Bowling

The Chinese expression 一分钱一分货 ( yi fen qian, yi fen huo ), the equivalent of ‘you get what you pay for’ rings as true with bowling as anything else in China. The price of a game can be as low as 5 RMB but the machine will break down at regular intervals, drop pins, and decide that pins which are still standing do not really exist. On average it can be worth an extra ten pins a game if the computer is on your side.

 
There are three main options, open 24 hours the most prominent is Orden due to its prime location underneath Real Love nightclub on Hengshan Road. The machines are bit more reliable but has prices to match, as high as 25 RMB after 7PM, cheaper off peak. The High Point has similar prices but is a bit out of the way next to Hongkou Football Stadium in the northeast. My favourite, for its automatic shoe machines and relaxed policy towards bringing in much cheaper drinks from the convenience store is Yinghua Bowling. Prices vary according to the time 17 RMB from 7PM, 12 RMB after 11PM.