A Chinese New Year Fireworks Show at Shanghai Disney – Once Again in Your City

This Shanghai Disney Chinese New Year trip all started with a promise to the little one a year ago. The birthday Disney trip we had promised ended up being delayed again and again due to the pandemic, and before we knew it, it was already 2023. Seeing that the situation before the new year looked pretty good, I decided on the spot to take advantage of the last window before the holidays, just after things had opened up, and swiftly arranged a spring festival trip to Shanghai Disney. My wife and I had already been to Shanghai Disney twice before, so we'd basically done all the rides. This time, the Disney trip was all about the little one – letting her soak up the Disney atmosphere, experience the special New Year fireworks show, and hopefully, get on as many of her favourite rides as possible. We put together a three-day, two-night itinerary, with Disney as the main theme, plus taking the kid around Shanghai to give her a taste of China’s most vibrant metropolis.

🔍 Itinerary

-| Day 1: Drive from Hangzhou to Shanghai, lunch on Dingxi Road, afternoon at Qiantan Leisure Park, dinner at Papa’s Kitchen, night stroll on the Bund, overnight at a hotel near Disney.

-| Day 2: Drive from hotel to Disney for a full day, return to Kempinski Hotel in the city in the evening.

-| Day 3: Morning walk around the hotel area, visit Oriental Pearl Park, see the Huangpu River, lunch at Gui Man Long, afternoon drive back to Hangzhou.

Day 1 - Lunch - Fei Zhi Mi Lan (Hong Kong Rice Noodles)

Driving all the way from Hangzhou, our first stop in Shanghai was lunch on Dingxi Road. Actually, we’d originally picked H2 for lunch, but it was already closed for the Chinese New Year, and the noodle shop next door had a queue tens of metres long – we didn’t fancy joining that. So we settled on Fei Zhi Mi Lan, a Hong Kong-style rice noodle place.

-| 🔍 Restaurant: Fei Zhi Mi Lan Hong Kong Rice Noodles (Dingxi Road branch)

-| 📍 Address: 685 Dingxi Road, Shanghai

-| 🚘 Transport: 🚇 Metro Line 3, West Yan’an Road station

-| ⏰ Opening hours: 10:30 am – 9:00 pm

-| 💘 Recommended: Signature zha jiang small pot rice noodles

Fei Zhi Mi Lan has quite a few chain branches in Shanghai, and this one is on Dingxi Road, where there are some street-side parking spots 🅿️, pretty friendly for those driving. It was the last few days before the new year, but the restaurant was still buzzing, with a short wait at peak times. Ordering at the door with a little paper menu had a proper Hong Kong vibe, which I really liked. The dining area has lots of Hong Kong-style décor, a bit tight on space, and you might have to share a table, but it doesn’t really affect the meal. Both tourists and locals come here, and the reputation is solid. The kid can’t handle spicy food, so we ordered a signature thick soup fish broth rice noodle – just right. The portion is quite generous, with a rich broth and plenty of toppings, and you can get a free refill of noodles, which is a nice touch. One bowl between the two of us was enough. My wife chose the signature zha jiang small pot rice noodle, and the flavour lived up to its name – really satisfying. When ordering, you can choose to have coriander according to your taste, which is considerate. After leaving the restaurant and walking along Dingxi Road, the noodle shop next door no longer had a queue because they’d sold out early. I spotted a little cat on the street, all cute and tough, not afraid of people – probably an old local on this street. Took a couple of close-ups of him and then zipped off to the next stop.

Day 1 - Afternoon - Qiantan Leisure Park

We spent quite a while thinking about the first afternoon’s plan: on one hand, we wanted somewhere relatively quiet; on the other, it shouldn’t be too far from the Bund, because we’d already arranged a night view there. After fiddling with Baidu Maps, I stumbled upon Qiantan Leisure Park, which looked great for kids, so the afternoon plan was decided in a snap.

