Oh, the fun you’ve missed

When many people think of the Spring Festival in Shanghai, certain things come to mind. These remembrances include noisy firecrackers and dangerous, sometimes deadly and destructive fireworks, not to mention the mess that these items leave behind. And, perhaps worst of all, most companies are closed during this holiday week. With so many shops not operating, Shanghai may seem like a virtual ghost town - or at least would seem like one if the fireworks had not scared off the ghosts.

Such negative perspectives on the holiday have become so strong and pervasive that several of my friends did not return from their holiday vacations until last weekend. They left Shanghai several days before the celebrations for places like Thailand, which promised quieter vacationing.

While it is understandable that long-time residents of Shanghai would want to flee the city, I think that these people could have enjoyed themselves here if they were to follow the lead of the incoming tourists. According to local tourist bureau, 3 million visitors came to Shanghai during the Spring Festival holiday. While here, they enjoyed our bustling shopping malls and fantastic restaurants, the majority of which remained open. They also visited tourist spots, at which many of us expat residents turn up our noses.

This is a thing that surprises me about many people who have lived in Shanghai for months or even years - many of us have not so much as visited landmarks that define Shanghai. We do not ascend skyscrapers in Pudong New Area, browse popular museums or even stroll along the Bund. For whatever reason, we consider such activities to be beneath us. Perhaps they seem overly quaint, which may be true. But they are also a lot of fun.

I took time this holiday season to follow the crowd and visit some places in Shanghai that I had not seen in years, or that I had always avoided. Tourist traps like the Natural Wild Insect Kingdom, which is next to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, occupied a few hours of my time on one afternoon that also included a visit to Yuyuan Garden and a couple of temples.

Visiting these places renewed my interest in the city. The fireworks, when enjoyed from an elevated view, are outstanding, and by staying in Shanghai, I was able to see a fireworks display that was larger and more colorful than any I could remember. From one end of the skyline to the next, Shanghai was a portrait of splendor.

For those people who left Shanghai and are just now returning, they missed out on the chance to see such displays. But fortunately for them, they still have the opportunity to enjoy Shanghai in the same way as the tourists. I recommend taking time this week to see a church, tower or market, and to start celebrating the city with renewed eyes. Doing so can improve your outlook about living here. Also, you may not be so excited to leave Shanghai during the next Spring Festival.