When you reminisce about those unforgettable years in high school, I have no doubt that the moments you cherish the most are of the classroom: all those times spent learning and studying in the name of academic improvement. Ha! All jokes aside, we know that studying hard is crucial to the high school experience, but spending time with your friends outside of school is just as important. After all, some of these experiences will leave a mark long after graduation.

Fortunately, we live in a city that is filled to the brim with things to do and places to hang out, along with a convenient public transport system that makes it very easy to travel around Shanghai. It’s fun and exciting to find your own neat spots to chill with friends, but in case you don’t have time for that, here are some great places for high school students to hang out in Pudong.

When you think of Shanghai, the first thing that crosses the minds of most is the urban skyline of the financial district: Lujiazui. Lujiazui is a remarkable area that showcases the modern and trendy side of Shanghai. Naturally, this area is the go-to place for shopping and entertainment in Pudong. If shopping is what you are looking for, the IFC is a luxury shopping mall with countless designer brands. Beyond shopping, there’s also a great movie theatre in the mall, as well as restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, bakeries, etc. And, if 150 shops and 60 restaurants are not enough, Super Brand Mall is just a five-minute walk away, offering almost 300 more stores.

Shopping isn’t for everyone though, and that’s where the Bund comes in. The Pudong side of the Bund (Binjiang Avenue, located right outside of Super Brand Mall), is a seemingly endless stretch along the Pudong side of the Huangpu river that is the perfect place to hang out with friends, as there are many spots where you can sit down and unwind with a perfect view of the river and of Puxi. I would recommend going there at night, when you can really marvel at the lights of Shanghai’s skyscrapers. And don’t forget to bring a camera!

What if sometimes you just want to get away from the lights and the noise of downtown? No problem! There are a lot of natural parks around the city where you can relax, the most notable being Century Park, located 10 minutes away from our YCIS Pudong Century Park Campus by car. This huge park is known for its natural scenery and calm atmosphere, perfect for get-togethers when you don’t want to be locked in an urban environment. The park even offers boat rides and a mini amusement park in case you need a little excitement. Right next to the park is the Kerry Parkside, another mall (smaller than the ones in Lujiazui) where you can shop, eat, and hang out.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing stroll through nature or an adventure under extravagant skyscrapers, Pudong is the perfect playground for teenagers. The places and things to do I mentioned here are barely scratching the surface! There’s an abundance of places to hang out and interesting things to do without leaving this side of the river, so go outside and take advantage of your high school years in this diverse city!

By Oufan, Year 12, YCIS Pudong Secondary

This article was first published in the September 2019 print edition of Shanghai Daily's Education Express.