上海为圣诞节热身

Though Christmas is still two weeks away, parts of the city are already immersed in Christmas spirit - at least the secular part - with many Christmas trees glowing and two Christmas markets open to the public.

The Christmas atmosphere is evident downtown at West Nanjing Road, where a three-storey-tall Christmas tree lights up a new hotel near Jing’an Temple. A Santa Claus descends from the sky to give out presents.

And here near the Shanghai East Dock in northern Hongkou District, the annual Shanghai Christmas Market is open for a whole month, until January 5th. Visitors can wander around 70 stands to buy Christmas decorations and sample the delicious food.

Meanwhile, outside the Hamburg House in downtown Shanghai, there is another traditional German style mini Christmas market. And this one is free.

Christmas markets originated in 14th-century Germany when craftsmen wanted to sell toys and sweets to children. Later the markets became popular with other Europeans and Americans in the 20th century.