The Spring Festival break is just around the corner, with Chinese New Year next Sunday. While the routine for many people is to spend the holiday "eating or on the way to eat" or "crashed on the couch all day," why not choose another option for welcoming the Year of the Snake? Perhaps indulge in a spot of retail therapy; or explore China's different cultures; visit a winter wonderland; or just laze on the beach. Shanghai Daily has come up with some shopping, folk culture and leisure options. Whether you're a travel fan, a shutterbug or just want to add to your wardrobe, you're sure to find something to suit you.
Festival Getaways
Spring to the shops
Shanghai - hidden gems
Shopping in Shanghai over the holiday can be a surprisingly relaxed experience, for at least one third of the city's population has left for the break. So it's the ideal time to go on the trail of some stylish purchases, whether down quiet streets or in newly opened malls.
Movous Collection
Shaoxing Road is a very short and quiet road between Ruijin Road and Maoming Road with high-end old-style villas, beautiful French phoenix trees and popular cafes and restaurants.
Zhou Lanfan, a local fashion designer widely known as Saya, opened her bespoke fashion store Movous in a three-story house there, with her partner Xie Anyuan (Ang), also a local designer.
Specialties include party and wedding dresses, though Zhou promises, "we'll design and make whatever you want."
China's weekly story (2013.01.27-01.31)