Shanghai residents prefer to spend their spare time in parks and green spaces, compared with cinemas, museums and other public places, according to a citywide survey released Wednesday.

The Shanghai Statistics Bureau conducted a telephone survey of 1,000 local residents between 16 and 70 years old. The survey found that 60.8 percent of respondents preferred parks and green spaces, 34.2 percent chose theaters, cinemas or concerts and 26.9 percent liked libraries and museums the best.

Senior citizens were behind the dominance of parks and green spaces as 65.4 percent of respondents between 51 and 70 years old made them their top choice, along with 62.9 percent of surveyed residents between 31 and 50 years old.

Seniors chose the parks because they provide seniors with a place to exercise and socialize. "At present, there aren't better public places for seniors to go," said Gu Jun, a sociology professor at Shanghai University. "Seniors in the city want to find an occasion to talk with other people. It's not about a place to go. It's what they can do in the parks that really matters."

For example, Gu said young people go to gyms to exercise because they want to be fashionable, need professional guidance and have different reasons for exercising than older people. "Seniors exercise because they want to get together with others and talk," Gu told the Global Times.

A 56-year-old grandmother surnamed Liu sells bubble blowers and colorful rubber balls in Luxun Park in Hongkou district, where there are various events for seniors every day. Liu sees her job as more of a community bonding session than a serious business. "It's comfortable and convenient. I can chat with neighbors, friends and customers," she said.