Quirky Shanghai

Quirky Shanghai

Learn about China

Get hands on and dive into some Chinese culture lessons. Cook up a storm, learn to speak the lingo, or try a hand at calligraphy.

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

Enjoy Mandarin offers a range of cultural encounters ranging from language to seal cutting, so you can even make your own souvenirs. Private classes cost Y120 per hour and classes lasting a few hours can be booked a day in advance. Room 411, Qing Gong Building, 1576 Nan Jing Xi Rd., Jing'an. 021/6258-6885. www.enjoymandarin.com

Artist Chen Li Fan holds calligraphy lessons in Da Marco, an Italian restaurant, every Friday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 for Y100, or in his studio on request. 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. 326 Aomen Lu, Jing'an. 021/6277-5641

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. 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. The world's second largest indoor ski run, the gentle 4,100-foot (1,250 m) slope is good for beginners, who can take snowboarding or skiing lessons in Chinese or Japanese. 1835 Qixing Lu, Minhang. 021/6478-8666

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. 021/6351-4668