CITY GUIDE >City Special
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CITY GUIDE >City Special
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Shanghai guide: Fun under the sun
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-06 16:40
Hydro Power: Wakeboarding Imagine the breeze blowing through your hair as you are dragged along a lake at speeds of up to 30 km/h on a surfboard while you try to weave left and right and somersault in various directions. If this sounds like your cup of tea - and those who have tried it assure us it is highly addictive - then wakeboarding is the new summer sport for you, and it is only a short drive from the city. New Zealander James Cornell and his antipodean friends started Wake Up Shanghai, the city's first wakeboarding group in May 2008. They have found a suitably clean lake within a 45-minute drive west of Shanghai, where they can supply equipment, transport and boats. Within the space of a year, membership has grown to 200 people through word of mouth and popular networking website Facebook. Enthusiasts meet once or twice a week and hold an open day every month so newcomers can have a go or just watch and enjoy a BBQ by the lake. Email James Cornell via jrcorn@gmail.com or visit Wake Up Shanghai's Facebook group to get involved.
 Jurassic Park: Dino Beach As Shanghai's only water park, Dino Beach ranks as one of the city's best summer destinations. Featuring a Jurassic-era backdrop, the park boasts Asia's biggest wave pool, the city's largest man-made beach, numerous water slides and even a "lazy" river that you can bob along on riding yellow rubber rings. As well as beach volleyball and water polo games, the park hosts beach parties at the weekend and on special occasions. Whether the planned Beach Honey Competition from July 25 to 26 turns into an MTV-style flesh-fest or not, it is likely to attract the hordes. Dino Beach is located at 78 Xinzhen Road and is open from 2 pm to 11 pm on Monday, 10 am to 11 pm on Wednesday and Sunday, and 10 am to midnight on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Take Subway Line I to Xinzhuang Station, then transfer to Bus 763 or 173 (they will take you directly to the park's entrance). Tickets: 120 yuan (Monday-Friday), 150 yuan (weekend) Tel: 6478-3333
 The Great Escape: Shanghai Sideways Shanghai Sideways offers a different way of exploring the city by putting you in the sidecar of what appears to be a WWII military motorcycle, then tearing around the city at breakneck speed. Organized by a bunch of French expats who are passionate about sidecars and the multiple faces of Shanghai, the tour program has been up and running for over three years. Sights include the Bund, the French Concession, the city's Jewish museum and other historic buildings. Tours range from 30 minutes to a full day, and should appeal to those whose skin starts to crawl when they get stuck in traffic. For more information, log on to http://www.shanghaisideways.com or email Thomas at thomas@shanghaisideways.com. Alternatively call his cell: 150-2111-2451 |
