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Shanghai has been hailed before as the "Shoppers Paradise" and "Oriental Paris" It is an ideal destination for those who love shopping. Shanghai has long been famous for its clothing and fashions. Its local fashion and garment industry has been China's trendsetter for decades. So, if you come to Shanghai for the historical and cultural sites, do not casually dismiss a local shopping excursion as mere consumerist trifle. From ancient Chinese artifacts to trendy western wear, Shanghai has everything that you could possibly want! Western-style shopping malls, huge department stores, small street stalls, and colorful open-air markets can be found all over Shanghai. Most shops are open daily from 10am-10pm, and also on weekends. Sunday is definitely China's busiest and craziest day to shop. Great shopping has become an indispensable part of Shanghai's tourism industry. So, take advantage of it, even if you are reluctant to do so, because it makes for a much more rewarding experience.
Shanghai is divided into a few main shopping areas. The most famous stop is Nanjing Lu, considered to be the number one commercial street in China. Nanjing Lu is lined with modem shopping malls and department stores, as well as smaller individually owned shops. The promenade on Nanjing Donglu is popular with tourists, while Huaihai Zhonglu is known for its elegance and for selling designer goods from around the world, including such brand names as Armani and Versace. For visitors more interested in crafts and wares, Heng-shan Le, Shanghai's Chenghuang Miao, and the Dontai Lu curio market are three good places to go for antiques and local arts and crafts. Be sure to also take a look at Shanghai Lao Jie and Cangbao Lou, where you should be able to find ceramics, hand-made embroidery, teapots, painted fans, handbags, carpets, coins, painted snuff bottles, and peasant paintings.
Shanghai is also known for its wide range of low-priced Chinese silks. You should be able to find fabrics such as cotton, wool, and silk sold in markets or on the streets for decent prices. Shanghai is also an ideal stop for jade, gold, silver, and freshwater pearls. However, you have to be especially vigilant when shopping for jewelry, and just like in any other Asian city, bargaining is a must. Please do not mistake Shanghai with Hong Kong, as you will find no deals on electronics or high-tech goods in Shanghai. In fact they are often more expensive here than at home. But, if you need anything replaced, whether it is for your camera or your cel-lular phone, you should be able to find what you need. You should definitely try making a point of not focusing on the big malls, and try out the thousands of privately owned littie stores that make up Shanghai. Just wander around and see where the wind takes you. Shanghai is full of great little shops just waiting for you to discover them.
Bargaining is a skill that is necessary not only in Shanghai, but all over China. This is especially true in open air markets and places where small goods peddlers congregate. Aside from a few rare exceptions, Chinese store owners treat everyone equally. The price that they give you is just as high as the price they give their Chinese customers. In touristy markets, sometimes prices are inflated up to five or six times their actual worth. Do not feel shy or embarrassed when you bargain the price down. Most shop owners are happy to bargain with you for their goods. Please note that you can not bargain for goods in supermarkets, licensed boutiques (like an Armani or Nike store), and many state-owned enterprises.
"Everything is fake, only the fake things are real." Keep this phrase close to heart, especially in open-air markets and at kiosks near the entrances to major tourist sites. This is where many of the fake goods are usually found.
Location: Nanjing Lu is connected di-rectly to the Bund. To get here take subway lines 1 or 2 to the People's Square or Henan Zhonglu stations. You can also take bus lines 20, 37, 15, 18, 21, 49, 315, 330, 451, 921 to the People's Square or Fuzhou Lu stops.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Nanjing Lu, the "paradise of foreign travel-ers", was one of Shanghai's representative symbols with its grand race track and famous shops.
In the 1990's Nanjing Xilu (the western end of Nanjing Lu) gradually transformed from a residential area to a commercial one, with the "golden triangle" of shopping malls, Plaza 66, Westgate Mall, and CITIC Plaza becoming established. Plaza 66 is modernist tower-style work of architecture with sky-scraping glass walls and shining main building. Designed by the American architectural firm, KPF, Plaza 66 has stores selling just about every international name brand and several of their Chinese flagship stores. In comparison, the Westgate Mall, ISTEAN, and CITIC are more down to earth, carrying middle class and upper-middle class brand names. This is where regular Shanghai people like to shop.
Wings Department Store(鸿翔百货)
869 Nanjing Xilu; telephone: 021-64870000. A large department store with western clothes, shoes, cosmetics, and some children's clothes.
New World Department Store(新世界商场)
2 Nanjing Xilu;Local department store with a good selection of children's shoes, toys and kitchen tools.
The Landmark(置地广场)
409 Nanjing Donglu; telephone: 021-63513828; Dealing mostly in fashionable clothes for trendy young shoppers. Styles range from casual to business casual.
Shanghai NO.1 Department Store(上海第一百货商场)
830 Nanjing Donglu.
CITIC (中信泰富广场)
1168 Nanjing Xilu telephone: 021-62180180.
Plaza 66(恒隆广场)
1266 Nan Jing Xilu.
Westgate Mall(梅龙镇伊势丹)
1038 Nanjing Xilu; telephone: 021 -62187878 and 62721 111.
To get there, take subway line 1 to the Huangpi Nanlu, Shaanxi Nanlu, or Chanshu Lu stations.
