-long street is dominated by restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world, including Indian, Japanese, French, German, American, Dutch and, of course, the regions of China.
Interspersed among the eating places are numerous bars and pubs, some of which feature outdoor seating and many of which feature European-style decors.
There's a spot for every taste on Hongmei Leisure Street.
Address: 3888 Hongmei Rd, near Yan'an Rd W.
Dino Beach
As a member of the World Waterpark Association, the Dino Beach is not only the biggest water park of Shanghai but also one of the biggest in Asia. It can accommodate more than 8,000 visitors, and attracts more than 300,000 visitors a year from home and abroad. The park covers about nine hectares, with over 30 exciting water entertainment sites and 60 professional lifeguards to ensure safety at all time. Hungry? The park also boasts an array of eateries serving hamburgers, fried chicken, sodas, ice cream and other summer delights.
If you want to fully enjoy what Dino Beach has to offer, there are two must stops: Thunderbolt River and Storm Beach. Thunderbolt River is the longest waterway in a park setting in Asia at a length of 1.2 kilometers. Visitors in boats can experience an eerie ice tunnel and a strong storm. The trip gives one the feeling of being a castaway riding the waves into the unknown. Storm Beach has the biggest artificial wave pool in Asia and a clean beach for visitors to enjoy beach volleyball, water polo and other entertainment.
For youngsters, there are attractions such as the Pirate Boat, the Happy Water Factory, the Young Explorers' Adventure and the Little Dinosaur Slide, whose design carefully pays attention to safety as well as fun. Mom and Dad will enjoy these attractions along with their kids.
Opening hours: 9am-11pm
Address: 78 Xinzhen Rd
Tel: 6478-3333
Admission: 150-200 yuan
Yinqixing Skiing Site
Skiing in the summertime? Now-adays anything is possible. What better way to escape the heat than an indoor ski slope with man-made snow beneath your feet? Welcome to the Yinqixing Skiing Site.
This was the first indoor skiing facility in China. It's equipped with advanced snow-making equipment in a professionally run setting. The indoor ski trail is 380 meters long and 80 meters wide, with a permanent indoor temperature of minus 2 degrees Celsius. The facility can accommodate up to 1,000 people at a time and offers various slope options to cater to every level of skiing proficiency. The steepest slop is at a 17-degree angle; the "bunny slope" is a mere 12 degrees. The facility employs 70 professional instructors to help visitors master the skills.
There's a free shuttle bus service to the attraction. It runs from the Xingzhuang station of Metro Line 1 in 30-minute intervals between 9am and 9pm.
Opening hours: 9:30am-10:30pm (weekdays);
9:30am-midnight (weekends)
Address: 1835 Qixing Rd
Tel: 6478-8666
Shanghai City Theater
Located near the southern plaza of the Xinzhuang station of Metro Line 1, the Shanghai City Theater is an important part of the newly built Chunshen Culture Plaza of the Minhang District. The theater is part of a complex that includes the district library, district archives and the Youth Activity Center. The City Theater is now considered as a cultural landmark of southwestern Shanghai.
The 1,000-seat theater, which opened in the end of last year, covers an area of 7,012 square meters. The stage facilities are considered on a par with the Shanghai Grand Theater in terms of modern equipment. The orchestra pit can hold up to 78 players. The stage has 20 moveable zones.
The theater is a performing site for drama, ballet, classical concerts and pop concerts.
Address: 4889 Mingdu Rd
Tel: 5415-8975, 5415-8976
Minhang Museum
The Minhang Museum, located at the Xinzhuang station of Metro Line 1, is very conveniently located for visitors. It was established in 2003 by the Minhang government. The museum occupies 4,200 square meters. There are two main exhibit halls: the Ancient Maqiao Culture Exhibition and the Chinese National Musical Instruments Exhibition.
The Ancient Maqiao Culture Exhibition traces the lifestyle of the ancient Maqiao people 4,000 years ago. The exhibits include more than 200 historic and cultural relics' stoneware, pottery and bone artifacts. Under orange lights, a replica of a day in the life of the Maqiao people is a fascinating and favorite stop for visitors.
The Chinese National Musical Instruments Exhibition is a wonder for music lovers. The exhibition originated at the Shanghai No.1 National Musical Instrument Factory, which used to have an exhibition room for traditional musical instruments. When the old factory was relocated, the exhibition's future was thrown up in the air. When Minhang officials learned of the dilemma, they moved the exhibition into the district's new museum. The collection displays more than 300 instruments.
Opening hours: 9am-4pm (closed on Sundays)
Address: 5/F, 255 Xinjian Rd E.
Tel: 6414-2161
Admission: Free
Hongmei Leisure Street
Stretching across the Minhang and Changning districts, Hongmei Leisure Street is a popular gathering place for locals and expats out to experience international dining. It was originally reconstructed along an old railway. The tranquility of its setting is a welcome break from the noise and bustle of Shanghai.
The 500-meter-long street is dominated by restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world, including Indian, Japanese, French, German, American, Dutch and, of course, the regions of China.
Interspersed among the eating places are numerous bars and pubs, some of which feature outdoor seating and many of which feature European-style decors.
There's a spot for every taste on Hongmei Leisure Street.
Address: 3888 Hongmei Rd, near Yan'an Rd W.
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