Go directly to Pudong. Do not pass the Oriental Pearl Tower. Do not collect 200 yuan.

It's the beginning of December in China and "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" keeps playing in the grocery store (damn you, Lotus ... or should we say Blotus?) so that can mean only one thing: Christmas is quickly approaching! So here you are preparing for the holiday season. You've already purchased your real tree. And, you've been preparing your killer rum apple cider recipe, that turned your last holiday party into a sleepover (good times!). But wait, it seems that you forgot something ... the gifts! Look no further than to a recent addition to Shanghai — Toys 'R' Us!

On November 1, Toys 'R' Us entered into the Mainland Chinese market with its first store opening right here in Shanghai. Toys 'R' Us stocks up on a wide range of 7,000 items for all of Shanghai's bundles of joy. From magic tricks, to strollers, to Lego castles, to Toy Story dolls, Toys 'R' Us brings back all of Shanghaiist's fondest memories of childhood, minus the beatings unusual expressions of love.

Located at the the Super Brand Mall ... wait, hold up ... we know what you are thinking, "Isn't that in...*gasp*...Pudong!?" Since Shanghaiist lives in Pudong and knows each passageway across the Huangpu like Harry Potter and his Marauder's Map, so this is not a big deal. For those Puxi people, bring an overnight bag and put on a pair of comfortable walking shoes, because you've got to take the trip over the river for one reason: BOARD GAMES! (...and possibly House of Flour).

We were almost frantic at the sight of a Chinese edition of Monopoly (地产大享) just casually sitting on the Toys 'R' Us shelf as if it was nothing special at all. While the general color scheme and traditional Monopoly elements are in tact, some differences exist. The most obvious difference is that that it's, naturally, in Chinese. However, even if you can't read Chinese, the Chinese edition of Monopoly certainly makes landing on certain places more exciting. Why land on Indiana Ave. when you can buy Xuhui instead? For inquiring minds, the four railways are Chongqing Railway Station, Shanghai Station, Beijing West Station, and Guangzhou Station, in order of their placement on the board. At 200 RMB, it's a bit much for ol' penny-pinching Shanghaiist to selfishly buy for himself, but giving it to a friend obsessed with real estate or another loved one is a given. Who wouldn't want to spend those cold Shanghai winter nights curling up with your lover for a game of high stakes Monopoly?

Should Monopoly not suit your game night needs, Life, Risk, Cranium, Clue, Jenga, and a ton of other fun toys are also available.

Although, Toys 'R' Us is already open for business, the official grand opening will take place on Friday, December 8, starting at 11 am.

Toys 'R' Us is located at the Super Brand Mall near the Lujiazui Subway Station (Line 2) in Pudong district, 4/F, No. 168 West Lujiazui Road, Pudong district.
玩具"反"斗城, 在正大广场, 地铁二号线陆家嘴站. 四楼, 浦东新区陆家嘴西路168号

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