Things are getting icy in Shanghai and right now heading into the outside world isn’t exactly priority number one on many of our to-do lists. After all, according to
Shine, today is the coldest day we’ve experienced in early January since 2005. But for every cloud (or day that drops below zero degrees) there’s a silver lining – this time it's the recent reopening of the huge ice-skating rink at The North Bund’s Sinar Mas Plaza.
Opening at the beginning of December as part of the Shanghai International Ice Festival that looks to promote the upcoming Winter Olympics, the rink itself is the largest outdoor one of its kind in the city with 1,200-square-metres of ice for you to glide, jump and fall your way around in. It’s not quite what the pros will be figure-skating on in Beijing next year but it’s still pretty decent, especially at night when the bright lights of Lujiazui are on.
The rink will be open through February 28, and times and prices vary with sessions lasting 90 minutes.
On weekends and during the winter school holiday period (January 23 to February 21), the rink is open from 9am-10pm (99RMB). On weekdays until January 22 and then after the winter school holiday period (from February 22) the hours are 9am-5.30pm (59RMB) during the day and then 6.30-9.30pm for the night session (79RMB).
Tickets include rental skates and protection gear, but due to safety regulations, kids under four, seniors over 65 and children under 1.1m are not permitted to take part.
If you’re courageous enough to brave the cold and add the holiday staple that is outdoor skating to your winter resumé, you can access Sinar Mas Plaza from the International Cruise Terminal stop via Line 12 on the Shanghai Metro.
