Toothbrush? Check. CW mag? Check. You're set for the long weekend
So, the three-day May weekend has snuck up. Sneaky bastard. Even though you can't get away for the week, there are still plenty of places just a train, bus or cab ride away, that won't be overrun with people and are well worth your 72 hours of non-working bliss. Grab your overnight bag and start packing.

Ashley Woo & Lee Mack

Shaoxing Fandian

Welcome to 
Wine Country
Most Shanghailanders never get past Hangzhou. A shame, because Shaoxing is the Suzhou of your dreams, all-quiet canals lined by traditional buildings; with no tourists. Base yourself at the Shaoxing Fandian, at the foot of a wooded hill right at the center of town. Built in traditional style with whitewashed walls and dark tiled roofs, it's got rooms overlooking a shady canal. The xianhengjiudian is the place to find the Shaoxing specialty alcohol: huangjiu. Unfortunately, the street it's on is under renovation and has (temporarily) lost much of its charm. But you can buy huangjiu anywhere, so stroll the cangjie, an old street which follows a quiet canal, buy a bottle and take a spin in a wupengchuan and see life from water level. During the day, head to the Keyan scenic area (Keyan jingqu) and marvel at the 10-meter Buddha carved out of a huge hunk of free-standing granite, dating back to the Tang dynasty. If you're down for some hiking, the trek to the temple at the top of kuaiji mountain is tiring, but worth it for the fresh air, bird chatter, aromatic incense and unparalleled views.

Get there: Be sure to buy a ticket on the tekuai train which takes just under three hours.
Details: http://www.hotel-shaoxing.com, 8515-5888, 9 Shaoxing Shihuanshan Lu

Naked Retreats

The (Not So) Bare Essentials
For a back-to-basics escape, three days at Naked Retreats will bring tranquility to even the most jaded city dweller. This carbon-conscious getaway is located just three hours from Shanghai in the heart of idyllic Mogan Mountain. Naked Retreats offers a range of beautifully designed bungalows, studios and lodges to accommodate small and large groups looking to get away. There is also plenty of nature to be explored, and Moganshan offers a vast expanse of hiking and mountain biking trails. For a more leisurely outing, a stroll in the nearby bamboo forest or an afternoon fishing in the reservoir may resound a blissful melody. Perhaps what is most enticing is that at Naked Retreats, life imitates nature and this is reflected in the establishment's philosophy. "Different guests take different experiences away when they come to stay," says Gabriela Lo, managing director of Naked Retreats. "We do not want to tell them how to live or enjoy their time, we just want to provide the space and opportunity for people to enjoy nature without the hassle." In short, Naked Retreats is simple, natural, perfection.

Get there: By train from the Shanghai South Station to the Hangzhou Main Station. Private pick-up from Hangzhou to Moganshan can be arranged.
Details: Prices range from ￥500 per person per day (shared room) to ￥6,500 per house per day (full lodge accommodating up to 17 people)

Tuha Hotel

An Unbelievable Sunset
The Tuha hotel, built on a lonely slope on the eastern shore of Taihu Lake, feels like the set of China's own Shining. It's a three-star resort which, for years, was the private playpen of China's oil elite. It opened to the public in 2006, but the public hasn't quite caught on yet, and it remains an undiscovered gem just two hours from Shanghai. Ask for the "haobiao," the best room of the standard lot, situated directly over the lake. People come to the Tuha for the fresh air and lake views, but the real draw is the Taihu sunset. Facing directly west, guests at the Tuha enjoy unimpeded, front row seats for a sight which has inspired Chinese poets for centuries. The next day, take the ferry to nearby Manshan Island (manshan dao, ￥20), an undeveloped knoll of land perfect for enjoying a picnic lunch. Or, head to peaceful Guangfu Temple (tongguang yinsiyu guangfuta) and marvel at the 1,000-year-old copper Buddha. On your way back to the hotel, stop for dinner at the Taihu Boat Food Street (taihuchauncaijie), a Vegas-looking strip of seafood restaurants, for the catch of the day, a plate of the famed Taihu sanbai shrimp and endless beers.

