New Year's Eve 2012 with the SHEXpats

With so many options to celebrate one of the biggest party nights of the year, ShanghaiExpat asked a few of our socially tuned-in members to share their experiences on New Year's Eve. You know, so you can compare notes and figure out if you hit or missed the party of the year. Here is what went down with four expats in Shanghai on NYE 2012.

Masked Pétillante Night 6^th at Belloco with Lasse Gebbers

Under the theme "Masked Pétillante Night 6th at Belloco", the art bar Belloco invited everyone to their masquerade. Everyone was giving a mask at the entrance and to add to the fun they created a game around the masks. Of each mask there were only 5 others, so the goal was to find your mask and maybe soul mates. Great idea and as a reward you were gifted with great group prices from Belloco. Because of all the fun, the night went by faster than expected and most people were surprised when the countdown started. A great night, with lot's of great people and good drinks and snacks.

Putuo Shan with Mike Au

Having spent the last 8 NYE's in Shanghai, this year instead of the normal drunken madness that we usually descend into, the Mrs. and I decided to go in a different direction. We took a quiet, peace-filled trip to Putuo Shan, one of the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Trading in a crazy NYE celebration for a 12-hour boat ride in a small, dank room with 6 strangers rewarded us with all the peace and tranquility this island had to offer. Arriving at dawn and seeing the beautiful sunrise over the harbor was a very welcome change to the hustle and bustle of Shanghai city living. After riding the gondola lifts to the top of the mountain, our New Years Day was spent with a leisurely hike down from the summit, where along the way we visited several temples and scenic spots. Definitely not your typical NYE celebration, but if you've outgrown getting drunk and throwing up out of the open door of a moving taxi in the Yan'an Road tunnel then maybe, just maybe, Putuo Shan for NYE is just the change you've been looking for.

NYE Massive with Mike Finstad

An empty warehouse, finely-dressed people, and music pumped by world-famous DJs so hard through the spot that you could feel it vibrating through your soul – from outside. I showed up to the party with about 15 minutes left until midnight (friendly tip for next year – avoid taking cabs near the Bund on New Year's Eve). It wasn't packed, but there was little chance of getting close to the DJ at that point. Mumbai Science (I think) was playing as the clock struck 12. After a brief intermission for New Year's Eve kisses and hugs (and whatever else), the music blasted and video screens started playing vintage clips of Chinese life that synchronized with the beat. The bar was also a plus, considering 3 Jim Beam and Cokes only cost a cool 100RMB. There were also a couple of performances in the center of the dance floor, like a dragon on stilts and an acrobat doing tricks in mid-air, both of which were at least mildly entertaining. In terms of New Year's Eve activities, there were probably better things going on in Shanghai, but I'm glad I didn't miss NYE Massive.