'Chunshen Wonderful Life Season' Marked with Host of Activities

The "Chunshen Wonderful Life Season" was launched on September 14 at Reeb Square in Minhang District, featuring approximately 60 activities throughout the district. These activities encompass various aspects, including culture, tourism, sports, shopping and dining.

To stimulate local consumption, the district offered 10 million yuan (US$1.4 million) in consumption vouchers, which could be used at 600 stores across 25 commercial complexes, as well as at 160 local hotels and cinemas.

Promotion programs were also carried out for cars and apartments.

Minhang hosted the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 (also known as the Rolex Shanghai Masters) from September 29 to October 12, and the Buick LPGA Shanghai golf tournament from October 9 to 12.

Local hotels supported visitors with ticket-and-accommodation packages and custom routes to local attractions, while selected restaurants and malls offered discounts to ticket holders. The 9th Gumei Jazz, Music & Beer Festival ran from September 25 to October 12, enriching the season's lineup.

Theater art hits the streets, alleys

The 3rd Shanghai International Urban Fringsville Festival concluded on October 20 in Minhang District, featuring over 100 plays, monologues, light comedies, musicals, multimedia interactive theater, physical theater, magic shows and avant-garde experimental theater.

This year's theme was "Creation," showcasing productions from over 120 domestic and international teams.

It established a theatrical universe that fuses experimental spirit, multiculturalism and contemporary expression.

It also brought art out of theaters and into the city's streets, alleys and grassroots communities, integrating creativity into daily life.

The festival followed the principles of "global perspective and diverse expression," creating more interactive and innovative spaces between performers and audiences.

The artistic performances demonstrated urban culture's diversity and vitality as well as Shanghai's modern aesthetics and development trends.

It served as a platform for cutting-edge theater, production teams and artists to connect and collaborate. An increasing number of artists are gathering through this occasion, fostering exchanges between Chinese and international theater while offering audiences a diverse artistic platform.

'Light belt' connects shopping, cultural hubs

Qibao Town is one of the sub-venues of the 2nd Shanghai International Light Festival.

A 7-kilometer illuminated "light belt" connects shopping and cultural hubs, while interactive installations are staged at venues such as Powerlong Museum and Hanxiang Water Garden, blending art, commerce and natural landscapes.

Art installations and performances have been staged at landmark locations such as the old town's bell tower, Tang Bridge and Kangle Bridge. Many of the installations drew inspiration from traditional folklore, such as the koi fish elements that were used on the Beidajie Street of the old town, signaling people's longing for good fortune, wealth and prosperity.

Lamps have been lit up on Nandajie Street and Fuqiang Street, where there were plenty of diners and snack vendors.

"By blending technology and art, we're creating an outdoor art exhibition space to establish iconic consumption experiences during the light festival," explained a representative from the district greenery authorities.

A light-and-water dance show was staged on the waterways between Tang Bridge and Kangle Bridge, which fully utilized the existing water scenery.

Through the interplay of water and light, it creates an audiovisual narrative that showcases the town's vibrant energy, where technology and culture coexist.

All lighting equipment uses energy-efficient light sources such as LEDs or lasers, with energy consumption minimized through precise control and meticulous management.

Visitors are welcome to collect stamps in exchange for special vouchers.

During the eight-day holiday period from October 1-8, it received 343,600 visitors, marking a 28.51 percent year-on-year increase, driving consumption of 15.61 million yuan, up 13.6 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the "Full moon in Maqiao" has become an annual festive ritual for the Maqiao community for several years, and it allows visitors to immerse themselves in the beautiful landscape while enjoying the latest tech offerings, street bazaar, traditional handicrafts and snacks.

The opening ceremony was held on September 26 at the Magic Plaza, which offered a festive banquet for residents and visitors.

The three sections – "Ancient Charm of Maqiao," "Vibrant Present" and "Intelligent Future" – have woven together the traditional folk customs with modern elements such as mooncake tasting and tennis activities, as well as the modern rendering of traditional culture in the coming smart digital age, such as the latest robotic models and virtual reality light shows.

Landmark complex celebrates 10th anniversary

THE HUB · Xintiandi, a landmark commercial complex in Minhang's Hongqiao International Central Business District, hosted the second "Art To Gather" season to integrate art into social scenes.

The art season brought together cutting-edge artistic resources from around the world, with over 30 performances and premieres being hosted to offer audiences a cultural feast.

Among them were Cie Didier Théron's production of "La Grande Phrase" ("The Walking Inflatable Man") and "Like a Rolling Stone," a hit play previously staged at this year's Aranya Theater Festival.

Theater workshops and exhibitions were offered for different audience groups, including family-friendly programs like "The Wizard of Oz" and "Three Little Pigs," while anime, cartoon and gaming (ACG) elements were featured for younger audiences, infusing the community with vibrant pop culture energy.

As the complex celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, it will embrace further upgrades, allowing consumers and business travelers to precisely locate target areas and enjoy a seamless and efficient shopping, dining and leisure experience.

Meanwhile, the Bailian Nanfang Shopping Mall celebrated its 26th Anniversary on September 26. It has transformed into a new urban gathering place that seamlessly blends shopping, leisure and social interaction.

Recent renovations have turned the mall into an urban lifestyle hub that combines sports activities, interactive experiences and youth vibrancy. Children can take up swimming lessons or skateboarding sessions at the complex, and family members can spend quality leisure time together.

The newly introduced "ZX LAB" is also a part of Bailian Group's newly incubated ACG culture experience space.

Through carefully curated content and interactive displays, it builds a bridge for emotional connection and shared experiences among young generations and those with common interests.

The 9th Gumei Jazz, Music & Beer Festival opened at the Gumei Subdistrict on September 27. Live jazz band performances, outdoor film screenings and street bazaars offered a colorful schedule for community residents.

Craft beer tasting competitions ignited the atmosphere, and local specialty restaurants set up outdoor booths to serve food seekers.