Nanjing Lu

The three major shopping streets in Shanghai, Nanjing Lu, Huaihai Lu and Sichuan Lu have earned a nationwide reputation as "the paradise for shoppers". Among them, Nanjing Lu is the most prosperous, dotted with numerous shops and restaurants. Daily visitors number around 1.5 million. Nanjing Lu is the first shopping street to develop after the re-opening of Shanghai.

The 5.5-kilometer street begins at the Bund and extends westward to Jing An Temple. Nanjing Lu is divided by Xizang Zhong Lu into two sections: the east, Nanjing Dong Lu, once the busiest area in Old Shanghai, and the west, Nanjing Xi Lu. Now that Nanjing Dong Lu has been partially changed into a pedestrian street, where cars and bicycles are not allowed, visitors have more freedom to shop. With century-old shops and modern commercial high-rises, it has even become a popular tourist attraction. At the end of the pedestrian zone of Nanjing Lu, under People's Square, there is an underground shopping mall called D-Mall, with many small shops selling trendy up to the minute clothes and accessories. Bargaining is a must.

The west end of Nanjing Lu offers you a number of high-end shopping malls like Plaza 66 (heng long guang chang), CITIC Square (zhong xin tai fu guang chang) and Westgate Mall (mei long zhen guang chang), as well as a collection of brand stores. Bargaining is not accepted in these upscale shopping malls.

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Huaihai Lu

With malls springing up all along Huaihai Zhong Lu and storefronts lining every meter of the pavement, you could easily spend all your time indoors, hardly taking a step or two on the pavement before ducking into another shop. The main shopping area is between Xizang Lu on the east and Changshu Lu on the west. The east side offers several malls including Times Square (shi dai guang chang), Hong Kong Plaza (xiang gang guang chang) and Shanghai Square (shanghai guang chang). Heading westward, you'll pass stores selling everything from books to shoes, clothing to jewelery. Further west are several upmarket furniture stores and Xiangyang Market.

Xintiandi

This is the name given to the newly constructed area near Huaihai Zhong Lu, made up of restored nongtang (alleys) and shikumen (stone-framed gate houses). Besides an interesting glimpse into the past architecture of Shanghai,this area holds a host of boutiques selling international designer fashion, creative home furnishings and arts and crafts as well as many trendy restaurants. Although bargaining is expected at the portable outside stalls, it is generally not accepted (nor appreciated) inside the stores.

Xiangyang Market 

This is a very popular shopping area at the intersection of Huaihai Lu and Xiangyang Lu. Brand name products of clothes, watches and accessories can be found at incredible bargains from the hundreds (maybe thousands) of vendors. Bargaining is a must. Be sure to look at the merchandise carefully before you negotiate your price however.

Sichuan Lu 

In the early 19th century, due to constant warfare, many people from other provinces came to take refuge in the region of Shanghai, north of Wusong River. In subsequent years, the region gradually became a large commercial area. Because the majority of its residents are working class with lower purchasing power, goods for sale here are at very low prices and in a great variety. Also, to meet the needs of the residents of various origins, local specialties in almost all provincial styles can be found such as dried melon seeds and Jiangsu and Zhejiang pastry.

Jewellery - Pearls 

Pearl shops in Shanghai are plentiful. While bargains can be found, quality and price range wildly so connoisseurs spending serious money should be careful in selecting their goods. For less particular shoppers, however, attractive necklaces, bracelets, and earrings can be easily located at relatively low prices. Fresh water pearls are significantly cheaper than salt water pearls, In addition, price depends on quality, shape, luster and size. Most pearl dealers offer ready made jewelery and also custom made designs. When having a necklace made, clasps are usually priced separately, and vary widely in price, so be sure to ask. There are large pearl markets located on Nanjing Lu pedestrian street and at Yuyuan, as well as individual shops around the city. 

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Antiques

There are many antique furniture dealers in the Hongqiao District of the city, often clustered along Wuzhong Lu, Hongqiao Lu and Huqingping Gonglu. Modern renovation of streets however has forced many of them to find locations further apart, thus they are increasingly scattered throughout the city. Besides antique furniture, they often have a wide selection of small items too. 

There are also several antique markets that specialize more in small items such as embroidery, ceramics, wooden articles, jewelery, knick knacks, cultural revolution paraphernalia, etc. these markets are for the adventurous shoppers who enjoy bargaining because prices are not marked, and bargaining is competitive!

