Designer bargains at Xiangyang market
by WesHK about Xiangyang Market
This often crowded market has over a hundred booths where local vendors sell knock-off name brand merchandise, souvenirs, arts and crafts, clothes and much more. Ignore all of the hawkers offering to show you around the market - they will earn a commission while you get a lousy deal. In general, keep walking past anyone who tries to grab your attention as you shop in the market.
**The government is scheduled to shut down this market in June 2006! Hurry and shop while it lasts!!** Knock off goods include clothing, watches, handbags, shoes, and even golf clubs. Also on offer are souvenirs including jade bracelets, paintings, and other Chinese bric-a-brac.
Bargaining is the name of the game. In general you should pay no more than 25% of the vendors initial price. Smile as you bargain and remember that you are not likely to get the best deal unless you walk away at least once. Most items can be found at more than one booth so don't be afraid to try elsewhere if you don't think you are getting the best deal. For example, I purchased a rain jacket for 150RMB when the seller originally wanted over 600RMB. You will have to bargain hard to get these prices:
North Face Windstopper Jacket - 100RMB
North Face rain jacket - 150RMB
Knock off Watch - 100RMB+ depending on quality
Knock off Polo shirt - 30RMB
Designer Ties - 20RMB
Designer Purses - 80RMB
Framed Chinese Art 8"X8" - 30RMB
It's really not bad!
by jackiesg about Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant
This restaurant was so popular that many had wrote about it in their own travel pages. I had read mixed opinions about it. Too pricey, long queue, taste so good, definitely must go etc.
My opinion: It really taste quite good! It's an experience drinking the soup in the steamed bun with a straw and the Xiao Long Bao taste fresh and good. Indeed, there's a long queue but the queue is fast moving, at least on my day of visit. Service is okay, but waiting time after ordering is quite long.
Overall, I feel that it's worth the experience. I didn't order much so I can only recommend the Steamed bun w crab roe stuffing and Steamed bun w fresh meat.
Steamed bun w roe stuffing: It's a big bun. But, don't expect it to be able to fill your stomach bcos it has nothing but roe soup wrapped in the bun. No meat inside! Just soup! So, you stick a straw they specially provide into the centre of the bun and then...suck very slowly. :) Bcos, it's steamingly HOT. Don't burn your tongue, Ouch!
Steamed bun w fresh meat or what we call the Xiao Long Bao. Typical Xiao Long Bun, nice.
Beautiful Yuyuan Garden
by meteorologist1
The beautiful Yuyuan Garden is a very traditional Chinese garden, constructed back in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty. The garden consists of houses (and buildings), pavilions, walls with dragon carvings, ponds, zig-zag bridges, large rocks, etc. Nice place to take a walk and take pictures. It's like walking in a maze. I highly recommend this place. As of summer 2006, the admission price is 30 yuan per person.
Sharrie in Shanghai
by SharrieShaw
Written: Dec. 21, 2007.
Fact 1: I love it here in Shanghai.
Fact 2: I spent Christmas 2006 here & will be spending Christmas this year here as well.
Fact 3: Shanghai is my most favorite city in China, & 2nd favorite city in Asia after Tokyo.
After having been here as a tourists for many times in the past 7 years, I began living as a "resident" in China beginning Mar. 1 this year. 4.5 months in Beijing was quite a major feat for me. Nope, that's not my kind of city nor weather to live in. So, I "settled down" here in Shanghai on July 15.
I've written thousands on tips on VT under the a/c "Sharrie". If you'd like to read about what a tourist would do or see, you are cordially invited to mouse your way there.
On this a/c, I shall try to do something different. Possibly not valuable to most people on this site or elsewhere. But, it'll get me back on the track (hopefully).
Now, back to Shanghai.
Where you can find me (some of the spots I frequent):
1) Restaurants (one gotta eat, right?)
2) Shopping Centers (I'm a 100% woman, so I shop naturally)
3) Banks (well, bills gotta be paid, don't they?)
4) Airports (I still fly)
5) Fudan University (for reasons of my own ;-))
Sites I frequented & found extremely useful:
1) For news about Shanghai >>> Shanghaiist
2) For domestic airfares >>> Qunar
3) For hotel reservations >>> CTrip
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great building!
Jin Mao Tower from the ground
The fish looks fresh!
The atmospheric Yu Bazaar
