christmas in shanghai? what to do? what to expect?
 

I will be in Shanghai this coming Christmas. What should I expect? (in terms of things open/do they celebrate christmas in a big way etc.)

Also, is there somewhere nice we could book a Christmas dinner/lunch? There will be 5 of us.

Oh come on, someone must have some idea?!

The major shops are into Christmas because they want to see the Chinese shopping as hard at this foreign festival as the foreigners do. But then you can find tinsel hung up and 'Jingle Bell's playing in midsummer in China.

But no, they do not 'celebrate' Christmas in China. Younger Chinese working for foreign companies or joint-ventures are more aware of it than others.

Foreign-run hotels will have Christmas trees in their lobbies, and appropriate decorations, and their Western restaurants will offer Christmas lunch or dinner or both, as will some foreign-run or foreigner-targeting foreign restaurants.

Email M on the Bund (http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com/) to ask what they'll be up to. Michelle Garnaut knows how things are done, and if they aren't doing anything, the helpful staff there will almost certainly give you some advice.

Peter N-H

thanks.
i ate at M on the Bund when I was in Shanghai in February. sensational food. I was thinking about trying there.

As Peter N-H mentioned, Christmas in Shanghai is a very commercial concept. You certainly will see displays at department stores etc. No, it's a business day as usual so stores etc are open. As for Christmas dinner/lunch, hotels are your best bet. Though they are usually more expensive, may have "dinner shows or dinner dance" with singers etc. Make sure you book early.

great thanks.