-| 🔍 Spot: Qiantan Leisure Park

-| 📍 Address: Off Qiantan Avenue, Shanghai

-| 🚘 Transport: Drive 🚘

-| 🎫 Tickets: Free 🆓

-| ⏰ Opening hours: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

-| 💘 Recommended: Big sandpit, Huangpu River

[i]Qiantan Leisure Park[/i][i]Who would have thought that the first destination of our Shanghai trip would be this free Qiantan Leisure Park. Never heard of it before, but our kid played for a whole afternoon and was totally chuffed. This park is near Qiantan in Shanghai; on one side of Qiantan Avenue is the leisure park, and on the other is Qiantan Sports Park – the whole area is quite large.[/i]

[i]Qiantan Leisure Park[/i][i]Qiantan Leisure Park[/i][i]It seems there’s no dedicated car park for the leisure park. If you drive, you can park at the sports park across the road, which has a big car park. Though quite a few people do seem to park on the roadside next to the leisure park. According to a cleaner lady nearby, parking on the roadside is okay too.[/i]

[i]Qiantan Leisure Park[/i][i]The liveliest spot in the whole park is definitely the huge central sandpit – loads of kids come here just to dig and play. The sandy area also has some simple climbing walls and ladders. Having such a free and lovely activity area right in the city is really enviable![/i]

[i]Qiantan Leisure Park[/i][i]The leisure park is right beside the Huangpu River, with a dedicated cycling path; runners and cyclists might want to give it a try.[/i]

[i]Qiantan Leisure Park[/i][i]Kids absolutely love the sandpit; they can play all afternoon without getting bored. Today we specially learned how to build a Mount Fuji sand mountain:

1. Prepare lots of wet sand and a little dry sand.

2. First, build a big mound with wet sand.

3. Sprinkle a circle of dry sand evenly on top of the mound.

4. Stick a small twig into the peak – done![/i]

[i]Qiantan Leisure Park[/i][i]Small pathways along the park give you a direct view of the Huangpu River and the opposite shore, though most spots have fences. If you look carefully, you can find a little corner where you can see the river directly, and it makes a nice photo![/i]

[i]Qiantan Leisure Park[/i][i]Qiantan Leisure Park[/i][i]Qiantan Leisure Park[/i]

Day 1 - Dinner - Papa’s Kitchen (Baba Chufang)

Our first proper meal in Shanghai was at Papa’s Kitchen, a local chain. They have many branches, and today we went to the one in Poly Time Square. The mall felt quite empty just before the new year – we practically had the whole place to ourselves!

-| 🔍 Restaurant: Papa’s Kitchen (Poly Time Square branch)

-| 📍 Address: B1, Poly Time Square, Shanghai

-| 🚘 Transport: 🚇 Metro Line 12, Middle Longhua Road station

-| ⏰ Opening hours: 11:00 am – 9:30 pm

-| 💘 Recommended: Papa’s fried pork chop, drunken prawns

[i]Papa’s Kitchen[/i][i]Before coming to Shanghai, I’d done a fair bit of research, mainly looking for local Shanghai cuisine that’s not readily available in Hangzhou. I spotted this place near our target destination, thought it looked good, and went for it! Papa’s Kitchen is on the B1 floor of Poly Time Square – as soon as you look up, you see its glass-walled room, a very pleasant environment.[/i]

[i]Papa’s Kitchen[/i][i]The whole restaurant is very clean and bright, with a fresh, simple feel, making for a really nice dining experience. In the evening, looking through the glass at the festive lights in the mall, the little one thought it was beautiful. The dishes here are a mix of traditional Shanghai cuisine and home-style private kitchen, with some well-regarded signature items. As first-timers, we ordered on a whim.[/i]

[i]Papa’s Kitchen[/i][i]First, a recommendation for meat lovers and families with kids – Papa’s fried pork chop. Apart from Japanese restaurants, it’s quite rare to have pork chop, since frying it yourself isn’t easy. Papa’s version is overall very good: crispy outer layer, quality meat that’s still juicy. The kid loved it. Remember to eat it while it’s hot.[/i]

[i]Papa’s Kitchen[/i][i]Papa’s Kitchen[/i][i]My wife, a fan of “drunken” foods, tried the drunken prawns. “Drunken” dishes were quite trendy last year, and we’ve tried them in many places. Usually we have drunken marsh prawns more often, but this was our first time with drunken prawns of this type. The prawn quality was solid, with a nice firm texture, and the drunken flavour was spot on. The meat was excellent – springy, with the marinade fully absorbed. My wife polished off the whole plate on her own.[/i]

[i]Papa’s Kitchen[/i][i]Papa’s Kitchen[/i][i]Then a refreshing veggie dish: stir-fried okra and yam. Both are my favourites, and this combo is pleasing to the eye, tasty, and nutritious. Both are slightly slimy but one is crisp, the other soft – a great textural contrast![/i]

[i]Papa’s Kitchen[/i][i]Papa’s Kitchen[/i][i]Their bullfrog is also done in a distinctive way: coated in flour, fried, then braised. The frog meat is quite tender and comes in large chunks, which is satisfying. It’s a spicy, savoury dish with plenty of lotus root slices, rice cakes, and other sides – a really substantial main course worth savouring.[/i]

