Shanghai might not be what instantly comes to mind when it comes to winter sports, but hey, things could be changing. The
world's largest indoor ski resort is being built here after all and for the first time, an outdoor ice rink has opened up at one of the city's most iconic sites beside the Pearl Tower –
Ice Live is the city's first-ever 'real ice' outdoor skating rink according to
Shanghai Observer.
While not exactly Olympic standard, the 600-square-metre rink still makes for a pretty dazzling nighttime skate with views of the Huangpu and the Lujiazui skyline.
Entrance costs 80RMB per hour on weekdays and 100RMB per hour on weekends and holidays (family tickets also available for 150RMB, which includes entrance for one adult and one child under 12). In an attempt to get people excited for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the rink is working with Feiyang Skating Centre to put on demonstrations every Saturday and Sunday night – think figure skating, speed skating and ice hockey.
Skates and protection gear (seal-shaped handlebars skaters can clutch as they shakily circle the rink) are available for rental with a 50RMB deposit, and for those looking to
seriously work on their skating skills, private skate coaches are also available for hire.
If you can brave the journey over to one of the city's biggest tourist sites, access the rink through Gate 1 (the main entrance to the Pearl Tower) on Lujiazui Ring Road before it all closes down on Feb 24.
