Wonderful, weird and wacky Christmas trees in China

From Swarovski crystal to brand-new bikes, Chinese shopping malls spare no efforts when it comes to decorating Christmas trees

By Raemin Zhang 15 December, 2011

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Xintiandi South Block

A 10-meter Nutcracker sculpture stands outside Xintiandi South Block together with a festive two-layer cake. Make sure to check out this alternative “Christmas tree” when you are in the neighborhood. Xintiandi South Block, Lane 123 Xinye Lu, near Danshui Lu 兴业路123弄, 近淡水路, +86 21 5382 0666, shopping mall opens from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Shanghai Times Square

A ribbon-wrapped Christmas tree stands in front of Shanghai Times Square. 93 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Liulin Lu 淮海中路93号，近柳林路，+86 21 6391 0691, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Grand Gateway 66

The most lavish Christmas tree in Shanghai is the cone in front of Grand Gateway in Xujiahui. The 18-meter Christmas tree is decked out with Swarovski crystal from top to bottom. The tree has consumed so much crystal even the mall itself has no idea how large the bill will be. Grand Gateway 66 Shopping Mall, 1 Hongqiao Lu, near Zhaojiabang Lu 虹桥路1号, 近肇嘉浜路, +86 21 6407 0115, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Three on the Bund

Three on the Bund has made the best effort to localize Christmas by sticking the Chinese national flag on top of their Christmas tree in New Heights restaurant. 7/F, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu 中山东一路3号7楼, 近广东路，+86 21 6323 3355, 10:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.

Xinmei Union Square

Nothing screams Christmas louder than the combination of two Christmas icons-– a Santa Christmas Tree. Visit the pyramid-shaped Father Christmas in front of Xinmei Union Square. 999 Pudong Nan Lu, near Shangcheng Lu 浦东南路999号, 近商城路, +86 21 5134 1888, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Times Square Pudong

Pudong seems to be more creative than Huangpu. This giant harp Christmas tree in front of Times Square Pudong is a good example. Times Square Pudong, 500 Zhangyang Lu, near Nanquan Bei Lu 张杨路500号, 近南泉北路, +86 21 5836 8888, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Hong Kong Plaza

This Christmas tree in front of Hong Kong Plaza is highlighted by Cartier gift boxes. Logic suggests that they are probably empty. Hong Kong Plaza, 283 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Songshan Lu 淮海中路283号, 近嵩山路, +86 21 6390 8866

Jinqiao Life Hub

Test your sense of direction in the Christmas labyrinth at Jinqiao Life Hub. Jinqiao Life Hub, Lane 3611 Zhangyang Lu, near Jinqiao Lu 张扬路3611弄, 近金桥路, +86 21 2023 3000, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Beijing Wangfujing

Three artistic Christmas trees on Wangfujing street in Beijing.

Shenyang Joy City

Up north where there is real snow, Shenyang’s Joy City Shopping Mall has constructed an indoor Christmas tree with 320 brand-new bicycles. The 12-meter tree can only be manually lit up by riding the bicycle attached in front of the tree. 6-1 Xiaodong Lu, near Zhong Jie, Dadong District, Shengyang, Liaoning Province 辽宁省沈阳市大东区小东路6-1号大悦城, 近中街, +86 24 2435 7888, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Shenyang shopping mall

A five-story-high reindeer decoration in a shopping mall in Shenyang.

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With only days until Christmas, Chinese cities are smartening themselves up for the year-end celebration.

Chinese people don’t celebrate the festival for religious purpose; it’s simply a chance for the younger generation to shop and party till they drop.

Rather than a family reunion, the occasion's turned into a second Valentine’s Day. Come Christmas Eve, the streets are filled with loving couples, sometimes clutching a teddy bear-themed bunch of flowers.

Never underestimate the power of Christmas in Chinese metropolises. Nothing showcases the country’s passion better than the wonderful, weird and wacky decor in and around Chinese shopping malls.

Click the gallery above to find out how the Middle Kingdom is celebrating Christmas, China's biggest imported festival of the year.

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Raemin Zhang is a Shanghai-based lifestyle journalist. She is the Chinese-language editor of CNNGo Shanghai.