[i]Papa’s Kitchen[/i][i]Papa’s Kitchen[/i][i]A simple, decent meal, and pretty good value. TIP: After dining, take your receipt to the service counter to exchange it for a 2-hour parking voucher![/i]

Day 1 - Evening - The Bund

Some say a trip to Shanghai without visiting the Bund is a wasted trip? Well, my previous visits were all wasted then – I’d been to many places in Shanghai but never checked in at the Bund. Finally, tonight was the night! After dinner, we drove to the Bund to enjoy the Huangpu River night view and show our little one what the most bustling part of the country looks like.

-| 🔍 Spot: The Bund

-| 📍 Address: The Bund, Shanghai

-| 🚘 Transport: 🚇 Metro Line 14, Yuyuan Garden station

-| 🎫 Tickets: Free 🆓

-| ⏰ Opening hours: All day

-| 💘 Recommended: Huangpu River night view

[i]The Bund[/i][i]The Bund[/i][i]As a popular Shanghai spot, the Bund is loved by both tourists and locals. Even though we travelled off-peak, we still found the whole Bund packed with people, very lively. Public transport is highly recommended for the Bund, but we tried driving. We arrived relatively early and found a few spaces in the underground car park 🅿️. The car park has an elongated layout with one-way traffic – if you park near the entrance, you’re closer to the viewing platforms; if near the exit, you’re near the monument. You can pick based on where you want to go.[/i]

[i]The Bund[/i][i]The Bund[/i][i]I’d heard about the Bund’s beauty, but standing right beside the Huangpu River, I still exclaimed – it’s so stunning! No need for heavy editing; a snap of the camera 📸 already has a built-in black-gold filter, gorgeous! From the Bund you can get great photos of the Oriental Pearl Tower and other buildings across the river, posing from a distance with the landmark.[/i]

[i]The Bund[/i][i]The Bund[/i][i]On the other side of the road are historic buildings full of old-world charm and international flair. I couldn’t resist taking a shot with my AE card and the headquarters of the issuing bank.[/i]

[i]The Bund[/i][i]The Bund[/i][i]There’s also a boarding point for the double-decker sightseeing bus 🚌 right by the Bund. If you want a convenient tour of Shanghai’s famous sites, hop on this bus and check them off one by one. If you only love the Bund, you could also take a Huangpu River cruise – the river is especially beautiful at night.[/i]

[i]The Bund[/i][i]The Bund[/i][i]Finally, there’s a pretty wall with electronic butterflies 🦋 near the Bund. The little one walked past and fell in love, singing and dancing happily in front of them![/i]

[i]The Bund[/i]

Day 2 - Shanghai Disney Resort

After a simple night’s rest at a hotel near Disney, the exciting Disney day finally came. I felt just as thrilled as when I was a kid about to go on a school outing. This was my third visit to Shanghai Disney – after all, Hangzhou isn’t far from Shanghai, so it’s relatively easy to get here.

▪️ First time was not long after it opened, when my wife and I came to soak up the Disney atmosphere.

▫️ Second time was a company team-building trip, with a two-day ticket to go wild on all the rides.

▪️ This time, with our little one, hoping to give her a wonderful Disney experience.

-| 🔍 Spot: Shanghai Disney Resort

-| 📍 Address: Disney Resort, Shanghai

-| 🚘 Transport: 🚇 Metro Line 11, Disney Resort station

-| 🎫 Tickets: 545 yuan/person

-| ⏰ Opening hours: 8:30 am – 9:30 pm

-| 💘 Recommended: Nighttime spectacular + Chinese New Year fireworks

[i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]We stayed at a hotel near Disney and drove over in the morning. Taking it easy, we arrived around 8:30 am and parked in the Mickey parking lot – 100 yuan for the whole day, not too bad, at least hassle-free. We’d bought tickets online in advance; during the spring festival period, most prices were on the high side, and there were no affordable ticket-plus-meal-voucher packages. But thinking we’d get to experience the special New Year festivities made it all right.[/i]

[i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Maybe because we arrived a bit late and there were loads of early-bird tickets, by the time we entered the park after 9 am, it was already packed, and no FastPass cards were available. So we just went with the flow. A heads-up: all toy guns, including bubble-blowing toy guns, are not allowed. Our first ride after entering was the Carousel. The park has three spinning-type rides, and the Carousel is the most suitable for young kids, with a relatively shorter queue.[/i]

