Shopping in Shanghai

2011 Jun-30

With a dynamic economy, Shanghai is certainly a prosperous city and shopping paradise in the world. You can almost buy anything within your imagination in Shanghai. The main commercial areas include Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road which offer numerous international brand-names. If you are interested in local specialties, there are also a large number of flea markets where you can buy various souvenirs, arts and crafts, namely, the outdoor bazaar at Yuyuan Garden and the cultural street market on Fuzhou Road are among the most famous ones. You can have a wonderful shopping experience and a taste of old Shanghai.

Recommended shopping sites:

Nanjing East Road

Nanjing East Road is an ideal site for locals and visitors to experience the culture of modern Shanghai. It is one of the well known shopping areas in Shanghai and there are more than 600 shops offering anything you want to purchase. The renowned pedestrian street stretches more than three miles starting at Shanghai’s Center. The area is extremely lively and bustling in the evening.

Transportation: Take Subway Line 1, Subway Line 2 or Subway Line 8 and get off at People's Square which is located in the joint area of west and east Nanjing Road.

Nanjing West Road
 
Nanjing West Road is famous for its situating some of the best shopping malls in Shanghai which are brimming with luxury brands like Dior, Chanel, Armani, Prada and CK. Believed to be the first shopping street in modern China, Nanjing West Road is a place combines shopping, relaxation and entertainment.

Huaihai Road Market
 
Huaihai Road was built in 1901. Today’s Huaihai Road is a bustling commercial street which has become synonymous with what is trendy and fashionable in Shanghai. While the stretch between Shan Xi Road and Xi Zang Road is the busiest section, this commercial street contains more than 400 stores, restaurants and businesses. It sells clothing of every description and is the epitome of Shanghai’s modern history. There are also many attractions near the area which add to its appeal, including the proximity of Doctor Sun Yat-sen Former Residence and Memorial Hall.

Yuyuan Bazaar
 
Yuyuan Bazaar is the city’s largest Flea Market which has an amazing array of traditional Chinese items including paintings by local artists, calligraphy, old bank notes and wood carvings. Its narrow lanes are dotted with over 100 shops, as well as teahouses, wine houses, restaurants and a lot of snack stalls. The bazaar is a great place to wander around, shop, take photos and people-watch.

The Bund
 
The Bund stretches one mile along the bank of the Huangpu River. For a century, the Bund of Shanghai is always the symbol and proud of Shanghai. As Shanghai’s iconic riverfront area, the Bund has seen several luxury brands like Giorgio Armani at 3 on the Bund, Patek Philippe, Zegna and Boucheron at Bund 18, etc. This area is a very area attractive for shoppers to wander and shop.

Shanghai Yatai Clothing and Gifts Market

Shanghai Yatai Clothing and Gifts Market is one of the largest subway markets in Shanghai. Covering an area of 19,022 square meters (4.7 acres), there are about 500 shops, selling various products like clothing, accessories, fabrics suitcases, hats, shoes, handicrafts and souvenirs. Quality is not very good, but prices are low. It is suggested to bargain hard there. There are also tailor shops where you can tailor-make clothes.

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00-20:00; Friday-Sunday 10:00-20:30
Transport: Take subway line 2 and get off at Shanghai Science & Technology Museum Station.