Your final checklist before the expat exodus

Our time in Shanghai is often short at best–we're here on contracts, (now) temporary F visas and really, for as long as life is good. As we raise our glasses over and over again to friends who are leaving, and help pack up the lives of those who've set the Olympics as their departure date–or begin to pack ourselves, we've all been reminded of the transient nature of expat existence. Although parting is such sweet sorrow, it gives us an excuse to finally get around to all those things we say we're going to do "sometime." Sometime is now. Live up life in Shanghai before the new wave of expats rolls in and we become the old guard. If you haven't been around long enough to know where all these venues are or just need a refresher, we've put together the perfect PDF of all the listing you'll need.

-Enjoy a drink outside on Taikang Lu.

-Talk Gary Wang into giving you a DJ lesson at The Lab.

-We double dare you to eat anything and everything on a stick from the street barbecues on Wujiang Lu. You might discover a new favorite food before you leave. Bonus points for trying a piece of stinky tofu. It'll be bragging rights if nothing else.

-The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel has to be seen to be believed–the flashing lights, the dramatic announcements of "Heaven" and "Hell," and the complete lack of any opportunity for sightseeing. Do it drunk, do it sober, whatever, just make sure you do it before you go.

-Remember when you first arrived in Shanghai and did a double take every time you opened a menu and saw chicken feet? You've now reached the point where the more unusual dishes barely register. If you want to prove how fully you've immersed yourself in Chinese culture before you leave, head to Ba Guo Bu Yi on Dongfang Lu for rabbit head, Quan Ju De for duck chin and Hai Di Lao Hot Pot for just about anything (but they're known for their pig brain and cow stomach hot pot). Eat every last bite. We can assure you, you will never have this opportunity again.

-Make dumplings at The Kitchen...at Huaihai Lu.

-Learn how to say this in Chinese: "Hey driver, why have you taken me through this maze of traffic-congested back streets when a simple left turn at the lights would have saved us 15 minutes?" Actually, don't bother with this one, it won't be much good to you anymore.

-You can't leave without a tailored suit or dress from the Shanghai South Bund Fabric Market tucked into your luggage. It can be disappointing if you get something badly made, so our tip is to leave time for adjustments if necessary (at least two weeks). Also bring a Chinese speaker with you to translate the details of what you want and then don't forget to ask around to get a sense of what is a good price for what you want, then haggle hard.

-Get pearls for mom at the Hongqiao International Pearl City.

-Learn a martial art. Everyone at home will expect you to be able to bust out some kicks. Try the Longwu International Kungfu Center or Kyokushinkai-Kan Karate for lessons.

-See a Shanghai Shenhua FC match at Hongkou Stadium with Shanghai's local soccer fans.

-Take a walk along 50 Moganshan Lu's (m50) art galleries and studios. Jin Xuanmin's photography gallery (No. 7) has photographs of East meeting West in Shanghai. The smaller photos sell for a few hundred kuai and make a great souvenir of the city.

-Push the limits of all-you-can-eat-and-drink at Tairyo Teppanyaki.

-Be a tourist and go to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. See what Shanghai really looks like–and what it will look like long after you're gone.

-You can't miss final cocktails at a bar with a Bund view. The old favorites are still the best: Vue Bar at Hyatt on the Bund for an almost 360 degree view, Attica for partying on the balcony, Captain's Hostel Bar for low-key and slightly cheaper drinks and, of course, The Glamour Bar for lip-smacking cocktails.

-Take a trip to the Shanghai Circus World for the acrobatic show. You can't leave Shanghai without seeing motorbikes spinning around in a cage and fire-juggling action. Feeling unsure about whether or not the performers are on top of their game only adds to the excitement.

-The best souvenirs are found on the Duolun Cultural Street. Check out the jade shops, art stores and trinket stalls. The best collection of 10,000 Mao memorabilia badges is in the mini museum at No. 183–you can take one home for ¥50.

-Join the geriatrics in People's Square Park for early morning Tai Chi. Wear your pajamas.

-"GucciPradaLadyBagWatchDVD?" Say "yes" for a change while strolling down Nanjing Dong Lu or Huaihai Zhong Lu.

-Forget complaining about bad service in China and hit Uighur Restaurant on Shaanxi Nan Lu to find the only waiters in Shanghai that appear to enjoy their jobs, with top class Xinjiang food and tasty black beers to boot. Expect to be hauled up to dance if it's busy.

