The Chinese metropolis of Shanghai has become a coveted object in the eyes of tourists relatively recently. After the small, one might say, the village turned into a stronghold of skyscrapers and avenues with perfect road coverage, both travelers and shoppers rushed here. Why? Yes, because shopping in Shanghai is considered one of the cheapest, and the range of goods offered is dizzying. We decided to explore all the outlets of this modern city. Let's take a virtual shopping tour of Shanghai and find out what's going on there now.
How to get to China?
To begin with, let's deal with organizational issues, namely with tickets, visas and other red tape, which, as a rule, accompanies any trip. The easiest option is to buy a tour to Shanghai, which is focused directly on shopping. The duration of such trips varies from 1 to 10 days. The average price fora two-day shopping marathon will set you back $200. It is noteworthy that such points as visa, insurance and plane ticket are included in this cost in full by far from all travel agencies. You should definitely clarify this, since there are often cases when you have to pay extra for something.
Cheaper tours to Shanghai are available to residents of the Far East region of Russia. It so happened that holders of passports issued in this particular region of our country can visit China on the so-called simplified conditions. Therefore, by paying a symbolic amount to Chinese intermediaries, you will quickly find yourself in one of the most noisy and crowded megacities in the world.
Official tour program
As a rule, shopping in Shanghai according to the standard scheme is a visit to the four main streets of the city, where the most expensive and popular stores are concentrated. The first street - Nanjing (as it is called for Russian tourists, and in the local dialect it sounds like "Nanjinglu"), it is the largest and noisiest. This is followed by a tour of Huaihai Street, where boutiques of elite European brands are presented. At the end of the journey, everyone goes to North Sichuan and Middle Tibet Street.
It is this limited program that makes any tour to this gigantic metropolis unprofitable. After all, he excludes visiting places such as the markets of Shanghai, and this is a separate issue altogether. It is in the markets, which are only called so, but in fact are modern shopping centers, that the very affordable and high-quality goods are sold, for which everyonehunt. Well, let's get acquainted with all the corners of this city where you can find the treasured goods.
Nanjing Street
We start our journey from the most promoted and expensive street of the city. It concentrates both boutiques of the most famous European luxury brands, as well as clothes from Chinese manufacturers. But this does not mean at all that it is of poor quality and bad. Feel and try it on, and you will be extremely surprised by the fact that it looks and sits on you no worse than Chanel, but at the same time it costs several times less. Compared to all other districts and malls of Shanghai, Nanjing Street is the most expensive, but the prices here are lower than in the regional centers of Russia. By the way, there are over 600 shops here, so you can get lost for the whole day on just one street.
Additionally, if you are looking for "traditional" shopping in Shanghai, that is, in the European format, then Nanjing Street is just what you need. It also has a huge number of hotels and spas.
In pursuit of antiques
Real Chinese antiques are the envy of millions. But in the rhythm of modern life, it is extremely difficult to find it, because scammers are found everywhere, offering you a trinket created in the basement a month ago under the guise of an old thing. A more or less acceptable range of antiques is presented at the Dong Tay market. There are countless things here that many of us have never seen at all. By the way, this is a great place to buy yourselfunique antique Chinese umbrella made of high quality and resistant materials. Along with similar items, there are boxes, scarves, porcelain items and other souvenirs with the spirit of Chinese uniqueness.
Diamonds and pearls
If you don't know what to bring from Shanghai as a gift to your family and friends, then go to the wholesale market, where pearls, semi-precious and precious stones are sold. It is located on Fu Eu Street, and its full name is First Asia Jewelry Plaza, which translates as "The First Asian Jewelry Shopping Center." Here, in fact, pearls and other jewelry are sold at very low prices, even if you take them at retail, not wholesale. We also note that the market has its own unique feature: here you can choose stones and metals separately, as well as draw a sketch of the desired decoration. According to your order, the jewelry will be made in a couple of days.
