Also referred to as “Oriental Paris”, Shanghai is reputed to be the richest and biggest city in China, rivaling New York and Paris when it comes to modernity. With a blend of Eastern and Western cultures, Shanghai attracts tourists seeking to explore historical landmarks and modern skylines at the same time. And this meeting of cultures transcends to the shopping options in this city. Here are some places for the best shopping in Shanghai:
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Best Shopping in Shanghai – Ba Yan Ka La
Immerse yourself in a sea of scents at Ba Yan Ka La. This cosmetics store can be found on the softer end of Changle Road. Here, one can find Chinese herbal ingredients blended with organic skincare. From exquisitely scented lotions to handmade candles and soaps, it is a great place to shop for gifts.
Changle Road in Shanghai – photo by Livelikerw under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Best Shopping in Shanghai – Dong Liang
Looking for essential clothing items that never go out of style? Head to Fumin Road and step inside Dong Liang. This shop is converted from an old lane house and offers interesting capsule collections, purses, eye wear and slippers by indie labels in China.
Best Shopping in Shanghai – Fabric Market
The Fabric Market in Shanghai is famous for its bespoke garments. Here, hundreds of seamstresses and tailors gather and showcase their goods. There are several varieties of cashmere, silk and other fabrics to be browsed, as well as home goods and electronics.
garments sold at the Fabric Market in Shanghai – photo by jwalsh under CC BY 2.0
Jing’an Kerry Centre
Jing’an Kerry Centre, at the heart of Shanghai’s Jing’an district, is a lifestyle complex with millions of square feet. It includes spaces for luxury shopping, dining and residences. It likewise has office spaces and a museum. There are stores where you can find popular brands, as well as emerging local designer labels. Jing’an Kerry Centre is also a place for off-season outlets, local brands and concept stores. The basement of the mall is a space for a mega supermarket.
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Jing’an Kerry Centre – photo by hans-johnson under CC BY-ND 2.0
Madame Mao’s Dowry
Madame Mao’s Dowry on Fumin Road is a showplace for art and souvenirs inspired by the Cultural Revolution in China. While at Madame Mao’s, one can also look around the showcase of household and pop-up fashion items.
Plaza 66
This shopping mall has more than 50,000 square meters of space with 5 levels. It is the place to shop for the rich and famous in Shanghai. Its lineup of dining options includes a Michelin starred restaurant. Plaza 66 also has an impressive array of designer stores and flagship shops. The mall has a VIC Lounge for very important customers that hosts private tastings and runway shows, as well as personalized shopping events. Definitely a place to visit if you’re spending 48 hours in Shanghai.
the interior of Shanghai Plaza 66 Shopping Mall – photo by WiNG under CC-BY-3.0
Shanghai DMC Shopping Center
Tucked beneath People’s Square in Shanghai, Shanghai DMC Shopping Center (also known as Dimei Shopping Center) is an underground shopping wonderland. The shops in this shopping destination are known for their competitive prices and fashionable selections. However, top brands are almost non-existent at Shanghai DMC.
People’s Square in Shanghai, where Dimei Shopping Center is found underground – photo by puffin11k under CC BY-SA 2.0
The Bookstores along Culture Street
Fuzhou Road in Shanghai earned its “Culture Street” moniker over a century ago. Various bookstores line Fuzhou Road. They offer volumes of books and magazines on different subjects and in different languages. Among the most popular bookstores on Fuzhou Road are Shanghai Bookstore and Foreign Languages Bookstore.
The Bund
The Bund is a popular waterfront area in Shanghai packed with skyscrapers and colonial buildings. It is also home to luxury shops, like those at Bund 18, Swatch Art Peace Hotel and The Peninsula. These powerhouse luxury shops are interposed with local boutiques lining the side streets of The Bund. These local boutiques offer attention-grabbing items like handcrafted silk slippers at Suzhou Cobblers and hand-painted porcelain at Blue Shanghai White.
The Bund – photo by Franck Michel under CC BY 2.0
Tianzifang
For the artsy-crafty, Tianzifang (also Tianzi Fang) is the place to be in Shanghai. This enclave for the arts and crafts is found within the French Concession quarter of Shanghai. Once a traditional residential area, Tianzifang is presently home to bars, restaurants and boutique shops.
a cheongsam (also qipao) displayed in a Tianzifang shop – photo by Max Pixel under CC0 Public Domain
Xintiandi Style Shopping Centre
Xintiandi Style is a concept mall that offers cutting-edge designs for women’s wear, leather goods, home décor and lingerie from local brands.
Taipingqiao Park across Xintiandi Style Shopping Centre – photo by Brian Brake under CC BY-SA 2.0
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