[i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]After that, we headed further in and saw that Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue had a short line – almost no wait, so we quickly did that. Then we went on the Hunny Pot Spin and watched a sing-along musical performance.[/i]

[i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]By lunchtime, we just ate our own snacks in the park. Afterwards, we did the Alice in Wonderland Maze, took photos around the castle 🏰, and admired world-famous paintings inside.[/i]

[i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]In the afternoon, while everyone was watching Mickey’s Storybook Express parade, the line for Pirates of the Caribbean got shorter. We queued for 45 minutes and rode it. Though the kid was a bit scared of the dark, she was really fascinated![/i]

[i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]I strongly suggest staggering your dinner time. Eat early, so you don’t wait long for a table, and you can line up for popular rides while others are still eating. We grabbed two set meals at the Food Republic, then a coffee from the Manner next door – decent value![/i]

[i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]In the evening, with smaller crowds, we did Peter Pan’s Flight. Then, while everyone was waiting for the fireworks show, we quickly rode the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in darkness. During the day, the Dwarfs ride usually had 150-minute waits, but in the evening it was just over half an hour. I have to say, trying a roller coaster 🎢 in complete darkness for the first time, with the whooshing night wind in my ears and brilliant fireworks in the sky, was a pretty amazing experience.[/i]

[i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Around 9 pm, it was time to get ready for the nighttime spectacular and fireworks show. We chose a spot to the right front of the castle. The light and projection show is a Disney staple and the one reason people stay so late. The Chinese New Year fireworks show is a limited-time holiday event, right after the main show. Crowd control was well managed; I’d worried it would be tiring with so many people, but actually, all spectators sat down for the entire show. Finally, I didn’t need to hoist the kid onto my shoulders! The view was clear, and it was easy to film the whole show.[/i]

[i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]After enjoying the spectacular and the New Year fireworks to our heart’s content, it was almost 10 pm. Only one task remained: shopping for souvenirs in the theme store. In the shop, we fully felt the enthusiasm of Disney fans – everyone was buying big basketfuls.[/i]

[i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]We bought our little one her favourite, a StellaLou. The medium size was just right for her to hug, with those tall ears standing up – so cute. Now it’s the most beloved plush toy by her bedside. By the way, StellaLou’s buddy, LinaBell, is hugely popular, and shelves were practically sold out.[/i]

[i]Shanghai Disney Resort[/i][i]Satisfied with the Disney Chinese New Year fireworks show, we drove contentedly back towards downtown Shanghai. Even though we’d be heading home the next day, we still wanted a hotel with a good location and comfortable stay. After some comparison, we settled on the Kempinski Hotel Shanghai in Lujiazui.[/i]

Day 2 - Hotel - Kempinski Hotel Shanghai

-| 🔍 Hotel: Kempinski Hotel Shanghai

-| 📍 Address: 1288 Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai

-| 🚘 Transport: 🚇 Metro Line 2, Lujiazui station

-| 💘 Recommended: Oriental Pearl Tower, Huangpu River view

The Kempinski’s location is fantastic – you can walk to the Huangpu River and the Oriental Pearl Tower. That’s exactly what attracted me. Those driving can park in the underground garage, which is free for hotel guests. Although we arrived after 11 pm from Disney, there were plenty of staff, and check-in was quick. The front desk lady even gave us a small upgrade from a city-view to a river-view room – big thumbs up! We chose a twin-bed room; pushed together, it was spacious enough for the three of us. The bathroom amenities were neatly arranged, which satisfied my inner perfectionist. On the table were welcome fruits and a little gift for the child. First off, I really love the Kempinski room key cards – the wooden texture combined with a Shanghai landmark. I wonder if all Kempinskis have such cards; they feel especially worth collecting. The hotel has fitness and swimming facilities, but due to chilly weather and time pressure, we skipped them. Don’t miss the pool if you like swimming! The hotel’s location is so great, you can look up and see the Oriental Pearl right downstairs. It’s also very close to shopping malls, with loads of dining options – definitely a place for a most comfortable stay.

