Spring has arrived in Shanghai, bringing warm breezes, the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and a fresh wave of viral activities sweeping the city.
Locals love the following, from seasonal sweets to picturesque pop-ups, so why not follow in their footsteps?
01 Shake off the cobwebs at this tennis club
📍InLove Tennis Club, 2/F, BFC, 600 Zhongshan East Second Road, Huangpu
⏰ Daily, 8 AM - 10 PM
☎️ 13248319176
🎟️ 90 RMB for ball machine rental | 300 RMB for photoshoot
Sure, it’s still a little chilly outside, so why not work up a sweat at this indoor tennis club?
A favourite springtime discovery of netizens, InLove Tennis Club is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and private tennis courts while giving off Wimbledon-inspired elegance.
The sun-drenched space caters to both seasoned tennis players and keen novices. The tennis ball machines greatly help newbies improve their hand-eye coordination and footwork.
In this unescapable era of social media, the tennis club even offers photoshoot services — because if you didn’t catch any activity on camera, did it even happen?
Time to Taobao a chic tennis outfit!
02 Get after a taste of these ultra seasonal gelato flavours
📍Dip In Gelato, Multiple locations |
MIMILATO, Multiple locations
Fans of this gelato specialist always await its seasonal flavours with bated breath...
Deemed one of Shanghai’s most unique gelato parlours, Dip in Gelato does a fine job of featuring the freshest ingredients, and this spring is no different — you’ll find four new flavours of gelato and two new flavours of sorbet (see above) at its venues across Shanghai while they last.
Some locations even boast their own specialities. For instance, Dip in Gelato on Fumin Road and Xintiandi see a ‘Seeds, Roots & Sprouts’ selection — think ingredients like pumpkin seed, burdock root, and Sichuan pepper sprout.
The season for mugwort has arrived, and so too have the jade-green mugwort dumplings known as qingtuan(青团). MIMILATO is taking this classic once-a-year treat to the next level with a creative twist: gelato qingtuan.
Imagine this: a silky smooth, chewy wrapper encasing velvety gelato — it’s a textural combination that will leave you craving more.
03 Support local makers while snagging some cute freebies
📍凡几 Cafe Select Shop, 1088 Yuyuan Road, Jing’an
🗓️ Until March 31st 2025
⏰ Mon - Thu, 9 AM - 8 PM | Fri - Sun, 9 AM - 9 PM
☎️ 18721519314
Did you know that 凡几 CommonRare, the creators of one of Shanghai’s biggest and best markets, also runs a small café and gift store in an alley just off Yuyuan Road?
This spring, 凡几 Cafe Select Shop is partnering with moonyfarm and Bingun to present a pop-up simply titled ‘Spring Walk.’Expect lots of cute products, from tote bags to smartphone cases, in pastel colours.
The café’s seasonal coffee containing coconut water and passion fruit is another thing worth reaching for. Furthermore, said drink comes with a stylish reusable coffee sleeve spun from floral patterned fabric.
Swing by in person for even more surprises！
04 Explore this trifecta of tulips, treats & trends
📍Basement FG, 82 Xinle Road, Xuhui
⏰ Mon - Fri, 11 AM - 9:30 PM
| Sat - Sun, 11 AM – 10 PM
☎️ 13044106625
Centrally located on many a #citywalk route, fashion boutique Basement FG shares a space with Alligator Bakery, making it a one-stop shop for fashion and food.
This hotspot now boasts an extra layer of charm: vibrant tulips have seemingly sprung up overnight, framing the storefront of this historical building.
After updating your wardrobe with lighter apparel for the warmer days ahead, grab a pastry and enjoy it on the alfresco terrace.
If it’s just spring blossoms you’re after, why not revisit some of Shanghai’s most popular flowering sites?
05 Snack on saury or knifefish dumplings
📍嗲记, Super Brand Mall, 8/F, 168 West Lujiazui Road, Pudong
⏰ Daily 10 AM - 9 PM 
📍老半斋, 600 Fuzhou Road, Huangpu
⏰ Daily, 6 AM - 2 PM | 5 - 8:30 PM
📍永·江臻, 55 Sinan Mansion, Middle Fuxing Road, Huangpu
⏰ Daily, 11:30 AM - 2 PM | 5:30 - 10 PM
Springtime in Shanghai is synonymous with specific eats, such as snappy bamboo shoots, flavourful fava beans, and supple saury.
Also known as knifefish for its sleek resemblance to a blade, the last of these is especially delicious in dumplings known as 刀鱼馄饨.
These dumplings are only available for two months, so join the queue to get a satisfying mouthful!
The fish is so delicate that its bones are said to just melt away during cooking, and its flesh is finely minced and blended with shepherd’s purse before being folded into dumplings, which are served in a rich broth made from simmered fish bones.
