How to celebrate Chinese New Year in Shanghai

Shanghai’s streets spring to life with an abundance of colourful customs and ancient traditions during Chinese New Year. From elaborate temple rituals to Michelin-starred feasts; here are our top three picks for celebrating the Spring Festival. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Longhua Temple Celebration

For a New Year’s Eve countdown like no other, join worshippers gathering at Shanghai’s oldest and grandest shrine, Longhua Temple. At midnight, its magnificent, 3.3-ton bell is struck 108 times – a number believed to dispel evil – ushering in an auspicious year ahead.

Throughout the Spring Festival, the temple compound also plays host to an array of festivities featuring jugglers, stilt-walkers and martial arts experts. Also worth a sticky beak is the sumptuous wooden Jade Buddha Temple over on An Yuan Road.

New Year Feasts at The Peninsula

Start the Year of the Pig as you mean to go on, with an indulgent family gathering at The Peninsula’s very own Yi Long Court. Celebrating ‘longevity’ and ‘treasure’, Chef Zhang’s Michy-starred Canto fare is showcased via two eight-course set menus. Yummm-goi!

Of course, no CNY celebration would be complete without fireworks, and Shanghai’s are nothing short of spectacular. Skip vying for a vantage with the hordes on the Bund and nip instead to Sir Elly’s Restaurant for mod-Euro morsels and front-row views of pulsating Pudong.

Guyi Garden Spring Festival Fair

Plants, colour, action! Host to the Lantern Festival (19 Feb), Yu Garden might the best-known of Shanghai’s temple fair, but the tranquil Guyi Garden is worth the schlep to catch its beautiful blooming flora and a more traditional ambiance. Time-old rituals include lion dancing and gentle parades – see website for dates and details.

Longhua Temple / 2853 Longhua Rd /  Xuhui Qu / +86 21 6456 6085 / 7am-4.30pm daily

Jade Buddha Temple / 170 An Yuan Road / 8am-4.30pm daily, though check CNY opening / yufotemple.com

Yi Long Court & Sir Elly’s Restaurant / Peninsula Hotel / 32 Zhongshan East 1st Rd / WaiTan / Huangpu Qu / +86 21 2327 6742 / lunch & dinner daily / peninsula.com

Guyi Garden / 218 Huyi Hwy / Jiading Qu / +86 21 5912 2225 / South Gate 5:30am-7:00pm, North Gate 6am-5pm daily / guyigarden.com