What being what? We hear you ask. While it isn’t exactly common practise to use personification in the naming of any commercial complexes, Greenland Being Fun (绿地缤纷广场) in the Xuhui district is making its mark with ecological design and kid-friendly features. Here’s why it should be your next weekend destination.
The Space
Hailed by the Shanghai-based Greenland Group (ranked world’s number three in terms of market capital growth by Forbes in 2017), this shopping complex reflects the conscious design ethics of blending greenery with utilitarian use of space. The central courtyard, for instance, features interlacing skywalks and water elements.
The rooftop, on the other hand, is cleverly converted into a garden-style kids playground. There are pastel colored slides, big enough for kids to ride with their mates. Also present are two sheets of net pitched against inclining lawns for kids to climb. The recommended age here (as described on a nearby plaque) is 12 and supervision is advised. Access is free.
Kid-Approved
The entire third floor is designated as a kid’s zone. From a playcenter with ball pit (RMB200 for one kid and adult) to a games center (RMB150 per hour), there are many ways to keep the kids busy here.
Food & Drinks
While the mall is filled with restaurants and eateries, the best ones are outside, scattered across the central courtyard and on the steps outside the main building. From familiar names like Pizza Marzano, Charlie’s and Delimuses to organic options like Green, CRISP and Borage, almost all the restaurants here have umbrellaed alfresco seatings, allowing for outdoor dining rain or shine.
As for coffee or tea, there’s Mellower Coffee, Kiwi Cafe and Taetea Pu’er and Cafe - much more interesting than the two Starbucks diagonally across the road at Touch Mall.
Location, Location, Location
When viewed as part of Xuhui’s burgeoning urban landscape, Greenland Being Fun is falls under the city’s plan to revitalize post-industrial riverside areas along the Huangpu. Just a five minute drive east from the mall is Long Museum West Bund, facing a 15-kilometer stretch of walkway and cycling lanes going all the way to The Bund. On that stretch are many stops to make, including the Power Station of Art, China State Shipping Corporation Pavilion, Shanghai Children’s Art Theatre and the Longhua Zhong Lu Skatepark to name a few. So whether you’re spending a day on the riverfront, or looking for a place to burn off the calories after a hearty alfresco meal, Greenland Being Fun can definitely fit into your weekend plan somewhere.
See a listing for Greenland Being Fun here.
