Step into the new year with seven captivating experiences in Shanghai! 

From the Zootopia-themed wonderland at Shanghai Disneyland to the East meets West street fairs at the Bund Finance Centre, Shanghai invites you to embrace a year filled with cultural richness and unforgettable moments.

1. Be sure to visit Zootopia at Shanghai Disneyland

From Mane Street to Savannah Central and Nocturnal Alley, from The Big Donut to jumbo-pops to paw-shaped popsicles, the world's first Zootopia-themed land promises to be a ton of fun for lovers of the animation.

The park at Shanghai Disney Resort, which opened on Dec 20, 2023, is the eighth themed land inside Shanghai Disneyland where characters from the animated film come to life.

Be sure to pop by the "Hot Pursuit" attraction and join bunny Officer Judy Hopps and her fox sidekick Nick Wilde in their mission to rescue Gazelle from her kidnapper, Bellwether.

Don't forget to check out the comprehensive fashion products by Fru Fru, Zootopia's favourite fashionista, many of which are exclusive to the new theme park.

Zootopia characters make an appearance in Shanghai Disney Resort. [Photo/WeChat ID: shanghaifabu]

Address: No 310 Huangzhao Road, Pudong New Area

2. Visit Shanghai Museum to view rare, historical works

Who Is Leonardo Da Vinci? – a rare show based on a dialogue between Renaissance masters led by Da Vinci and Chinese artists from the same period – is running from Dec 10 to April 14 at the newly-renovated Shanghai Museum.

Twelve pieces by Da Vinci (1452-1519) from the collection of the Galleria Nazionale di Parma, including the famous La Scapigliata, are on display alongside 11 pages from the Codex Atlanticus, which is being showcased in China for the first time.

Also on display are pieces by other Renaissance masters, including two sketches by Michelangelo (1475-1564), and paintings by pupils of Da Vinci.

La Scapigliata by Da Vinci – oil, umber, and white lead pigments on a poplar wood panel. [Photo/CHINA DAILY]

The Shanghai Museum has selected 18 paintings from its collection of Chinese art. The most famous is arguably Tang Yin's (1470-1523) Lady with Fan in the Autumn Breeze.

Tang Yin's ink on paper Lady with Fan in the Autumn Breeze. [Photo/CHINA DAILY]

Also known as Tang Bohu, Tang Yin is a household name in China, and this painting is regarded as one of his most famous, though it has been 25 years since it was last displayed to the public.

Address: No 201 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district

3. Get immersed in outstanding photography works

For art and photography lovers, Fotografiska Shanghai is a destination that should not be missed.

A man poses in front of Fotografiska. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Founded in 2010, Fotografiska is a contemporary museum of photography, art, and culture. It launched its first Asia outpost in Shanghai on Oct 20.

Situated along Suzhou Creek, the Shanghai branch is in one of the three historical warehouses built in the early 20th century on Guangfu Road. This four-storey historical landmark spans nearly 4,600 square metres and comprises spaces for exhibitions, indoor and outdoor event venues, a concept store, and a restaurant and lounge bar overlooking the river.

People gather at Fotografiska. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Fotografiska also has locations in Stockholm, Sweden; Tallinn, Estonia; New York in the United States; and Berlin, Germany.

Address: No 127 Guangfu Road, Jing'an district

4. Revel in the history of fashion

The exhibition series ART SHANGHAI: European National Treasures was unveiled at No 1 Waitanyuan, a 170-year-old building on the Bund in Shanghai, on Nov 13.

A poster promoting the exhibition. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The inaugural exhibition Beauty Changes: 100 Years of Italian Fashion and Costume traces the origins and evolution of the identity and influence of Italian fashion from the 1900s to the present.

Treasures from three major segments of Italian culture – fashion, opera, and cinema – offer visitors a comprehensive overview of the century-long history of Italian fashion on display at the exhibition.

The exhibition will run till Feb 29.

Address: No 33 West Zhongshan Road Number One, Huangpu district

5. Indulge your sweet tooth at Haagen-Dazs Concept Store

Located along the bustling East Nanjing Road in Huangpu district, the new Haagen-Dazs Concept Store, the first of its kind, pays homage to the very first Haagen-Dazs store in China that opened nearby in 1996.

This three-storey store had its soft opening before Jan 1, 2024.

The store features a giant flower-shaped installation, a sculpture wall covered by handicrafts, and a wall showcasing different flavours of its iconic ice creams.

An interior of the new Haagen-Dazs Concept Store in Shanghai's Huangpu district. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The concept store will offer exclusive Haagen-Dazs merchandise not found in other stores in the city.

Address: No 587 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

6. Eat like a local at Da Hu Chun

When it comes to authentic Shanghai fare, there are few places that do it better than Michelin-starred restaurant.

Da Hu Chun, which was listed as a Time-Honoured Brand of the city.

Expats dine at Da Hu Chun in Shanghai. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/provided to International Services Shanghai]

Be sure to try their famous fried buns, or shengjianbao, which they have been making since the 1930s.

These unique buns are prepared using a combination of frying and steaming and come packed with a delicious broth.

Don't forget to pair the fried buns with a bowl of xiaohuntun, or small wantons, which are filled with chopped spring onions and pork.

Multiple addresses including:

No 136 Middle Sichuan Road, Huangpu district

No 89 South Yunnan Road, Huangpu district

No 9 Yuchun Road, Huangpu district

No 999 Dongdaming Road, Hongkou district

7. East meets West street fairs

A lantern festival is celebrated in Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/provided to International Services Shanghai]

Located adjacent to the Bund, the Bund Finance Centre (BFC) holds a Western-style market every weekend that features more than 40 brands and merchants selling a wide variety of products. A host of lifestyle and entertainment venues can also be found in the area.

Alternatively, check out a traditional Chinese street fair at Yuyuan Garden, a tourist hotspot within a 10-minute walk from the BFC. It is the host venue of the annual Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show, one of the most anticipated events of the year. The lantern festival, which was included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritages in 2008, is a staple event every Chinese Lunar New Year and draws hordes of visitors with its elaborate lanterns and cultural performances.

Address: No 600 East Zhongshan Road Number Two, Huangpu district / No 168 Fuyou Road, Huangpu district