Huaihai Zhong Lu is well-known for its great shopping malls and boutique stores selling the latest in high fashion. One such high class mall, Maison Mode, was opened in Shanghai by Hong Kong's Lane Craw-ford. Shanghai locals consider shopping at Maison Mode to be the ultimate in social prestige, a place where you can find clothes that are up to date with the latest fashions emerging on the streets of Europe. Beginning at the head of Xizang Nanlu there are several shopping malls that are popular with Shanghai yuppies, such as the Lansh-eng Dasha and Liu Lin Tower. Continuing west you will find, Shanghai Times Square, Golden Bell Plaza, Shanghai Square, Huaihai Shangdu, Lippo Plaza, Hong Kong Plaza, and Pacific Place. There is also the ISTEAN, Shanghai NO.2 Department Store, Parkson, and Printemps.
Be sure to also check out Maoming Lu, Taikang Lu, and Changle Lu area for excellent clothing shops and trendy stores. All three roads run right off of Huaihai Lu.
Shanghai Times Square(大上海时代广场)
99 Huaihai Zhonglu; telephone: 021-63910691.
ISTEAN (伊势丹)
527 Huaihai Zhonglu and 1038 Nanjing Xilu; Western clothes, athletic accessories and bed dressings from this Japanese-operated enterprise.
Parkson (百盛)
918 Huaihai Zhonglu.
Maison Mode(美美百货)
1312 Huaihai Zhonglu, telephone: 8621-64711194.
Printemps(巴黎春天百货)
9393 Huaihai Zhonglu.
Shanghai NO.2 Department Store(上海第二百货商场)
887 Huaihai Zhonglu.
Jin Jiang Dickson Shopping Store(锦江迪生商厦)
400 Changle Lu; telephone: 021-64726888.
Hong Kong Plaza(香港广场)
Located at 283 Huaihai Zhonglu; tel-ephone: 021-63907181.
Lippo Plaza (力宝广场)
Located at 222 Huaihai Lu; telephone: 021-53965572.
To get there, take subway line one to the Xujiahui Station, or you can take bus lines 42, 43, 15, 931, 548, 830, 824, 93, 44, 50, 02, 72, 50, 847, 572, and 926 to the Xujia-hui bus stop.
Shanghai locals become nostalgic when they think Xujiahui's oldest department store, Shanghai Liubai. When it first opened, Liubai offered little more than sewing goods, bicycles, clothing, shoes, hats, and daily goods. Today, the shopping center of choice among young women is the Pacific Department Store. Other places of interest include the Grand Gateway, Metro City, Sunrise Department Store, and Huilian Store. Metro City definitely offers a captivating shopping experience. Metro City, is not just the province of the wealthy and fashionable; it is also a nice selection of goods for practical people and deal finders. Metro City's second floor sells cell phones. Computers and stereos can be found on the third floor, and the fourth floor has Scholar Book Store. Kodak Cinema World is located on the sixth. If you want to buy gold or computers there are several stores to choose from such as Lao Fengxiang jewelry store, Buy Now computer store, Pacific Computers and Withub.
Shanghai Orient Shopping Center(上海东方商厦)
8 Cao Xilu; telephone: 8621-64070000.
Sunrise Department Store(中兴百货)
718 Caobao Beilu; Great place for home shopping.
Other Locations Worth Considering
Times Square(时代广场)
500 Zhangyang Lu, Pudong.
This modem department store in Pudong has seven floors, all very well arranged. It has everything from clothing, appliances, and toys to a food court including McDon-alds. They stock good merchandise at fair prices. Just opposite to Yaohan.
Metro(麦德龙商场)
Locations: 1) ls425 Zhenbei Lu; tele-phone: 8621-62658888; 2) 418 Guangyue Lu in the Hongkou District; telephone: 021-65268888; 3) 80 Gudai Lu; telephone: 021-64808888; 4) 1425 Zhenbei Lu; telephone: 021-52504888.
A membership oriented wholesale ware-house. Very similar to Sam's Wholesale Club.
IKEA(宜家商场)
585 Longhua Xilu; Swedish home out fitter well known for its affordable stylish furniture.
Friendship Shopping Centre in Hong Qiao (虹桥友谊商店)
Located on the corner of Zunyi Lu and Hongqiao Lu; carries a wide range of high-priced gift items. A western supermarket can also be found inside.
Friendship Shopping Centre On The Bund(外滩友谊商店)
40 Beijing Dong Lu. A nice place to stop for antiques and crafts.
When shopping in Shanghai's open air and wholesale markets, only one rule ap-plies — anything goes. Shopping in street markets and alley bazaars will provide you with some interesting experiences. In these markets you can buy anything from crafts, antiques, coins to jewelry, but whether or not you come up with a good bargain depends on your bargaining skills. So, pull up your pants and roll up your sleeves and get to it!
