Leisure Activities A - Z :
Get a life in Shanghai


 

Introduction

gamblingYou know what - it's almost impossible to get bored in Shanghai. The long-established expat community has set up so many groups that most people's interests are represented.

As you are away from your home country, keeping up your hobbies and interests might be just the thing to provide you with a sense of continuity and balance in your life.

And, it's a fantastic way to meet new people and network. As well as all the classic card games, sewing and handicrafts or reading groups, you could try your hand at anything from Chinese cookery to Mahjong. If there isn't a group here for you - why not set up your own!

  Photo:enterAsia Art

 

We have mentioned just some of the groups here, but check the listings magazines (usually under the 'community' section) for what's on and what's new.

 

Acting Classes
Addresses:

PanDao Living Art
Performing Arts, Fashion, Film
Tel: 9442 0404
Website

Shanghai International College of Culture
Room 301, F3 Office Building
Cypress Hotel
2419 Hongqiao Road
Tel: 6269-2281
20 Fenyang Road
Tel: 6471-9492/6474-6013

http://www.sicccn.com/En

Chinese Painting and Caligraphy
Tel: 1300 415 3602


Inquire also at theatre venues


Art Classes
Addresses

Shanghai International College of Culture
Room 301, F3 Office Building
Cypress Hotel
2419 Hongqiao Road
Tel: 6269-2281
20 Fenyang Road
Tel: 6471-9492/6474-6013
Website

BizArt
4/F, Bldg 7
50 Moganshan Lu
Tel: 6277 5358
Website

Creek Art Center
101 Chang'an Lu
Tel: 6380 3547
Website
Websites
Active Kidz Shanghai http://www.activekidz.org


Bridge
Reference:
See International Groups and Associations

Ceramic and Pottery
Addresses:
Hands in Clay
No. 1, Lane 210 Taikang Road
Tel: 5465-4042
The Pottery Workshop
2nd floor Taikang Road
Tel: 6445-0902
Website
Clay Kingdom
Pottery for Children
Huanguang Pottery Studio
15 Lane 188
Changshu Lu
Tel: 5403 9440
Terracotta Warrior Worksop
China Children'ss Home
21 Donghu Lu
Email
   

Cooking
Addresses:
Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai
1376 Nanjing Road (W)
Tel: 6279-8888
St. Regis Shanghai
889 Dongfang Road, Pudong
Tel: 5050-4567
Westin Shanghai
88 Central Henan Road
Tel: 6335-1888
Shanghai International College of Culture
Room 301, F3 Office Building
Cypress Hotel
2419 Hongqiao Road
Tel: 6269-2281
20 Fenyang Road
Tel: 6471-9492/6474-6013 
   


Websites
Portman Ritz-Carlton Culinary Academy http://www.ritzcarlton.com
Westin Shanghai - Cooking Classes http://www.starwood.com
St. Regis Shanghai  -- Culture and Cuisine http://www.stregis.com/shanghai/
Shanghai International College of Culture http://www.sicccn.com


Crafts
Address:
Shanghai International College of Culture
Room 301, F3 Office Building
Cypress Hotel
2419 Hongqiao Road
Tel: 6269-2281
20 Fenyang Road
Tel: 6471-9492/6474-6013

Website



Dance
Addresses:
Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Gym
1376 Nanjing Road (W)
Tel: 6279-8888
Website
Gold’s Gym
258 Tongren Road
Tel: 6279-2000
Ballet Tian Tian
2- 14 years and adults
Xi Jiao Sports Center
1949 Hongqiao Lu
Tel: 6479 1925
Ballroom Dance School
Jingan Cultural Palace
459 Urumqi Road (N)
Tel: 6248-4420
Jazz du Funk International Dance Studio
Jazz, Hip-hop, Latin, Flamenco, Belly dance, Ballet, Tap, Street Jazz, Pilates, Aerobics
UDC Innovative Plaza, Buildg C,
No. 125 Jiangsubei Lu
Tel: 52 39 99 22

Website
Shanghai Xinlei Dance School
Ballet courses ages 4+
Tel: 6483 5006
Shanghai Tango Club 
Kings College
888 Changde Lu
Salsa/Latin/Ballroom
3F 9 Zhenning Road
Oriental Garden Dance Studio
Tel: 13916601515 (May)
Salsa Shanghai Dancing Group  Events
Contact: Bob, Shirley
Mobile: 135 0164 9523, 139 1604 5001

Website
Salsa Class  
555 Yan'an Zhong Lu
near Shaanxi Nan Lu|Contact: Anita Gao
Tel: 6287 8768
Salsa/Latin/Ballroom
3F 9 Zhenning Road
Oriental Garden Dance Studio
Tel: 13916601515 (May)
Latin Dance
Contact: Dorena
Mobile: 135 6476 5332
Childrens' Hip Hop
Jazz du Funk
UDC Innovative Plaza, Buildg C,
No. 125 Jiangsubei Lu
Tel: 52 39 99 22

Website
   

Drama Classes
Addresses:
Shanghai International College of Culture
Room 301, F3 Office Building
Cypress Hotel
2419 Hongqiao Road
Tel: 6269-2281
20 Fenyang Road
Tel: 6471-9492/6474-6013

Website
PanDao Living Art
Performing Arts, Fashion, Film
Tel: 9442 0404
Website
 


See also Entertainment section Theatre Groups


Fashion
Addresses:
PanDao Living Art
Performing Arts, Fashion, Film
Tel: 9442 0404
Website
International Fashion Club
Tel: 6208 9320
 


Furniture (Antique)
Address:
Chinese Antique Furniture Society
Tel: 6249 2255





Libraries and Book Groups


Since the publications in Shanghai’s libraries are in Chinese, your best bet is the Shanghai Library, which has one floor devoted to foreign language publications and current newspapers. The books are mainly the classics series. You will need to take along your passport and 1000rmb before you are allowed to borrow any books. The website has a listing of branch libraries.

Addresses:
Shanghai Library (central library)
1555 Central Huaihai Road  
Tel: 6445-2503
English and foreign language publications and newspapers on the 4th floor
Website
American Consulate Library
4A Qihua Tower
1375 Huaihai Zhong Lu
Tel: 6471 8689" "Old China Hand Reading Rm
27 Shaoxing Lu
Tel: 6473 2526
Shanghai BookCrossers
Email
Writers Group American Women's Club Shanghai
Contact Debora Downes through the AWA Email
   

Mahjong
Reference:





Music
Addresses:
Best Friend Music
1788 Humin Road
Tel: 6412-8392
Shanghai Conservatory of Music
20 Fenyang Road
Tel: 6437-0137
International Festival Chorus
Tel: 6258 2937

 



Pool Billiard
Addresses:

Masses-Bulldogs Pool Team
Bar Masse every Thursday from 8 pm in the 8-ball central pool league.
Contact Alan Phone 156 0187 1770
Email: [email protected]




Reading
Reference:




Toastmaster
Address:
TCM People's Square
Tel: 139 1786 7502