Shanghai's Minhang district kicked off its Wonderful Life Season on Sept 14, a month-long celebration blending culture, tourism, shopping, sports, and exhibitions.

To encourage participation, Minhang will distribute 10 million yuan (about $1.4 million) in consumer coupons in three rounds, starting at 8 pm on Sept 26, Oct 3, and Oct 10.

The coupons, available through a platform to be announced, range from 100 yuan off purchases of 500 yuan to 300 yuan off purchases of 1,000 yuan. They can be redeemed at more than 600 stores, 160 hotels and cinemas, and 25 commercial complexes across the district. Eligible categories include sports, beauty, dining, and lodging.

The festivities are already underway. The FANCY Hongqiao carnival opened on the outdoor lawn of MixC shopping mall, which has been transformed into an African-inspired "Treetopia" zone. The 8-meter-high treehouse, modeled after Madagascar's baobab trees, serves as a landmark for both the carnival and the Minhang branch of the Shanghai International Light Festival. Visitors can also enjoy fashion shows, live music, themed markets, and even a pop-up store selling official Rolex Shanghai Masters merchandise.

This autumn, Minhang will also host two world-class sporting events. The 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters will be held at the Qizhong Tennis Center from Sept 29 to Oct 12, featuring stars such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. And from Oct 9 to 12, the LPGA Shanghai will take place at Qizhong Garden Golf Club, featuring defending champion Yin Ruoning and world No 1 Atthaya Thitikul.

To maximize impact, Minhang has introduced an innovative "sports+" model. Packages combine event tickets with hotel stays, sightseeing routes connect attractions such as Qibao Old Street with matches, and ticket stubs unlock discounts at shopping malls, including 10 to 30 percent off dining at Powerlong and 5 percent off purchases at the Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trade Center.

Food lovers are equally spoiled for choice. On Sept 11, the district opened the sixth Jiangnan Foodie Festival, now expanded to four venues over 29 days.

At the main venue, Reeb Mall, more than 90 stalls serve specialties such as crab roe buns from Taizhou in Zhejiang province, beef soup from Huainan in Anhui province, lamb skewers from Zepu in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and coffee from Baoshan in Yunnan province. Local brands are also showcasing ready-to-eat curry rice, mushroom sauce, and classic stir-fried noodles, allowing visitors to savor a wide range of flavors without leaving the city.

Adding a global dimension, Laowai Street in Hongqiao town will stage a special sub-event from Sept 24 to 30, featuring international cuisine, wine-tasting sessions, and Latin music performances in a lively multicultural atmosphere.

Source: Official WeChat account of the publicity department of the CPC Huangpu district committee at "minhangnews"