Having known each other since elementary school near Pittsburgh in the United States, Tom and Mo would never have guessed their lives would take them to China. Nonetheless, having spent almost a year and a half in Shanghai, the city is now a second home for the couple and their three boys, Owen (age 6), Mason (age 4) and Will (age 3). Here are some of their favorite things in Shanghai.
Family activities
Staying active as a family is important to us. We enjoy exploring the Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai Wild Animal Park and Shanghai Natural History Museum. And if we were going to do something more fun, Zotter Chocolate Theatre and the Legoland Discovery Center are definitely worth a trip.
Memory
At the boys’ school, Concordia, they hold an annual International Day, which is a celebration of cultural diversity represented by parents, students, teachers and staff from all over the world. We were really impressed to see all the students excited about their own culture and keen to learn about others’. It was the perfect reminder for why we value the opportunity to bring our family to Shanghai.
Places to dine
There are a few spots around the city that we just love. We enjoy Bella Napoli for the atmosphere, World of Beer for the large pretzels and fish tacos, Din Tai Fung for the Play Doh and xiaolongbao, and Al’s Diner for some Gracie’s ice cream. Within our neighborhood, we enjoy biking to Pistolera for Mexican food, Big Bamboo for the outdoor playground and Top Tea for ice slushies.
Playground for the children
We especially like Moon Space in Jinqiao where they equalize parents’ energy level to children’s. Parents can enjoy a cup of coffee while the kids play in the indoor space. As a special treat, we’ll visit Adventure Zone at Kerry Pudong, which all of us enjoy.
Grocery shops and shopping malls
We shop online at Epermarket for most every-day items (eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables, etc.), meat at Swiss Butchery and Sam’s Club for other items. I (Mo) like shopping at Qipu Lu for kids and women’s clothing and jewelry. They always have unique and fun items to surprise you. Additionally, Hubindao in Xintandi is an all-time favorite for the kids. They loved their recent Octonaut exhibition. That mall is also home to the NBA Play Zone, which sometimes provides physical activities and sports education.
Outdoor destinations
There are always things to do at Century Park. As a family, we recently ran a 5k race organized by More than Aware, a charity that raises awareness for breast cancer. We’ve also taken out the boats for hire and the kids like the little amusement park inside. Last but not least, we recently discovered Chenshan Botanical Garden, which is enormous and beautiful, full of greenery and colorful nature that you cannot find elsewhere in the city. We are definitely going back for more!