-Buy an enormous plastic poncho from Lawsons and ride around town on your bike next time it starts raining. You'll never feel more connected to the city–or surprise more locals as they pull up next to you.

-Go to Hangzhou. Hop on the train from Shanghai South Railway Station or join BOHDI Adventures.

-Forget the days of strolling down Xinle Lu sniggering at the daft "English" slogan t-shirts in the window displays. Go buy one and wear it with pride when you return home. The best shirts we've seen are: "Trying to Understand If Values Exist," "Graymice Girlish Charm" (indeed there's nothing more alluringly feminine than rodents), "Too Sexy Too Groupie" and, worn by an ostensibly innocent old granny, "Porn Star in Training."

-Explore Line 8. Check out the expansive park off Huangxing Park Station.

-Bite the bullet, drop the kuai and head to Jade on 36 for one of the most creative fine dining experiences you can have (in Shanghai or otherwise). Take in the view from the top of the Pudong Shangri-La and make sure you order the Jumbo Shrimp Citrus Jar. You won't want to share this dish.

-Purchase a bottle of cheap baijiu, bellow "ganbei!" at your fellow diners after every mouthful of food and proceed to get utterly intoxicated.

-Treat yourself to a top-notch champagne brunch at The Westin.

-Your qi will never be in such great free-flowing shape ever again (unless you're prepared to fork out the cash for it) so indulge in a traditional Chinese blind massage, a true Shanghai experience, at Funing Point Pressure Massage Center of Blind People.

-Devour Di Shui Dong ribs– one more plateful before you leave.

-Take Maglev to the airport, even if it's located at the out-of-the-way Longyang Lu Station. As you're heading out, snap a photo when the speedometer hits 431 km / h, if for no other reason than to prove how fast you were rocketing out of Shanghai.

-Everyone loves to bemoan the Shanghai music scene, but it's getting better. Make sure you get to see the local talent play before heading out. Try Boys Climbing Ropes, The Honeys, Cold Fairyland or Banana Monkey at Windows Underground or Yuyintang. Or, hit LOgO on a Sunday night for reliably good jam sessions.

by Dylan Amis

Getting Back to Your Basics

If you're feeling charitable, or can't afford the excess baggage fee to fly all your accumulated bits and bobs back home, there are a number of options for getting rid of your stuff.

For anything plastic or electronic, the obvious choice is to give it to one of the guys that cycles around the neighborhood collecting recyclable goods. He'll definitely thank you for giving him the old DVD player or TV that will no longer be playing repeat episodes of your favorite show. As for clothing, shoes, bedding and blankets or toys, the River of Hearts charity program collects items at various places around Puxi and Pudong and redistributes them to people in need throughout China. Email: riverofhearts@communitycenter.cn, Tel: 5030-3313, 6406-4276, Web: http://www.communitycenter.cn/Charities

Empty your cupboards of all those noodles and tins and pass them on to the Home Sweet Home charity for one of their Care Days. See their website for more information and drop-off locations. Web: http://www.homesweethome.org.cn.

Can't bear the thought of tossing old books away? Drop them off at one of the three Boonna Cafés–they're always happy to expand their library. Or, check out BookCrossers, a monthly book swap of everything from novels, thrillers and chick-lit to biographies, travel books, classics and magazines at Figaro Café on Xingye Lu. Check CW online for event details. Email: info@figarocoffee.com

What will you do before you leave?

Ben Thompson | Writer
"Before I leave, I'm stocking up on knock-off DVDs. Which ones? Loads of Korean horror films that you can't get back home. And some boxed sets, definitely The Office and 24. Hollywood next to the Jing'an Temple is the best place to go near my apartment–they've got everything."

Louise Ellen Miller | English Teacher
"I'll spend the evening chilling out at the Element Fresh on Dongping Lu–their pasta is fabulous and they have a big open balcony where you can sit outside and have a drink. They've got a huge selection of fresh smoothies and strong cocktails–the perfect mix of all things Shanghai."

Lauren Wilson | China Liason Officer
"Before I leave I want one last great night out. First I'd go to Latina's Brazilian barbecue in Xintiandi for an all-you-can-eat blow-out–the meat there is just amazing, far better than you get anywhere else in Shanghai. Then I'd probably head to The Spot for Ladies' Night and free lychee martinis!"