Shanghai Shopping

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Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall is indeed an exciting place to be, either for shopping or just gazing at the tall buildings or watching the world go by. On our first day in Shanghai we wandered up and down Nanjing Road and were quite flabbergasted at the enormity of it all. We didnt actually buy much here, most of the shops and Department Stores are actually quite expensive, but it is certainly a good place to be.

The original Xiangyang market on Huaihai road and Xiangyang road was moved to the subway station under the Science museum in Pudong, East Shanghai, and the corner of Nanjing road and Chengdu road in Puxi, West Shanghai. The two markets offer the same basic things, cheap goods and fakes.

What to buy: Same as the Pudong Xinyang market, fakes. The bags are often a particularly good choice. Just be sure to read my tip on how to bargain, and remember they markup by a factor of 3.

What to pay: Less than original goods prices.

If you are looking for some local gifts to bring home for friends and family.. this is probably where u want to go. You can plan this shopping trip on the same day u visit the Yu Garden as the shopping area is right outside of the garden. Here u can find traditional Chinese items such as tea set, Chinese paintings, Chinese dresses, etc.. Make sure you negotiate the price though. I usually cut into 1/10 of what they offer.

This is something I strongly recommend doing while you are in Shanghai. During my years living in Shanghai I'd made way many clothing from there and I know I will definitely go there every time I go visit Shanghai.

This fabric market has 3 stories and hundreds of vendors. They can make all kinds of clothing (dresses, men's suits, winter coats, jackets, pants, skirts, shirts, etc), either they go by their designs, or you can bring your own designs that u cut out from magazine or print from internet.. different kinds of fabric are available right there for u to choose from.

I think the best deal there is cashmere winter coat. I ordered one for my father-in-law and it is a long coat. Very impressive quality I must admit and it only cost 100USD totally.

Latest update: the original Xiangyang market has been torn down.. but u can find most vendors at the subway station of Science Technology Museum.

There are too many things (replica watches, suitcases, clothes, purses, jewels, etc.). But be aware, it is always crowded here. And you always need to bargin. They charge u like their items is the original brand.. but they are NOT!! Average price for watch should be from 70 - 200rmb. Clothing should be 50rmb or so a piece.. don't get ripped off!

Dong Tai Road is a street market where you can buy mostly fake antiques, but there are a few gems here. There are little stalls selling all kinds of old looking things. The small shops behing the stalls actually have some real antiques, mostly furniture.

What to buy: Antiques, fake antiques.

What to pay: It's all up to you. Bargain for the best prices, and asume what you are buying is a fake, unless you really know your antiques.

This is the market that began as a street market called Hua Ting Market. A few years back, the local government made a new location for the market on Huaihai road and it became Xiang Yang Market after a bordering street name. This summer, they were forced to move again.

The market is now located inside the subway station under the Science and Technology Museum in Pudong. It is easy to find. Just take the number 2 subway toward Pudong and get off at the Science and Technology building. Take the escalator up to the exit level and look around or ask someone. It is in the ticketing level.

The market is about the same size as the old market, but it is in the subway station and it is airconditioned. You can get all the same bargains without sweating in the Shanghai sun.

What to buy: How about a large rolling computer bag from the company that makes the Swiss Army knife for 25 dollars. You can ge anything in clothing, toys, luggage and junk here. You also can get the copy Rolex watches and DVDs.

What to pay: See my other article about techniques for shopping here. Prices are low, but you can bargain lower if you know how.

Behind the so famous Zhongshan park mall that so much people know, something much more interesting is hided. Once you enter the mall, go to the 8th floor. Here is a lot of music shop, Piano, Guitare, Synthesizer, drums, trumpet... And you can try everything. The salesperson are very nice and they will leave you alone playing how much time you want.

As a musician in Shanghai for several months now, I missed so much my instruments. I don't have enought money to buy me an other piano and anyway, it won't be easy to transport. Zhongshan park became my music solution !

What to buy: music instruments, sheets...

What to pay: From 50 RMB to 1 500 000 RMB (steinway and sons piano)