Good luck trying to nab a treadmill, or enough space for your own two feet. Enter rock climbing – full body workout, group activity, not as fanatically popular as gyms and yoga classes, all check. If you call early, you’ll be able to book a slot for a group of your friends too.
Shanghai is home to one of China’s biggest indoor climbing walls, but it’s far from the only option in town. LAVIEZINE checks out six walls to scale for all abilities.
Shanghai Stadium 上海体育场攀岩运动中心
Shanghai Stadium has a rock climbing wall situated at entrance 6, so called “the highest and best indoor wall in China”. There are 8 main walls that easily reach 20m in height, with varying degrees of difficulty. 6 of the 8 feature overhang, plenty to keep even the more experienced ones busy, and for the beginners, there’s a dedicated staff crew on hand to help you with your equipment and such.
Address: Entrance 6 Shanghai Stadium, 666 Tianyaoqiao Lu, near Lingling Lu, Xuhui District
Tel: 021 6426 6666, 021 64265178
Website: http://www.rockclimb.cn
Hours: 10:00-22:00
How Much: RMB 70 (weekdays), RMB 80 (weekends & public hols)
Membership:
Single-time Card A (10 times / 3 months) RMB 450
Single-time Card B (10 times / 3 months, incl. training fee) RMB 650
Annual Card RMB 2800/pax
Couple Card RMB 4200
Training:
1-2/pax, 10 classes – RMB 2200/pax
3-6/pax, 10 classes – RMB 1800/pax
Hengyi Rock Climbing Gym
Hongkou Football Stadium has Shanghai’s second largest indoor wall housed on its second floor, over at Gate 21. It’s not particularly shiny and modern, things actually look a tad tired and worn with all the graffiti, but the instructors are friendly and experienced enough, and safety procedures are taken quite seriously.
Address: 2/F Hongkou Football Stadium, 444 Dongjiangwan Lu, near Sichuan Bei Lu, Hongkou Distrist
Tel: 021 5696 6657
Hours: 10:00-22:00
How Much:
Standard – RMB 60 (weekdays), RMB 70 (weekends)
Student – RMB 50 (weekdays), RMB 60 (weekends)
Group (over 10) – RMB 50 (weekdays), RMB 60 (weekend)
Membership: RMB 2000 (annual), RMB 1300 (6 months), RMB 750 (seasonal), RMB 350 (single-time, 10 uses in 1 year)
Rockdancing Climbing Centre 上海岩舞空间攀岩
Rockdancing Climbing Centre is large and pleasantly open-air, so a lot less stuffy than many other spots in town. Although the walls are tall, they only offer a one-direction climb that more experienced climbers would find a little less satisfying, but it’s good enough for the casual climber. A range of membership cards available, from seasonal to annual and half yearly.
Address: 105 Floor 1A, Sports LOFT Creative Base, 128 Huayuan Lu, near Zhongshan Bei Yi Lu, Hongkou District
Tel: 021 3636 8028
Website: http://www.rockdancing.com/
Hours: 13:00-22:00 (weekdays), 10:00-22:00 (weekends & hols)
How Much: RMB 60 (weekdays), RMB 70 (weekend)
Membership:
Single-Time Card RMB 450/10 times
Monthly Card RMB 450/month
Seasonal Card RMB 850/3 months
Half Annual Card RMB 1600/pax
Annual Card RMB 2200/pax, RMB 3500/pax (incl. personal training classes)
Training:
Mon-Fri RMB 1500/month
Private Coach RMB 2500/month
TNF Magic Rock
TNF in the Huangpu area offers a small discount if you reserve online, and they do monthly and annual membership programs as well. They also host a climbing exchange meeting every month, and a climbing competition every year, good place to meet similar rock climbing enthusiasts.
Address: 3/F 327 Jiujiang Lu, near Shandong Zhong Lu, Huangpu District
Tel: 021 6155 2578, 021 6155 2576
Website: http://www.magirock.com
Hours: 13:00-21:30 (weekdays), 10:00-21:30 (weekends & hols)
How Much: RMB 100, RMB 70 (online reservations)
Membership:
Single-Time Card RMB 600/10 times, RMB 1000/20 times
Monthly Card RMB 400/month
Annual Card RMB 3000/pax
Training: RMB 200/lesson, RMB 800/3 lessons
Giant Rock Climbing Centre 巨石攀岩馆
Pudong-ers, you’re in luck, there’s a rock climbing centre over at your side of town, and it’s pretty decent by any measure. Giant Rock Climbing Centre claims to offer the largest climbing area in the country, with facilities that are of international standards. Go forth and enjoy.
Address: 2/F 777 Deping Lu, near Yushan Lu, Pudong New Area
Tel: 021 50871521 / 137 64234818
Hours: 10:00-22:00
How Much: RMB 120/pax
Membership:
Single-Time Card RMB 660/10 times
Seasonal Card RMB 1200/3 months
Annual Card RMB 3200/pax
Training: RMB 200/2 hrs
Pan Wang Indoors Rock Climbing Centre
Pan Wang is one of the cheapest options in town, probably because they’re located away from the usual areas of Jing’an, Xuhui or Huangpu. Instructors are meticulous and dedicated, and the center pretty clean and bright. Apparently offers free parking too, but do call to make sure.
Address: 380 Jintong Lu, Putuo District
Tel: 021 66950156
Hours: 13:0021:00 (weekdays), 10:00-21:00 (weekends)
How Much: RMB 50/pax (group booking online available)
Membership:
Single-Time Card RMB 350/10 times
Annual Card RMB 1800/pax
Training: RMB 110/lesson