The Chinese Grand Prix will soon take place at the Shanghai International Circuit in Jiading, and here is a fun fact: the track was deliberately designed to echo the Chinese character for “shang”, meaning upwards.

It is a circuit of sweeping high speed corners, one of the longest straights on the calendar and, in recent years, some of the most compelling racing of the season. The city more than matches it, and year on year demand for access over the weekend skyrockets.

As we get our clients prepared for race weekend, here is how we recommend spending your time in the city.

EAT

8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana

With two Michelin stars and based on the Bund (the 1.5km waterfront promenade), it offers the kind of Italian cooking that has no business being this good outside of Italy. The head chef Umberto Bombana’s Shanghai outpost sits within the historic Bund building and offers a menu rooted in classic Italian cuisine.

Think delectable handmade pasta, white truffle and the freshest produce used in every dish. The wine list is one of the finest in the city too. For those who want the grandeur of a formal dinner minus the traditional tasting menu format, this is the table to book.

Taian Table

Taian Table is one of Shanghai’s most exclusive dining experiences, tucked away in an intimate chef’s counter setting where every seat faces the kitchen.

Led by acclaimed chef Stefan Stiller, the Michelin starred restaurant presents a constantly evolving tasting menu that blends modern European techniques with exceptional seasonal ingredients sourced from around the world. Each course is prepared and presented directly in front of guests, turning dinner into an immersive culinary performance.

With thoughtful wine pairings and meticulous attention to detail, Taian Table has become one of the most sought after tables in the city.

CASUAL EATS

No. 3 Warehouse

No. 3 Warehouse is one of Shanghai’s most creative and fun dining spots. The restaurant has built a cult following around a concept that is pretty difficult to explain without trying it yourself but, alas, we will try.

It is a futuristic, theatrically designed space where every dish arrives as a small theatre production with flames, smoke and visual drama. The food itself is inventive modern Chinese cooking and it holds up beyond the spectacle too.

This is a spot worth queuing for if you want a fun time (as you cannot book), and with multiple locations across the city just make sure you arrive with time to spare and let the experience come to life.

Xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao are one of Shanghai’s most famous culinary treasures, delicate steamed soup dumplings that are as comforting as they are skilfully crafted.

Each dumpling is made with a thin, hand folded wrapper filled with seasoned pork and rich broth that melts into a savoury soup as it cooks. Traditionally served in bamboo steamers, they are best enjoyed hot, dipped lightly in black vinegar and ginger.

Bursting with flavour in a single bite, xiaolongbao are a must try dish and a staple of Shanghai’s vibrant food culture.

DRINK

The Jazz Bar at Fairmont Peace Hotel

There is nowhere quite like this in Shanghai, and arguably nowhere quite like it in the world.

The Jazz Bar sits within the Fairmont Peace Hotel, originally the Cathay, which opened in 1929 by Sir Victor Sassoon, the man who practically invented Shanghai’s golden age nightlife. The room itself is Art Deco in style, with green leather banquettes, a mahogany bar, mullioned windows and walls lined with memorabilia from the decades.

Every evening an Old Jazz Band takes to the stage. They hold the Guinness World Record for the world’s oldest jazz band, with an average age well into their eighties. The cocktail list draws from Sassoon’s personal journals, with four signature recipes lifted directly from his legendary 1930s parties.

Order something stirred, find a table and let the room do the talking. One of the most extraordinary places you will sit with a drink in your hand all year.

Pony Up

Pony Up is a lively, Western style bar in Shanghai known for its relaxed atmosphere, strong cocktails and playful take on classic bar food.

Popular with locals and visitors alike, it is the kind of spot where the evening easily stretches into the night, with a menu of well mixed drinks, craft beers and hearty comfort dishes. The space blends a casual modern bar feel with a social buzz, making Pony Up a go to destination for drinks with friends in the city.

EXPLORE

Walk the Bund at Night

It sounds obvious, but there is a reason the Bund remains the defining experience of any visit to Shanghai.

The iconic waterfront promenade runs along the western side of the Huangpu River, lined with colonial era architecture on one side and the illuminated Pudong skyline on the other, one of the most dramatic cityscapes you will ever experience. During F1 weekend the energy across the city spills out here too.

Go after dinner, have a slow stroll and soak up the city.

Yu Garden

Yu Garden is one of Shanghai’s most famous historic landmarks, a beautifully preserved classical Chinese garden dating back to the Ming dynasty.

Tucked away in the heart of the old city, it features winding stone pathways, koi filled ponds, ornate pavilions and traditional rockeries designed to create a peaceful escape from the surrounding bustle.

The surrounding bazaar is filled with traditional architecture, tea houses and street food stalls, making Yu Garden not only a cultural highlight but one of the most atmospheric places to explore in Shanghai.