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Escaping from Shanghai's sweltering heat is no easy matter, especially when downtown's glass-fronted high-rises turn the city into a virtual greenhouse. An ice-making machine is the only answer, and thankfully a number of entrepreneurial businesses provide the very thing, albeit in differing forms. The Global Times decided to cool down in Pudong New Area courtesy of an ice skating rink, an ice bar, and of course, ice cream parlors.

Get your skates on

Known to locals because of its recent high-profile events on ice, the Shanghai Century Star Skating Club isn't just for the professionals. People of all ages and abilities can now enjoy the ice skating experience.

The soft opening of the 1,250-square-meter rink began in May 2010 when the Mercedes-Benz Arena was put in use for the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai. Located in the basement of the arena, it is the only ice rink in Shanghai that meets the standards for holding international ice hockey competitions.

The skating club hires retired coaches from the Chinese national ice-skating team to offer guidance to customers who would like to practice and improve their skating skills. For those who just want to have some fun, the venue also offers a rental service for ice bumper cars (organizers cordon off an area of the rink for any ice "drivers"). Trained rescue staff are on hand so that unskilled skaters won't have to worry about their safety. The club offers different levels of skating lessons, and a skating "school" for children. The prices vary, depending on the skills of instructors.

Add: B2/F, Mercedes-Benz Arena, 1200 Expo Avenue