Get there: Take the dongchezu train to Suzhou for ￥30, then get a cab to the hotel (approx. ￥150).
Details: Standard rooms come with lake-facing sitting areas and are a bargain at ￥560; (05-12) 6693-1591

Le Meridien She Shan Shanghai

Your Golf Oasis
Le Meridien She Shan Shanghai is a five-star oasis in Shanghai's suburban sprawl. Located in a national forest and built like a castle (complete with a moat), it's a redoubt against the urban elements. The flood of families who pile in for Kid's Carnival on Saturday and the Sunday Brunch, testify to its popularity among the mom 'n pop expat set, but it's also a favorite destination for duffers searching for weekend action. Unless you're a well-connected billionaire, you won't see any tee time at the She Shan Golf Course, but nearby is the 27-hole Tianma course featuring world-class golf, a spa and a golf academy to help hone your swing. The next day, hike around the forested Sheshan and visit the Catholic Cathedral, built over a century ago. After your day out, kick back with a cocktail on Le Meridien's outdoor deck while the sun sets over Yuehu Lake, enjoy the view ... and wonder what exactly that massive radio antenna out there might be for.

Get there: Via the newly opened Metro Line 9.
Details: Until June 30, for ￥1,600 (inclusive) get a night in a superior room along with 18 holes at the Tianma Golf Course (weekend prices higher). Also enjoy extras like breakfast at Le Cafe, a drink at Shandy Bar and access to the health club. 5779-9999, 
 http://www.starwoodhotels.com

Hangzhou State Guest House

A Western Escapade
Lying on the tranquil west bank of West Lake (Xihu), the Hangzhou State Guest house which has hosted over 40 international heads of state and government leaders, offers elegance and serenity and a bit of history only three hours from Shanghai. The peach flowers are in bloom during the spring, and guests can enjoy their sweet fragrance while strolling through this luxury hotel's waterside pavilions. If you're looking for a modern-day escape, enjoy a game of golf on their world-class golf course or practice your backhand on the tennis courts. And, of course, no visitor to Hangzhou can forgo the West Lake, which can be enjoyed from the hotel's premier yacht. Just a short drive from the Hangzhou State Guest House lies Solitary Hill (Tashan), the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei (Yue Fei Mu, tickets are ￥25), the Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liu He Ta) and the Ling Yin Temple (Ling Yin Si). Sample local delicacies like jiaohua ji, a chicken dish, or xihu cuyu, sweet and sour fish, and wile the evening away at a teahouse overlooking the water. Certainly, a stay at the Hangzhou State Guest House is a decoupage of the traditional and the trendy, the serene and the swanky.

Get there: Take the train from the Shanghai South Station to the Hangzhou Main Station.
Details: Book online via Ctrip or call 571-8797-9889-7806; from ￥1,150 for a standard shared room

A New Take on Staying Local

Although staying in Shanghai might feel like a run-of-the-mill getaway, there are groups in Shanghai making sure that 
staying local still means getting away from the ordinary.

Active Adventures

Reach new heights and maybe even nirvana on one of Bohdisattva Bikes' (more commonly known as Bohdi Bikes) mountain biking tours. Bodhi offers day-long, overnight and extended trips to locations around Shanghai and across China for a range of rider experience levels. Over May break they're running a family trip to Chongming Island, and a longer trip to Jinghua and Tianmu Lake in addition to their normal rides like overnight trips to Moganshan and a beginner's ride in Sheshan. Can we say, namaste?
Web: http://www.bohdi.com.cn

Aquatic Engagements

Stay in Shanghai and have an adventure with Big Blue SCUBA Diving International. Although the school is mainly known for its scuba trips down to S.E. Asia and its PADI certification courses, they also offer local adventures like "Swim with Belugas" and "Dive with Sharks" right here in Shanghai. Using the city's local marine institutions, Big Blue gives you an adventure without ever leaving the green zone. They bring the equipment and the instructor, and you just have to listen up and then enjoy your time in the tanks with (harmless) sharks, rays, eels and sea turtles and more.
Web: http://www.big-blue.cn

Cultural Crusades

The Chinese Culture Club offers a variety of three-day tours, the perfect short escape for the May holiday or any other long weekend. Upcoming trips include places like Yan'an and Yellow River Waterfall, and the Water Splashing Festival at subtropical Xishuangbanna. Even if you're not in the mood to travel, CCC also hosts educational and fun classes, from massage to ma-jiang and cooking to calligraphy.
Web: http://www.chinesecultureclub.org