Looks like another storm cloud had settled over Shanghai for the next few days, which can only mean one thing. SmartShanghai is recycling content. Below is a list of things we've covered in the past that are just us worthwhile today. More importantly, you'll stay dry doing them.
1) Eat Chocolate
The recently opened Zotter Chocolate Theatre is one of our favorite things to open here in months. Learn all about how chocolate is made from bean to bar, all the while having your fill of it in some truly avant garde flavor combos — chocolate bacon bits, chocolate with sacramental wine and frankincense, chocolate with pineapple and celery nougat. Check it out right here.
2) Look at Fish
The Shanghai Aquarium in Lujiazui has a wide variety of sharks, rays, and jellyfish swimming behind thick Plexiglass for your viewing pleasure. Learn more about it here. Or failing that, you could probably kill two birds with one stone by checking out the live seafood tanks at Carrefour and coming home with some groceries.
3) Mingle with Fake Plastic People
Yeah. This sounds like something could do almost anywhere in this town. Fortunately at Madame Tussaud's you don't have to listen to fake plastic talk. Here is everything you need to know.
4) Who's House? Mao's House!
Did you know that Mao had a crash pad in Shanghai back in the day? You've probably walked by it on your way to a cheap, sloppy piss-up at Helen's and didn't even notice it. They've converted his old Maoming Lu lane house into an exhibit featuring Madame Tussaud's-esque wax figures of Mao and his wife Yang Kaihui doing whatever it is that young revolutionaries do. You can also see some old cigar stubbs and a pair of slacks that the Chairman used to wear. Learn more about it here.
5) Shoot Guns
Nothing says rainy-day fun like squeezing off a few rounds from your Beretta in the basement, bottle of Wild Turkey by your side. Okay these guys won't let you bring Wild Turkey, our preferred shooting refreshment, with you, but they do have a bar (no joke). And you can have a drink after you're done murdering a few paper targets. Get more details on that right here.
6) The 3D Fantastic Images House
Up in the northern reaches of Shanghai there is this museum that has trompe l'oeil paintings all over the walls. Bring your camera, because it's great for photo opps. More about that right here.
7) Skate
God knows how many times we've recycled our annual guide to ice skating in Shanghai feature. On more time couldn't hurt.
8) Solve Puzzles
We know your default mode when it rains is binge-watching Scandal. That shit will rot your brain. Why not work your mind grapes at Mr. X. These guys will lock you in a room that is actually an immersive puzzle. You and your friends have an hour to figure it out. Get more info about it here.
9) Take a Bath
If you went outside you'd get wet anyway. Here are three places to have a schvitz, take bath, get scrubbed down and other exercises in communal cleanliness.
10) Climb on Fake Rocks
If all of the above seems a little too sedentary for your tastes, why not chalk up and pull on some plastic. Here is a little something on two of Shanghai's indoor rock-climbing gyms.