South Bund Cloth Market(南外滩面料市场)
Located at 399 Lujiabang Lu; to get there, you can take bus lines 65, 305, 324, 801, 868, 910 or 928.
The South Bund Cloth Market operates in wholesale fabrics selling silk, wool, tweed, cotton etc.. If you want to have a suit made, come prepared with an idea of what kind of style you want and possibly images to show and help guide the tailor. While the prices are cheap, you have to be assertive about what you want. There is no point in buying at all if you turn up with something you are embarrassed wearing. Expect a suit to take over a week. Open Monday through Sunday. Do not come on Monday, because that is the day the shop owners leave to bring in new shipments of goods.
Yuyuan Shopping City(豫园商场)
Located at 218 Anren Street. Come here for Chinese goods and local crafts.
Qipu Lu Wholesale Clothing Market (七浦路服装批发市)
Qipu Lu is located at the intersection of Sichuan Beilu and Haining Lu. To get there take bus line 15 and get off at the Qipu Lu stop. You can also take lines 17, 55, 61, 100, 123, 147, and 307 to the Haining Lu stop and walk toward Qipu Lu.
The Wholesale Market is the prize of Qipu Lu. 200 RMB can get you a shirt on Shaanxi Nanlu, but it can buy you a full outfit at the Qipu Lu clothing market. The clothes that they make are of excellent quality and they regularly receive orders from famous brand-name clothing outlets abroad. The businesses at Qipu Lu sell retail as well as wholesale. You can bargain with them too, but they will only budge 3 RMB to 5 RMB.
Dongtai Lu Antiques Market(东台路古玩市场)
Located near the Huangpi Nanlu subway station.
Come before five pm or you will not make it before the shops clothes. Dongtai Lu is one of China's most famous curio markets. (For more information about Dongtai Lu, please rum to Dongtai Lu section right after Wenmiao and the Second Hand Book Market.)
Cangbao Lou Antiques Market(藏宝楼)
Located at the eastern entrance of Shang-hai Lao Jie. More ceramics, coins, snuff boxes, and bronzes than you can imagine, this is one of the largest curio markets in China, with buyers and sellers from all over the country. Step out of the way and look on as the expert buyers go to work, appraising, examining, debating, and bargaining. If you can get up in the wee hours of the morning, come in for the ghost market, and try your hand at bargaining for that porcelain donkey that catches you out of the comer of your eye — the perfect gift for mom! (For more information regarding Cangbao Lu, please rum to the section right after Shanghai Lao Jie.)
Special note
The goods sold at the Dongtai Lu curio market and Cangbao Lou are almost all fakes. Do not be fooled.
Jingan Xiaoting Market (静安小亭)
Located next to the Jingan Si Temple, to get here, take the subway to the Jingan Si Station.
You can find just about anything you want in this swarming market. Fashionable designs, meticulous craftsmanship, and great prices make this a prime shopping location. No wonder the locals often say, "When I get off work, if I'm not at Jingan Xiaoting, than I am on the way there!" Before you go, you had better polish your bargaining skills. Otherwise, you may become what the locals call "an onion" — a sucker.
Taikang Lu Art Stores (泰康路艺术店)
To get there, you can take bus lines 17, 24, 96, 43, 786, 864, 869, 931, 984, and 986, the airport line number three, or tunnel line number eight. You can also take subway line number one to the Shaanxi Nanlu station.
Taikang Lu is full of art studios and young fresh designers. They are all independent artists who create original and distinctive works. All of the art work is open for public viewing. You can choose to buy or reserve a work, or simply come by to look. This street is pretty bleak in the morning. The best times to come by are between 2pm and 6pm.
Changle Lu (长乐路)
To get there take the subway number one line to the Shaanxi Nanlu station. When you come out of the exit, walk over from Maoming Lu.
People come to Changle Lu to buy Chinese cheongsam dresses and ceremonial outfits. This street has so many cheongsam tailors that it may be difficult for you to get your bearings at first. From materials to tailoring, to the elderly women watching the store, these stores all have a very local feel. Many young couples stop by here to check out cheongsams to wear for weddings. Other stores on Changle Lu sell blue prints, art work, and country style furniture. Bars can be seen here and there up and down the street, and little tasteful boutiques can be found nearby. There is also a rather large concentration of stores selling antiques.
Go book shopping on Fuzhou Lu, right off of the Bund, or the Wenmiao Weekend book market held every Sunday at the Wenmiao Confucian Temple. If you cannot find any English language materials to satisfy you here, you can check out small book shops in the larger hotels, or branches of the widespread Xinhua Book Store, which tend to carry a selection of American bestsellers and Victorian Age novels.
As far a camera and camera accessories are concerned, anything you need you will definitely be able to find. Be warned that prices on photography equipment are simi-lar to those in the west, so do not come to Shanghai expecting to find deals. Here you will be able to find Kodak and Fuji stores carrying brand name film, as well as Chinese store selling both local and foreign brands of film. For those needing their quick fix of pictures, 1-hour developing stores are very easy to find, especially in areas catering to tourists. For minor repairs, enquire at your hotel's front desk about the nearest location of a local camera and lens technician.