10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Shanghai

The crown jewel of Shanghai shopping is Nanjing Road, a 6-km stretch of shops, restaurants and luxury boutiques. One of the world’s longest shopping streets, it’s divided into 2 sections. The east has speciality stores and small shops selling clothes and electronics. In the west, you’ll find high-end shopping malls and international brands like Louis Vuitton.

Nanjing Road is peppered with cafes and restaurants, so shoppers have plenty of opportunities to rest weary legs. And if you just don’t want to walk 6 km, worry not: the street has a tram running from end to end.

Tianzifang is a labyrinthine part of the former French Concession where old Shanghai meets new. Narrow streets are lined with traditional Shikumen-style buildings housing art galleries, stationery shops and hip tea houses. Although the area draws mostly tourists, there are still lots of longstanding neighbourhood shops and inventive design stores that are well worth browsing.

Pick up new crafts inspired by old traditions, t-shirts with artsy prints and works by local contemporary artists. Snack on street food or stop for lunch at one of the neighbourhood’s many cafes and restaurants. Day or night, Tianzifang is a lively part of town with plenty to explore.

Xintiandi is one of Shanghai’s most fashionable destinations. This upscale shopping and entertainment district is centred on a pedestrian street lined with a blend of old and new architecture: restored Shikumen houses, stately European buildings and modern glass facades.

While there are some international names here, the area focuses on Chinese luxury brands and designers like Shanghai Tang and Uma Wang. Chic eateries offering al fresco dining are the norm, as are premium confectionaries like Lady M, creator of the world-famous mille crêpe cake.

Another of the city’s busiest shopping streets, Huaihai Road is Shanghai’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue in New York City. There are more than 400 stores in this shopping mecca, which spans 5 km of a tree-lined avenue.

Offerings run the gambit from top international designers to popular fast fashion brands like H&M and Zara. Stores line the avenue itself and cluster inside a series of malls like Golden Bell Plaza and Shanghai Times Square. Stop in IAPM Mall for major sportswear brands like Onitsuka Tiger, and tea lovers will want to sample the high-quality teas at Huangshan Tea Company.

IFC Mall is a queen among shopping malls, a glass-ceilinged mega mall in the centre of Pudong’s skyscrapers. Just making your way to the mall gives an outstanding view of Shanghai’s tallest structures, especially the futuristic Pearl Tower. Stepping inside, you’ll have 5 stories of high-end stores to explore.

This is a particularly great spot to shop for those who love fine foods. The IFC has many excellent restaurants, plus shops making the highest quality breads and patisserie. Head to the basement level to browse international offerings at the gourmet supermarket.

Known mostly for its stunning European-style architecture and dazzling skyline views, the Bund has a lot to offer shoppers as well. Exploring the side streets of the waterfront promenade, you’ll find a mix of luxury retailers like Cartier and Chanel along with local boutiques.

The boutiques are where you’ll find some really special handcrafted products, many of which draw on Chinese traditions in new ways. Annabel Lee produces embroidered silk décor and accessories, and Suzhou Cobblers sell handmade silk slippers in modern styles. Find the perfect gift for your loved one or yourself, then step out to the waterfront and take in the view.

The South Bund Fabric Market is a legendary Shanghai spot for quality fabrics and custom-made garments. There are more than 100 vendors and tailors here selling silks, leathers and other fabrics, all at pretty reasonable prices. Be sure to bring cash, as most do not accept cards.

If you’re interested in ordering a custom garment, select your material from the vast offerings and let the tailors take your measurements. You might also bring a favourite item of clothing and ask for a replica in another material. The tailors here are highly skilled and precise, but it's nevertheless in your best interest to be as specific as possible when making your request.

HKRI Taikoo Hui is one of Shanghai’s major shopping malls, located near Nanjing West. The sprawling 8-level mall features popular global retailers and tends more toward affordable brands than luxury brands. The mall has food courts on the lower levels, a variety of restaurants serving Chinese and international cuisine and a roof garden.

While not directly inside the mall, a major draw to the HKRI Taikoo Hui is the Starbucks Reserve Roastery next door. One of the biggest Starbucks locations in the world, this massive roastery is essentially a coffee-themed amusement park. Visitors can observe the roasting process, take home freshly roasted beans and explore unique features like a Teavana tea bar and a library of coffee literature.

Home to over 150 galleries and studios, the M50 Art District is a hub for contemporary artists. Buildings that were once textile warehouses have been refurbished into a complex where artists create and showcase their art. Works on display range from highly priced designs with a commercial bent to one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces and inventive street art.

The best time to visit is the afternoon, when you’re most likely to catch artists at work. Most are open to sharing their ideas and engaging in conversation with visitors, and many are happy to take commissions for artworks.

Tea is still by far the beverage of choice in China, and locals and tourists alike head to Tianshan Tea City to stock up on teas and tea ware. Visitors enter the 3-storey complex, devoted entirely to tea, through what looks like a temple gate. Many of the shops inside feel like they’ve been transported from another time.

There are more than 150 stalls in the complex, and vendors offer a huge variety of teas. White, oolong, jasmine, pu’er: you name it, they sell it here. If you can’t make up your mind, shopkeepers are happy to make recommendations and pour you a sample to try before you buy.