Day 3 - Morning - Lujiazui

After a comfortable sleep, we woke to fantastic weather. After breakfast, we went for a stroll right downstairs. The whole Lujiazui area felt very pleasant. Though there are skyscrapers everywhere, it never feels oppressive, and the charming Huangpu River makes you feel incredibly relaxed.[/i]

[i]Lujiazui[/i][i]We walked along the road toward the Oriental Pearl Tower, enjoying the modern thrill brought by blue skies, white clouds, and towering buildings. Passed the Foxconn building and stopped at a lovely Starbucks there – a truly relaxing morning.[/i]

[i]Lujiazui[/i][i]Lujiazui[/i][i]Continuing toward the Oriental Pearl, from a distance it didn’t seem so big, but up close we realised how much taller and larger it really is. The little one, seeing the Oriental Pearl Tower up close for the first time, was super excited.[/i]

[i]Lujiazui[/i][i]Next to the Oriental Pearl Tower, there’s a pretty big Disney Store. If you only visit the city centre and don’t have time for Disney, you can still drop by here – there’s a good range of Disney merchandise.[/i]

[i]Lujiazui[/i][i]Turning at the foot of the Oriental Pearl, past Fenghe Road, then onto Binjiang Avenue, you get right up close to the Huangpu River. On a weekend morning, there aren’t too many people here, giving you an almost private experience.[/i]

[i]Lujiazui[/i][i]Further ahead, you can loop around to the back of the Oriental Pearl Tower, where the classic Oriental Pearl Park lies. Walking here feels a bit like a neighbourhood park from childhood – nothing overly fancy, just little bridges, streams, and lush greenery, enough to make for a perfect morning.[/i]

Day 3 - Lunch - Gui Man Long (Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street)

As for our last lunch in Shanghai being at Gui Man Long, I’d already thought of a headline: “What Did a Hangzhou Family of Three Think About Eating at Gui Man Long in Shanghai?” or “Can Gui Man Long Represent Hangzhou Cuisine? The Answer Is in This Guide!” That’s right. For our final meal in Shanghai, we chose the closest mall to the hotel – Super Brand Mall. A huge mall with loads of dining options, but we picked a Hangzhou-style restaurant that, oddly enough, we can’t find in Hangzhou: Gui Man Long.

-| 🔍 Restaurant: Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street (Super Brand Mall branch)

-| 📍 Address: 6F, Super Brand Mall, Shanghai

-| 🚘 Transport: 🚇 Metro Line 2, Lujiazui station

-| ⏰ Opening hours: 10:30 am – 9:30 pm

-| 💘 Recommended: Finger-licking chicken feet

[i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i][i]Gui Man Long is a pretty popular Hangzhou-style restaurant in Shanghai, with loads of branches, each given a very Hangzhou-themed name. For instance, this one in Super Brand Mall is called “Southern Song Imperial Street.” There’s a funny little backstory: after sitting down, my wife realised she’d eaten here with her mum two years ago – the exact same branch. What a coincidence! Honestly, from the décor to the dishes, it does resemble Green Tea restaurant in Hangzhou. I even looked it up and found they’re not the same chain. But that doesn’t matter – good food is king![/i]

[i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i][i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i][i]The absolute star today was the finger-licking chicken feet. Our whole family, from little to big, fell in love. We ordered a portion of three, and it wasn’t enough; we polished it off and ordered another. Coming from Hangzhou, we’ve eaten countless braised chicken feet, but not many make us call for a second round – Gui Man Long is one of those. This style of chicken foot is quite common in Hangzhou, but their seasoning is spot on: rich but not cloying, paired with that soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Loved it, loved it.[/i]

[i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i][i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i][i]The stone pot bullfrog with Hangzhou peppers is also my wife’s favourite. While we couldn’t find chopped-chilli bullfrog anywhere, a sizzling stone pot version turned out to be excellent. I’m not entirely sure if this qualifies as traditional Hangzhou cuisine, but it’s definitely a sizzling hot dish in Hangzhou right now – let’s call it neo-Hangzhou food. The frog legs are large, meaty, and firm; it’s most enjoyable right when the stone pot arrives, still spluttering, with that crisp exterior and tender interior. The Hangzhou peppers aren’t very hot, just a subtle flavour note, and the sauce is rich and deeply infused.[/i]

[i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i][i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i][i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i][i]The water spinach with fermented tofu has a slight sweetness that suits Hangzhou palates. But maybe due to the season, the vegetable wasn’t as tender as it could be; otherwise, it would’ve been perfect.[/i]

[i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i][i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i][i]Lastly, we ordered a seafood and jade noodle soup that kids adore, with plenty of seafood. The broth is naturally umami-rich; I had three small bowls, and the little one had two – we were thoroughly full heading back to Hangzhou![/i]

[i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i][i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i]

Day N - Looking Ahead to 2023

A short Shanghai trip came to an end. Who knows how many beautiful scenes we’ve missed over these years. In 2023, we’ll keep on travelling. Go, go, go!!!

[i]Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street[/i]

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