62 ways to celebrate Chinese National Day

Explore the city

1. Witness the flag-raising ceremony in People’s Square when the sun rises on the nation’s 62nd birthday.
Shanghai People’s Square, in front of Shanghai Municipal Government, flag-raising ceremony, October 1, around 6 a.m.

2. Join the crowds to celebrate Chinese National Day in the traditional Shanghai way: gazing at lights and lanterns. Main commercial stretches in downtown Shanghai, including the Bund, Nanjing Dong Lu, Huaihai Zhong Lu and along Suzhou River, will be lit up with neon lights and lanterns; from 6:30 p.m.-11 p.m. on September 30-October 3, and from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. on October 4, and through the rest of the holiday.

3. Or tour Shanghai’s best Communist attractions. If you are in Beijing, this is your best itinerary.

4. Head for Shanghai Film Studios in Songjiang for a “reel” escape from Shanghai's urban chaos, where you can walk through the scenes of your favorite movies and possibly see your idols in action. The movie set features replicas of the 1930s Nanjing Dong Lu, Moller Villa, Shanghai old town as well as the Garden Bridge.
Shanghai Film Studios: Take Metro Line 9 to the last stop at Songjiang Xincheng, and then take a taxi (RMB 30) to 4915 Beisong Gong Lu, near Cheting Gong Lu 北松公路4915, 近车亭公路. RMB 50 entrance fee, +86 21 5760 1627, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

5. Visit two lesser-known Shanghai water towns: Fengjing (枫泾) and Nanxiang (南翔). Besides the small bridges, waterways and old-school docks, Fengjing is also the birthplace of Shanghai’s homegrown art form, Jinshan farmer painting, while Guyi Garden in Nanxiang is the oldest south China-style garden in Shanghai.
Direct bus and day-trip package to Fengjing available at Shanghai Tourism Distribution Center (上海旅游集散中心), 666 Tianyaoqiao Lu, below Platform 5 of Shanghai Stadium, 天钥桥路666号,上海体育场5号扶梯下, + 86 21 6426 5555, 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Take Metro Line 11 to Nanxiang in Jiading. 

6. Take the sightseeing elevator then climb 367 steps up Lupu Bridge and enjoy an uninterrupted bird's-eye view across the Huangpu River and the former Shanghai Expo site.
Lupu Bridge, 909 Luban Lu, near Longhuadong Lu鲁班路909号, 近龙华东路, + 86 800 620 0888, 8:30a.m.-5p.m., RMB 80, www.lupubridge.com

7. A tour of Shanghai's shikumen lane houses is a must-do. Jing'an is pushing a Shanghai shikumen tour this month in 10 historic lanes in the district. You'll cook and taste Shanghai food, enter a local house, and learn a little Shanghainese.
Shikumen Lanes in Jing'an district, +86 21 5403 8070, until October 6

8. The history of a country is told through its great people. The former residence of Cai Yuanpei (蔡元培), one of China's most influential educators and the former headmaster of Beijing University, is decorated with fascinating old letters and furniture.
Cai Yuanpei former residence, 303 Huashan Lu, near Julu Lu 华山路303号, 近巨鹿路, +86 21 6248 4996, Tuesday-Sunday, 9a.m.-11:30a.m., 1p.m.-4:30 p.m.

9. If you're a literary type, make a trip to Shanghai's Duolun Culture Street, which was home to many aspiring writers in first half of the 20th century, including Lu Xun, Mao Dun, Guo Moruo, and Ding Ling of the League of Leftist Writers. Check for more details.
Enter Duolun Culture Street from Sichuan Bei Lu (四川北路) or Dongjiang Wan Lu (东江湾路). The nearest station is Metro Line 3 Dongbaoxing Lu Station.

10. Cite Bourgogne on Shaanxi Nan Lu is one of the best-preserved shikumen lanes still inhabited by Shanghainese families. Bring your camera to capture the original flavor of Shanghai.
Cite Bourgogne, 287 Shangxi Nan Lu, near Jianguo Xi Lu 陕西南路287号, 近建国西路

11. Follow our metro travel guide and explore the strikingly beautiful natural escapes along Shanghai metro lines.

12. You don’t need the shiny bullet train to reach Suzhou. Take local buses and explore the mystery territory between the two cities. This is how to go to Suzhou by bus.

13. Picnic. While Century Park is the best choice in downtown Shanghai, it can get busy during the holiday. Some of the less crowded but equally spacious options include Lu Xun Park, Fuxing Park, and Red Town
Century Park, 1001 Jinxiu Lu, near Yinchun Lu 锦绣路1001号, 近迎春路, 7 a.m.-6 a.m., RMB 15, +86 21 3876 0588
Lu Xun Park, 2288 Sichuan Bei Lu, near Duolun Lu 四川北路2288号, 近多伦路, April 1-June 30: 5 a.m.-6 p.m.; July 1-September 30: 5 a.m.-7 p.m.; October 1-March 31: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fuxing Park, 2A Gaolan Lu, near Sinan Lu 皋兰路2甲号, 近思南路, April 1-June 30: 5 a.m.-6 p.m.; July 1-September 30: 5 a.m.-7 p.m.; October 1-March 31: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Red Town, 578 Huaihai Xi Lu, near Hongqiao Lu 淮海西路578号, 近虹桥路

14. Indulge your inner child with a ride on the exhilarating roller coasters at Jinjiang Park or Happy Valley, Shanghai's two major amusement parks.
Jinjiang Amusement Park, 201 Hongmei Lu, near Humin Lu 虹梅路201号, 近沪闵路, 8:30 a.m.-5p.m., RMB 30-60, +86 21 6436 4956
Happy Valley, 888 Linhu Lu, near Linlv Lu 林荫路888号, 近林绿路, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., http://sh.happyvalley.cn

15. Visit the five most cinematic spots in Shanghai.

16. For anyone who couldn’t bear the eight-hour queue outside the Saudi Arabia Pavilion during last year’s Expo, now is your time to go. The Saudi Pavilion is opening its doors again for the whole October holiday. Buy a ticket through tourist agencies. The price for a half-day Saudi Pavilion tour costs RMB 80-120. Check for more details. 

17. Follow our guide to check out the 12 best relics in Shanghai Museum.
201 Renmin Da Dao, near Wusheng Lu 人民大道201号, 近武胜路, +86 21 6372 3500, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

18. Or visit eight of Shanghai's strangest museums.