Postcard from Shanghai

Tennis has rapidly become one of the most popular sports in China, now ranking as the third most-watched on television behind football and basketball. The Chinese Tennis Association has invested heavily in the sport, with an estimated 14 million people playing across the country.

The Rolex Shanghai Masters remains the jewel of the Asian swing. In 2026, the tournament is scheduled to take place from 7 October to 18 October. While past legends like Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic have dominated the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, the stage is now set for the next generation, led by world-class talents like Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune.

Shanghai Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena

Construction on the Qi Zhong Stadium began in 2003 to match the city's tennis ambitions. The stadium is world-renowned for its retractable steel roof—a pinwheel design that opens and closes in a spiral. Its eight sliding petal-shaped pieces are designed to resemble a blooming magnolia, Shanghai’s official city flower. Each winner of this ATP Masters 1000 event receives a Royal Selangor Pewter trophy, which serves as a perpetual symbol of the stadium's iconic roof.

What to do in Shanghai

Shanghai, which literally means "City on the Sea," is a vibrant, historic, and increasingly sophisticated metropolis on the Yangzi River Delta.

The Bund: The city's beating heart. Take a stroll to see the Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower or visit the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre for a look at the first 30 years of the People’s Republic.
Shanghai Racquet Club: Located just a few miles from the main stadium, the Shanghai Racquet Club offers six indoor and seven outdoor Har-Tru clay courts. International pros run a full range of programmes, including academies and round robins.
Table Tennis: If you want to try the sport of Chinese champions, visit the Qinlao Village Table Tennis Club or the Sunshine Table Tennis Club to test your skills with a paddle.

Shop

Shanghai offers everything from high-street prestige to luxury Chinese labels.

Luxury Malls: For international brands like Prada and Karl Lagerfeld, head to Westgate Mall, Plaza 66, or the Jing An Kerry Centre.
Xintiandi Street: A stylish district where Chinese luxury brands like Shanghai Tang, Uma Wang, and Ban Xiaoxue reside alongside chic wine bars.
AP Plaza: For those looking for "luxury without the price tag" (well-crafted alternatives), visit the Xinyang Fashion Market. Be prepared to use WeChat Pay and bargain hard.

Eat, drink and be merry

Shanghai's dining scene is a world-class fusion of traditional Shanghainese flavours and international innovation.

Jean-Georges Shanghai: Located at Bund 3, Jean-Georges offers an impeccable fusion of French and Asian flavours with stunning views of the skyline.
Hakkasan Shanghai: Situated in the illustrious Bund 18, Hakkasan is known for its modern Cantonese cuisine and trendy atmosphere.
Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings): No visit is complete without trying these. The Guyi Garden Restaurant in Nanxiang is a historic favourite, located in a 16th-century mansion where the dish reportedly originated.
Historic Villas: Explore Fu 1088 for traditional Shanghainese menus in a Shikumen mansion, or Yongfoo Elite, which offers European-Asian fusion in a historic former consulate building.
Peace Hotel Jazz Bar: End the evening at the Fairmont Peace Hotel, where the legendary "Old Jazz Band" plays 1920s riffs in an Art Deco setting.

Sleep

In Shanghai, the best way to escape the bustle is to go up.

J Hotel: Occupying the top floors of the Shanghai Tower, the J Hotel is one of the highest hotels in the world, offering spacious staterooms with panoramic views of the city's spiral.
The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi: Located in the city's premier entertainment hub, The Langham combines sophisticated luxury with modern art.
Capella Shanghai: For a ground-level sanctuary, the Capella is set within a cluster of 1930s Shikumen townhouses in the Xuhui District, offering all-luxury villas and a nod to old Shanghai.
Jing An Shangri-La: Situated in the upscale Jing An district, the Shangri-La offers reliable luxury and excellent proximity to high-end shopping and transport links.