Saying "Guo Nian Hao!" (Happy Chinese New Year) to anyone you meet in Shanghai during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday will reward you a jovial response, which betokens a very good start for the Year of the Monkey.

If you haven't got travel plans and won't be returning to your hometown, check out the following events in town to liven up your holiday in Shanghai.

Light up the world

One of the largest assemblages of ancient Chinese buildings in town, Yuyuan Garden (269 Fangbang Road Middle, 2302-8585) is hosting its 21st annual lantern festival until February 25.

Visitors will see in total 50 large sets of lanterns on the ground, climbing the walls, floating on the lake and hovering above the zigzag bridge and slate pathways to enliven the ancient-style building cluster with a festive atmosphere.

Highlights in the Mart of Lanterns include an 8-meter-high Monkey King in glamorous armor standing in his ideal retreat - a mountain of flowers and fruits.

Meanwhile, a series of ancient Chinese figures such as General Yue Fei, heroine Mu Guiying, and the shepherd Su Wu will all appear in the form of colorful lanterns to tell stories from Chinese history.

All of the lanterns are lit from 5:30 pm. The garden is open free to the public as usual from February 8 to 14. On February 22, which is the Chinese Lantern Festival, the garden charges 100 yuan ($15.20) for adults and 50 yuan for children to enter from 2 pm, while on February 20 and 21, the entry charge is 50 yuan for adults and 30 yuan for children from 4 pm.

There is a flurry of events and activities to lighten up people's holiday in Shanghai. Photos: Yang Hui/GT and CFP

Shanghai in 1930s

In Songjiang district, Shanghai Film Park (4915 Beisong Highway, 5760-1166) invites people to join a vintage journey amid 1930s-style environs from February 8 to 13.

The park features recreations of many famous buildings and scenes from the 1930s, when Shanghai was decorated with trams, glossy vintage cars, and people wearing cheongsam and qipao.

During the festival, visitors can roam old Nanjing Road, which offers a wide range of snacks and desserts from the Yangtze River Delta region.

Also on offer is a jazz-style performance in the old Paramount, and a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony in a European-style household.

Moreover, the park also offers kung fu and acrobatic shows, 3D photography scenes, and an exhibition of vintage cars to create an immersive environment of old Shanghai.

Tickets are 80 yuan for adults and 40 yuan for children above 1.3 meters. The park opens 8:30 am to 4:30 pm daily.

Meeting monkeys

The upcoming Chinese lunar new year is the Year of the Monkey. Shanghai Zoo (2381 Hongqiao Road, 6268-7775), which has 42 kinds of primates, will present a carnival with a monkey theme from February 8.

Firstly, people may interact with different monkeys, apes and chimpanzees from different continents of the world.

Then they can participate in activities such as writing Spring Festival couplets, paper-cutting and guessing riddles in the zoo.

A series of exhibitions and video showcases will be held to explain the monkey-related cultural phenomena in China.

Visitors are also encouraged to take photos in the zoo and join in a monkey-themed photography exhibition.

Tickets to Shanghai Zoo are 40 yuan for adults and 20 yuan for students. The venue opens from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm in February.

Hahaha valley

Shanghai Happy Valley (888 Linhu Road, 3355-2222) is inviting 20 performers from Britain, America, Russia and Ukraine to present a hilarious spectacle over the Chinese New Year holiday.

They will present clowning, acrobatics, puppet shows, magic performances, and interactive, fun-filled activities such as making animal-shaped balloons.

Besides those performers, Happy Valley will also invite Chinese dragon and lion dancers to present traditional Chinese celebrations for the Spring Festival.

Meanwhile, people dressed in auspicious animals costume will parade together with the Chinese God of Fortune, who will present rock'n'roll shows to entertain.

Tickets are 230 yuan for adults and 120 yuan for children above 1.2 meters. The park also offers a special package for people to visit at night (5:30 pm to 10 pm), which costs 100 yuan.