Two of the largest antique markets are located at Dongtai Lu/Xizang Lu (outdoor) and Fangbang Lu/Henan Zhong Lu (indoor). Confusingly enough, this Fangbang Lu market is what was once called Fuyou Lu Sunday Market in older tour guides; and it is now open seven days a week. On Sundays, however, business still begins before dawn, with a mix of professional dealers and gawking laymen browsing through the merchandise while itinerant traders continue to unpack their treasures.

Tailors and Traditional Clothing

Many residents and tourists alike enjoy the experience of having clothes made by an inexpensive tailor on the street or in a fabric market. Others prefer the consistency and quality of a professional tailoring shoip. Maoming Lu between Huaihai Lu and Fuxing Lu, and Ruijin Lu past Fuxing Lu constitutes the old garment district and are crammed with little tailoring shops. Getting an outfit made normally takes around two weeks, but most establishments are willing to execute rush jobs for an extra fee. This same neighborhood also offers a number of Qipao (Chinese robe) shops, as does nearby Changle Lu at Maoming Nan Lu. Ready-made Qipaos and silk robes are also available at Yuyuan Garden and elsewhere around the town. The quality and prices vary greatly.

Fabric

Traditional Chinese brocaded silk and folksy blue calico items have always been popular with foreigners, and are becoming increasingly trendy among young Chinese as well. Blue and white raw silk is also popular for use in both clothing and decorative cloth. Innumerable cloth shops and markets around town offer mostly similar selections of materials and quality, but a few unusual gems can be found if you look carefully. The largest fabric market is located at the intersection of Dongjiadu Lu and Zhongshan Lu, near the Nanpu Bridge. The Qingfang Market near East China Normal University offers a wide choice of fabric for clothing and also household fabrics. You can find sewing notions and accessories around Yuyuan and within the fabric markets.

Super Brand Mall

Super Brand Mall offers endless selection of food, entertainment, and products from China and around the world. Local consumers as well as international visitors will be able to experience the best of China and the world under one roof in Shanghai's boom Lujiazui district. Whether shopping for everyday necessities, an occasional extravagance, or top fashion brand names, visitors will find what they are looking for in China's premier shopping complex.

Flowers

Flower markets are certainly worth a visit in Shanghai. The largest flower markets can be found on Maoming Lu and Gubei Nan Lu; but numerous small markets are scattered throughout the city. Although seasonal flowers can be relatively expensive, the more common varieties are inexpensive and plentiful. Other decorative items are often sold in flower markets, as are pets and pet supplies.

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Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts is a big category encompassing everything from traditional silk scrolls and watercolors to bizarre wood carvings and inexpensive trinkets. You can buy from a large department store, or from a small vendor on the street. Vendors can be found anywhere there are tourists. So the areas of Nanjing Lu and Yuyuan Garden have huge selections. Prices vary tremendously depending on the item and the quality of workmanship, so take the time to look over the merchandise carefully.  

Books

There aren't a huge number of English language books to be found in Shanghai, but there are some. You will find bookstores, on Shanghai's "books, arts and culture street" Fuzhou Lu. In addition to the stores listed in the directory listings of the Shanghai Yellow Pages, most four- and five-star hotels have bookshops stocked with recent newspapers and magazines, along with an eclectic selection of gift books, populare novels, and China business instruction manuals.

Groceries

Shanghai's reputation as a culinary center is backed by the breadth of its grocery stores. One doesn't have to head to a specialty market to find things like pasta, cheddar cheese, bacon, extra virgin olive oil, or yogurt, any more. International brands of cosmetics and toiletries are also easily found in major grocery stores and convenience stores.

Shanghai has many large grocery chains: Metro, Carrefour, Tops, Hualian, and Lianhua, each with numerous locations around the city. The city also has countless 24-hour convenience stores, offering snacks, instant noodles, cold soda, and alcohol

There are also specialty stores that sell the still hard to find items foreigners crave; and usually offer free delivery service. 

Wines 

While most supermarkets stock wine and beer, selections tend to be rather limited. Import duties mean that prices for wine in Shanghai may double to triple the cost in North America or Europe. The wine market is gradually becoming more upscale and major importers of wine sponsor regular wine tastings.

Business hours of shops and stores in Shanghai vary greatly, but they are generally open daily, 10am-10pm. Banks' opening hours are Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm.

 
This article comes from Shanghai Yellow Pages