Universal Outlet
If you are tired of shopping in Shanghai, but you still need to buy a lot of things, then go to the Yatai Jinan market. It is located literally underground near the metro station "Technological Museum". What is so remarkable about this place? The fact is that here you can buy absolutely everything, from Chinese fans to branded clothing and jewelry. Prices for goods in the "dungeon" are very reasonable. Their quality can be described as above average (this applies to clothing and footwear). Butmost importantly, this Shanghai market is not too popular among tourists who go on shopping tours. Therefore, here you will not encounter such unpleasant moments as inflated prices, a huge flow of buyers or a shortage of the right size.
Another one-stop shop
A similar shopping center, which sells both Chinese umbrellas and famous brands, is located near the Longhua Temple. On the one hand, this is its plus, and on the other hand, it is a minus. The market is located in a tourist place, so it is very popular among those who like to travel and shop at the same time. This is also its drawback: inflated prices, a huge number of people, the product instantly disappears from the shelves. The full name of this establishment is "Longhua Street Brand Clothing and Gift Market".
Fabrics and more fabrics
For centuries, people from all over the world have come to China to buy fabrics there. They are made in this country of incredibly high quality and solid, moreover, the colors, texture and other characteristics are completely unique. You will not be able to find something similar on Russian shelves. The most popular Chinese silk store in Shanghai is located at 399 Lujiabang Road, South Bund. This is a whole market, consisting of three floors, where not only all kinds and colors of silk are presented, but there are also ateliers. The only negative is that many dressmakers don't even speak English, so a basic knowledge of Chinese will come in handy.
In the sewing world
If you are interested in purchasing good quality fabrics and garments, then go to the market located at 168 Dongmen Road near Yuyuan Private Garden. Here the assortment is slightly smaller than in the previous institution, but at the same time the fabrics are much more unique. There is also a variety of sewing equipment, ranging from needles for hand seams to machines and overlockers. Local tailors (many of whom, by the way, speak English) will be happy to sew any product according to your sketches in a short period of time. But most importantly, this Shanghai store is not mega-popular among foreign tourists. Therefore, there will be no crowds here, and the prices will please.
Tea ceremony
Along with silks and umbrellas, travelers from all over the world bring kilograms of tea from China to their homeland. There is nothing surprising in this, because this drink was born in the East, and until now only the most elite varieties of tea are grown and harvested in this country and neighboring India. Where can you buy this drink, so that at the same time it turns out to be incredibly tasty, fragrant and unique? A long time ago, the Tien Shan market has been operating in Shanghai. It sells exclusively tea and tea sets, and the variety of varieties and aromas makes your head spin. In order to taste the drink, you will not just be allowed to sniff it in a pack. Local vendors will be happy to organize a tea ceremony for you so that you can fully taste the variety (or varieties) of tea that youliked. It will also be beautifully packaged here, so that later it can be presented as a gift to someone. But it is worth noting that tea and China are taken out not only by Russian tourists, but also by travelers from different parts of the world. Therefore, the prices here are considerable.
City within a city
This information will come in handy for those people who know Chinese or travel with an interpreter. There is a Fujuan market in Shanghai, which in its area is more like a small town. It consists of 18 five-story buildings, each of which is a shopping center. There are practically no foreigners here, goods of any category are presented in abundance, and prices are so low that it is simply impossible to leave without a ton of packages. But Fujuan vendors only speak their native language, and without knowing it, you are unlikely to find it easy to shop in this place.
World of flora and fauna
If you happen to be in Shanghai, be sure to go for new impressions to the markets, where exotic fauna and flora are presented. They are located on two streets: Tibetan and Khondzin. There you will see outlandish flowers, both cut and in pots. You will be able to get acquainted with marvelous animals and insects, which simply do not exist in Russia. In the market they literally live, that is, trees grow that have "survived" dozens of human generations. Also there are many fish, birds, corals, etc. Many goods from such markets cannot be imported into Russia, but you need to visit here just to see them.
Summarize
Shanghai is a metropolis where you can buy absolutely everything - from a Chinese fan to an exotic animal. There are popular places where everything is beautiful, but expensive. There are unique markets where knowledge of the Chinese language is indispensable, but prices are extremely low. It is only important to know where to look, and you will definitely be able to buy everything you want. In addition, we emphasize that in China it is not only possible, but necessary to bargain. But you should do this only if you definitely decided to buy a specific product, and not just want to tease the seller. They don't like that around here.
