11 totally fresh things to do when the air is clean in Shanghai

Whether the sky is blue because of a big diplomatic meeting in the 'hood, a storm cleaning out the clouds or just plain luck, clean air in Shanghai is cause for celebration. Ignoring the fact that this is a pretty depressing state of affairs, here are 11 great ways to make the most of all that sweet, sweet oxygen.

Go up the Shanghai Tower

A good sign that the time is right to visit the Shanghai Tower is when you actually can see the top of the thing, and a smog-free day is ideal for making the most of the 119th-floor viewing platform. Tickets currently cost 160RMB for adults and 120RMB for children, but the potential reward – the chance to be atop the second-tallest building in the world – is priceless.

Go on this Jinmao walkway thing

You won’t be as high up as on the Shanghai Tower, but this Jinmao walkway on the outside of the top of the building is not for the faint-hearted. It brings the Mount Hua experience of walking along a narrow walkway (with safety gear) to the heart of Shanghai. You certainly won’t want the added challenge of choking on smog under such nerve-wracking circumstances, so it's definitely worth waiting for a clear day if you can.

Go running

Come on, you know you use the pollution as an excuse not to do exercise for the rest of the year. Check out some of our favourite running routes in the city on our website, from Xuhui Riverside to Suzhou Creek. There are also various one-off running events around town, including the upcoming Color Run at the end of September.

Get on your bike

We've got some great cycling routes around the city on our website for you to get peddling, and you can check out our top bike shops for picking up a bike that best suits your physique too. Alternatively, you can rent a Mobike, one of Shanghai's newest and trendiest public bikes, for as little as 1RMB - find out how to rent them here.

It is best to be familiar with Shanghai’s road etiquette (or lack thereof) before you start venturing around on bike. However, once you have gotten a grasp of the traffic situation, you can even cross the Huangpu River by ferry with your bike, for a pittance of 2.8RMB (tickets are purchased at the dock).

Go for a walk

One of the things we love about Shanghai is how much you can discover by simply taking a stroll - and we've got a comprehensive updated list of great walks on our website for when you fancy some exploring on foot.

Do brunch al-fresco

We don't need much excuse to head to one of the city's best al-fresco brunch spots when the sun comes out - and you find the list of them right here. And if the air is clean too, well that's even more reason to get out there and do breakfast in style.

Leave work early and head to a rooftop bar

We've compiled a list of the best rooftop bars in the city so you can impress your friends by taking them to the coolest spots in town for a cocktail with a view. There are also some great hidden terrace bars worth discovering for a more intimate drink that you can find by clicking 'read more' below. Need we say more?

Visit an amusement park

With amusement parks in the West, South and East of Shanghai, you are never too far from a thrill. WhileShanghai Disneyland is notorious for its heavy crowds, check out the lesser-known Happy Valley and Jinjiang Amusement Park; they may not be as glamorous as Disney, but they'll provide a somewhat more Old School thrill or two. Right next to the Jinjiang Amusement Park is the Shanghai Shilin Night Market (21 May-31 Oct) where you can taste scrumptious Taiwanese snacks.

Have a picnic

Spend an afternoon lying on some of Shanghai’s greenest spaces with friends, accompanied preferably by a large basket of provisions. Don't forget your eye shades for taking a nap in the sun.

Fly a kite

Don’t imagine that you have outgrown this hobby since you were a child; the best kites these days are not only designed for children, with large frames, classy designs and 1500 metre-long Kevlar string. The best place for flying kites in Shanghai might just be Pudong's Century Park.

Climb Mount Tianma

Standing at 100 metres high, Mount Tianma is Shanghai’s highest natural peak. It isn't really a mountain (given its underwhelming height), and shouldn't take too much time effort to the top and back down. It still offers scenic trails, and the absence of cars, buildings and crowds makes it a delightful breakaway from the crush of the city.