Quirky Shanghai

Learn about China

Get hands-on and dive into some Chinese culture lessons. Cook up a storm or try a hand at calligraphy.

Chinese Cooking Workshop runs cooking workshops in making dim sum and also cooking with a wok. It offers both private and group cooking lessons, and special guest chefs sometimes make appearances. 1st fl., No. 35, 865 Yu Yuan Rd., and Room 2103, Bldg. 10, Lianyang Nianhua, La. 910, Dingxiang Rd., Mingsheng Rd., Pudong, 200135. 021/5465-0730. www.chinesecookingworkshop.com.

China Culture Center offers a wide variety of cultural experiences, lectures, and travel schedules. Pull noodles, get into some meditation, or just brush up on your Mandarin while deepening your knowledge of this enigmatic land. www.chinaculturecenter.org.

Artist Chen Li Fan holds calligraphy lessons in Da Marco, an Italian restaurant. 103 Dongzhuanbang Lu. 021/6210-4495.

Go-Karting

Driving in Shanghai is pretty crazy, so it's best to leave it to the locals. However, the city does host the Grand Prix track, so live out your driving dreams with a go-kart. Checkered flag and Grand Prix babes optional.

DISC Kart. This is definitely not your father's go-kart. A lap on a 160cc cart around the tight indoor track can at times seem more like a demolition derby. 809 Zaoyang Lu, Putuo, 200060. 021/6222-2880. www.kartingchina.com.

Shanghai Hauge Racing Car Club. Races are a bit more civilized at this club. You are required to wear a helmet while racing its 50cc to 200cc go-karts around its large outdoor track. 880 Zhongshan Bei Yi Lu, Hongkou, 200083. 021/6531-6800.

Skiing

Shanghai isn't the first place one would expect to find skiing opportunities, especially since snow falls rarely. However, in the city that has everything, you can be a snow bunny, too.

Shanghai Yin Qi Xing Indoor Skiing Site. This innovative indoor venue brings winter fun to Shanghai's tropical climes. China's biggest indoor ski run has a gentle slope that is good for beginners, who can take snowboarding or skiing lessons in Chinese or Japanese. 1835 Qixing Lu, Minhang, 201101. 021/6478-8666. www.yinqixing.com.

Chinese Opera

Popular with the older set, Chinese opera can be squeaky, discordant, and difficult to follow. However, it's an important part of Chinese culture and the costumes and makeup are fantastic. There are different forms of Chinese opera including Kunju, Yueju, and probably the most well-known, Peking (Bejing) Opera. In Shanghai, Yueju Opera is very popular. Classics include Butterfly Lovers, a Romeo and Juliet-style tale, and A Dream of Red Mansions based on the classic Qing Dynasty novel by Cao Xueqin about the fate of a feudal family. Join the weekend crowd at the Yifu Theatre. 701 Fuzhou Lu, Huangpu, 200002. 021/6351-4668.