Shopping Street
Nanjing Road East
About
Shanghai's main commercial drag. 5.5 km of retail from high-street chains to flagship department stores. The pedestrian section between People's Square and the Bund is world-famous.
Shopping
Shanghai Shopping Guide
From luxury flagships on the Bund to hidden fabric markets where tailors copy anything in 48 hours. Shanghai is a shopper's city.
Shanghai is Asia's shopping capital for a reason
Shanghai has been a trading city since 1842, and it shows. The shopping experience here ranges from air-conditioned luxury malls where sales associates speak four languages to underground markets where you bargain in broken Mandarin and hand gestures. The best strategy is to do both: spend a morning at IFC or Plaza 66 to understand what the high-end versions look and feel like, then head to the South Bund Fabric Market or AP Plaza to find impressively good versions at a fraction of the price.
A word on bargaining: at the fabric market and AP Plaza, the first price you hear is usually 3-4 times what the vendor will actually accept. Start at 25-30% of their opening price and settle around 40-50%. Be friendly, be willing to walk away, and bring cash — many stalls do not accept international cards. For a more curated experience, Tianzifang and the French Concession's independent boutiques offer fixed-price shopping with no haggling required.
A quick note on opening hours and payment
Most shopping streets and malls are open seven days a week, typically from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The South Bund Fabric Market opens earlier (around 9:00 AM) and many stalls close by 6:00 PM, so go in the morning if you want a custom piece made that day. Online payment is dominant across the city — most shops, even market stalls, accept Alipay and WeChat Pay. International cards work at malls and upscale shops but become patchy at smaller markets, so carry some cash for haggling and street stalls.
Tax refunds are available to non-residents for goods over RMB 500 at major department stores, processed at the airport with receipts and your passport. Between the big malls, the fabric district, and the neighborhood flea markets, plan shopping as a half-day activity rather than an afterthought — two hours fly by, and the selection is genuinely vast. For luxury pieces with skyscraper views, IFC Mall and Plaza 66 are the gold standard; for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, the French Concession's boutiques beat any duty-free.
Market
South Bund Fabric Market
About
Three floors of tailors who will copy anything. Bring a photo of what you want, choose your fabric, and pick it up in 48 hours. Cashmere coats, suits, dresses — bargain hard.
Shopping Street
Huaihai Road
About
More upscale than Nanjing Road. International luxury brands, Shanghai's best department stores, and local fashion boutiques in the side streets.
Arts & Crafts
Tianzifang
About
Narrow alleyways packed with independent designers, art studios, and craft shops. Great for unique souvenirs that aren't mass-produced.
Market
AP Plaza (Fake Market)
About
The infamous underground market at the Science and Technology Museum Metro station. Bags, watches, electronics. Know what you're buying and negotiate aggressively.
Luxury Mall
IFC Mall
About
Pudong's premier luxury shopping complex. Every major brand is here, plus a superb food court and an Apple Store with Bund views.