Find out how to spook your friends with the SH Guide to Halloween.

Officially, there’s no such thing as ghosts in Shanghai. There are, however, giant teddy bears that stalk the streets at three in the morning. They hunt in packs – two wide, six deep – and the only sound you hear before they’re upon you is the creaking of an unoiled wheel. Stumbling backward, your foot catches in the rusted spokes of an abandoned bicycle wheel, and you tumble to the ground in a tangle of metal and over-sized plastic raincoats. High above, the gathering clouds extinguish what pale moonlight remains – so fast that you don’t even see the army of tabby cats closing in on their injured prey.
It’s fair to say you need rather a vivid imagination to make the city seem scary – crowds, noise, and stinky tofu notwithstanding. But, at this time of year, it’s a little easier.

All fright on the night: the best events in and around town

The devil’s boatman: Mural’s annual Halloween boat cruise takes place a week early – this Saturday, October 25. It’s on from 9.30pm-1am (with an after-party on dry land until 4am) and features live music from Lucius and Pharoah, a set from DJ V-Nutz, and the obligatory free-flow booze. Free shuttle buses leave from the bar at 8.30pm. The boat leaves from Pier 4, 129 Waima Lu, near Dongjiadu Lu. Pre-sale tickets are ¥280, at the dock they’re ¥350.

Mural, 697 Yongjia Lu, near Hengshan Lu, 6433 5023. 
永嘉路697，近衡山路

In Hades’ lair: Show some love for the other shelter. Last year, over 700 people turned up at Shanghai Studio for Shanghaiist’s annual fright-fest, and they’re going underground once more. ¥50 gets you in with a drink, and the mazy interior makes it easy to avoid scary guys and ghouls.

October 31, 9pm-late. Shanghai Studio, No.4, Lane 1950 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Xingguo Lu, 6283 1043
淮海中路1950弄4号,近兴国路

Hell on Earth: The city so often referred to as Heaven on Earth is currently anything but – Hangzhou Paradise Park has given itself up to the dark side. Five haunted houses, ghost story contests, and an “evil” restaurant serving edible insects, combine for one hell of a party, that makes Shanghai’s efforts look about as scary as a piece of wet qing cai.

Daily, until Oct 31. Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm; Sat-Sun, 9.30am-5pm. Late opening (TBC) on Oct 31. Entry is ¥100. A taxi ride from Hangzhou Railway Station will set you back ¥100.
Hangzhou Paradise Park, 2555 Fengqing Da Dao, near Xianghu Lu, 8288 0222.
风情大道2555号杭州乐园，近湘湖路

Check our Events listings for a full run down on all the Halloween parties happening in Shanghai on Oct 31.

Frock horror

Glazed eyes and dry skin do not a zombie make. Without the right costume and accessories, you’re indistinguishable from the rest of the post-Dragon Club hordes. Time to bone up on what’s available.

Beita Costume
8B Bldg 2, Rongcheng Mansion, Lane 85 Pudong Ave, near Dongfang Lu,  2626 3688
浦东大道荣成路85弄荣城大厦2号楼8B，近东方路
Christmas Holiday
15 Houjia Lu, near Fuyou Lu, 5306 7671
猴家路15号，近福佑路
Party Monster
41 Songlin Lu, near Rushan Lu, 5882 4991
松林路41号，近乳山路
Suqin Party Costume
C97, 2/F, Fuyou Bulding, 225 Fuyou Lu, near Lishui Lu, 6328 8781
福佑路225号，近丽水路

Know your candy, man

The scariest part of Halloween has nothing to do with witches. Sorting through all the sweet treats you’ve been given is far more frightening. Use our handy candy guide to find out if you’ve been tricked.

1. Hami melon chewing gum tape (¥13.30/120cm. Lawson)
Treat. Xinjiang cantaloupes taste great, but they’re a pain to carry to work. Not any more.

2. Cream prune drop (¥6.10/168g. Alldays)
Treat. That magic moment when your ice cream starts melting but hasn’t yet dripped to the floor? Now lasts two whole minutes.

3. Hawthorn lozenge (¥4.30/144g. Lawson)
Trick! Looks like apple. Smells like rancid olive. Tastes like you should have paid better attention to the smell.

4. Red bean jelly (¥2.50 for three. Alldays)
Trick! You were hoping for turkish delight – what you got was the sticky, clogged heart of a mooncake, minus all the stodgy pastry fun.

5. Kuihuazi (sunflower seed cake) (¥15/jin. Street-side stalls)
Trick! A trail bar that leaves its own trail – of grease. Work surfaces, hands, arteries – none are immune.

6. Kaikouxiao (smiley face) (¥15/jin. Street-side stalls)
Treat. A jellybean-style flavor mash-up. Sticky rice powder plus sesame seeds equals crunchy popcorn heaven.

7. Spicy beef chew (¥2.60/55g. Lawson)
Treat – but only just. The trick is that it looks like candy. Provided you know it’s actually licorice-enhanced beef jerky, it’s not all that bad.

8. Yumibian (corn and sesame pancake) (¥15/jin. Street-side stalls)
Trick! Sticky, bland and immune to even the sharpest toothpick.

9. Fish and beef snack (¥2.50/15g. Lawson)
Trick! Trick! Trick! The golden toffee wrapper hides a tiny biscuit with subtle notes of both cat food and cat litter.

10. Heizhima (black sesame and peanut cake) (¥15/jin. Street-side stalls)
Treat. The essence of Snickers distilled. With added sugar.