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9 ways to check out the moon in Shanghai
The best locations to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival through the long weekend
The Mid-Autumn Festival might be the only time of the year to hate Shanghai's bright neon skyline.
“Watch out or a lovely girl with a big rabbit. An ancient legend says a beautiful Chinese girl called Chang-o (嫦娥) has been living there for 4,000 years …
“You might also look for her companion, a large Chinese rabbit, who is easy to spot since he is always standing on his hind feet in the shade of a cinnamon tree.”
To which the Apollo crew politely responded, “OK. We'll keep a close eye out for the bunny girl.”
This little conversation can be found in the mission’s “Air to ground voice transcription.” Every word is true.
Sadly, nobody found the Chinese Moon Goddess on that mission. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to worship her at Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节).
The Zhongqiu Festival (as it's called in China) falls on September 12, and we have found the best places in Shanghai for you to gaze wistfully at our very own, tide-regulating heavenly body.
1. Chongming Island
First and foremost, the further from the city lights you travel, the better your view of the moon.
Chongming Island is the third-largest island in China and only a short drive north of the city. With more than 350 hectares of man-made forest, this is our top pick.
The best moon-admiring spot on the 1,041-square-kilometer island has to be Xisha Wetland Park on the far southwestern tip of island -- no trees to block your view.
Find out more about Chongming traffic tips and other spacious spots to enjoy the full moon on Shanghai’s biggest island.
Xisha Wetland Park (西沙湿地), Baohu Lu, Luhua town 绿华镇堡湖路, no website
2. Sheshan Observatory
98-meter Sheshan is the locals' traditional spot for star watching, moon gazing or even cloud observing. Photo by Flickr user Maxime Guilbot.
Also a little way out of the center, Sheshan Observatory, perched atop the west part of Sheshan, was built in the late 19th century with Asia's largest telescope of the day.
The observatory also houses the Shanghai Astronomical Museum, where you can trace China’s moon-watching and astronomical history.
Although both the observatory and the museum close at 6 p.m., the site is available for nighttime or even overnight observations for groups of more than 20 people. Call in advance to make a reservation.
Even if you fail to make it into the observatory, pick any spot on top of Sheshan and you'll be high above the city with very little to distract you.
For anyone who is not up for a mountain-climbing, find yourself a bench by Moon Lake (月湖).
After an hour or two of staring, rest your eyeballs with a spa treatment or a drink at the nearby sanctuary of Sofitel Shanghai Sheshan Oriental.
Sheshan Observatory and Shanghai Astronomical Museum, on top of the west part of Sheshan, enter from West Sheshan Park, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., +86 21 5765 1271, +86 5765 1273
Find out more about Sofitel Shanghai Sheshan Oriental.
3. Cocktails on the roof
The trick to moon-gazing is that you need to be away from buildings that will obstruct your view.
The buildings on the Bund, while not high, are not caught between high-rises, and as a bonus, you also get a river view.
There are plenty of other rooftops around Shanghai, too. Just be sure to find an east-facing one after sunset and west-facing after midnight.
A safe bet is M on the Bund or Zeal.
Or take your own pick from the list of 15 best al fresco bars in Shanghai.
M on the Bund, 7/F, No.5, Zhongshandong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu, 中山东一路5号7楼, 近广东路, +86 21 6350 9988, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday), 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m, 6:15 p.m.-10:30 p.m. (Saturday-Sunday)
Zeal, 6/F, 22 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near Jinling Dong Lu 中山东二路22号，近金陵东路, +86 21 6328 8668, 7 p.m.-3 a.m., www.zeal-shanghai.com
Mission for the weekend: make friends with someone whose house boasts a balcony view. Photo by Flickr user David Veksler.
4. Outdoor pools
Pools always have plenty of space around them, giving swimmers an excellent view of the sky.
The notable perk unique to pools is that they always have sun (moon?) beds, allowing you to lie back instead of straining your neck.
Our pick, despite the steep entry price (RMB 150 for entire day for non-guests), is the JW Marriott's rooftop pool, complete with full cocktail and food menus.
Entrance fee includes access to both the 125-square-meter indoor pool, and two more up on the roof.
JW Marriott, 399 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Bei Lu 南京西路399号, 近黄陂北路, +86 21 5359 4969, pool open from 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
