Tips for Spring Festival with a difference

(Shanghai Daily)

11:12, February 04, 2013

Three tourists from New York take pictures of themselves in front of cartoon lanterns at Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden yesterday. The annual lantern festival in the garden has been held for 19 years at Chinese New Year and this year marks the start of the Year of the Snake on February 10. The tradition of illuminated lanterns is believed to date back more than 2,000 years. (Shanghai Daily)

The Spring Festival break is just around the corner, with Chinese New Year next Sunday. While the routine for many people is to spend the holiday "eating or on the way to eat" or "crashed on the couch all day," why not choose another option for welcoming the Year of the Snake? Perhaps indulge in a spot of retail therapy; or explore China's different cultures; visit a winter wonderland; or just laze on the beach. Shanghai Daily has come up with some shopping, folk culture and leisure options. Whether you're a travel fan, a shutterbug or just want to add to your wardrobe, you're sure to find something to suit you.

Festival Getaways

Spring to the shops

Shanghai - hidden gems

Shopping in Shanghai over the holiday can be a surprisingly relaxed experience, for at least one third of the city's population has left for the break. So it's the ideal time to go on the trail of some stylish purchases, whether down quiet streets or in newly opened malls.

Movous Collection

Shaoxing Road is a very short and quiet road between Ruijin Road and Maoming Road with high-end old-style villas, beautiful French phoenix trees and popular cafes and restaurants.

Zhou Lanfan, a local fashion designer widely known as Saya, opened her bespoke fashion store Movous in a three-story house there, with her partner Xie Anyuan (Ang), also a local designer.

Specialties include party and wedding dresses, though Zhou promises, "we'll design and make whatever you want."

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