Where will you be when the big baozi drops?

By Derek Sandhaus

The new year is almost upon us and it's time to start making plans for the big night. One option is to drop a lot of cash on an upscale option like Bar Rouge's Monarchy Party (black-tie and pleasant smelling flatulence required) or Xintiandi's S.H.E.-licious Countdown Bash .

For some of us though, New Year's Eve is all about the simple pleasures in life like open-mouthed kisses with horse-faced strangers and drinking cheap booze until you fall down. These activities can be enjoyed anywhere, but a special setting is preferable and Shanghai has several to offer.

Last year, we found ourselves at Longhua Temple for the ringing of the New Year's bell. Though this does actually have a steep cover (200RMB drinks not included), we opted to throw back a few Reebs bottles of select local spirits in the public square outside. This came free of charge and included:

1. Fireworks!
2. The Longhua Bell, which rings a whopping 108 times.
3. An envy inspiring pagoda.
4. Monkey-wielding beggars.

Now we know that not everyone is a fan of the Longhua monkey-beggars, but, if you absolutely must see a monkey do a few back flips and shake a few hands, 12:15am on New Year's day is probably the best time to do so.

We also know that there are countdowns at Time Square (the one in Shanghai), the Jade Buddha Temple, and we assume that there will be some fireworks on the Bund. A list of New Year's events was published yesterday in the People's Daily and can be accessed here .

What are you doing to ring in the New Year (and where will we ever find cheap booze in Shanghai)?

Photo from meckleychina