Shopping in Shànghǎi
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Paramita
If you can’t make it to Tibet, at least swing by Paramita for its inspiring collection of souvenirs, including yak-bone amulets (Y90), masks, jewellery, framed mandalas and other Buddhist treasures from the Himalayas. It’s a nonprofit organisation, founded to help Tibetans with minimal education find employment.
reviewed
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Guyi Antique Furniture
There aren’t many genuine antiques here, but there are a lot of good-quality reproductions and it’s especially strong on screens, cabinets and desks. They speak English.
reviewed
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Zhejiang Huzhou Bedding Factory
The ‘factory’ is no more than a large outdoor workbench where family members measure out and comb silk quilts ( 蚕丝被; cánsī bèi ) right on the street. A popular Shànghǎi purchase, silk quilts (comforters) are lighter weight and more breathable than their down counterparts. They are sold by density (1.5kg or 2kg are reasonable choices). The prices are fixed (Y650 for a 2kg queen-sized quilt) and cheaper than anywhere else in town. They also sell their quilts at the Wangjia Docks Fabric Market (( 王家码头丝绸面料市场; Wángjiā Mǎtou Sīchóu Miànliào Shìchǎng; 191 Nancang St; 南仓街 191 号 ), across from the South Bund Fabric Market.
reviewed
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Propaganda Poster Art Centre
If socialist art is your thing, check out this gallery which houses a huge collection of propaganda posters. Increasingly prized by collectors, some of them are very rare and prices are correspondingly high. The cheapest start at around Y1000. But there are also lots of cartoons and memorabilia, which are more affordable. Mr Yang, who runs the place, speaks good English and will show you around. Ask to see his collection of dàzìbào, the hand-written posters used to denounce people during the Cultural Revolution. This is the only place on the mainland you’ll see them; most young Chinese have never seen one. The beautiful calligraphy makes for a huge contrast with the vi…
reviewed
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Shanghai Tang
Hong Kong-based Shanghai Tang flies the flag for the Middle Kingdom in the world of high-end fashion. The designs are classic Chinese with a twist, incorporating fluorescent colours, traditional motifs and luxury fabrics like silk and cashmere into the clothes and accessories. More affordable items include the slinky tops (from Y1500) and the scarves (Y985), but if you have to ask the price of an item here you can’t afford it. There are other branches in the Jinjiang Hotel complex and Pudong Shangri-La.
reviewed
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Shokay
If the sign outside (‘100% yak!’) doesn’t catch your attention, we don’t know what will. Shokay is one of the few places in the world where you can pick up hand-knit clothing made entirely out of, yup, yak wool – which is a surprisingly soft, supple material. A nonprofit organisation, they support Tibetan herders (who gather the wool) and Chongming Island farmers (who do the knitting) and use revenue to help Chinese minority groups start their own businesses. Scarves start at Y980.
reviewed
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Cheese & Fizz
It's fairly uncommon to entertain guests in Shanghai with wheels of brie and bottles of vintage Veuve Cliquot, but this French deli would be the place to stock up. It's not just French cheeses and imported wines - there's Swiss chocolate too. There's another branch at the Shanghai Centre (1376 West Nanjing Rd) and on the ground floor of the Superbrand Mall in Pǔdōng. Come armed with an expense account or an unsuspecting friend's credit card.
reviewed
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Small Small Museum
Hidden behind el Willy is this eccentric Japanese shop, which rents out 12in-by-12in boxes to Shànghǎi artists and designers. It’s as much a study in personalities as it is a place to shop for gifts – some people cram their box full, others choose to highlight just one or two creations. Items on sale range from the hokey (Shànghǎi pet photos) to the unusual (kimono fabrics) to the quotidian (candles).
reviewed
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Xingguang Photography Equipment
There are three main floors of photography equipment here, and while prices vary (you need to bargain; no guarantees) you can still expect to find some good buys. Digital cameras are everywhere, but photography buffs will be most interested in sorting through the various lenses, tripods and bags. A real find is the Shen-Hao ( 申豪) shop on the 4th floor, which sells their hard-to-find field cameras. A repair shop is on the 3rd floor.
reviewed
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Electronics Market
If you want to put together your own computer, replace a processor, soup up an MP3 player or score a pair of speakers for the apartment, try this market located right under the elevated train tracks that lead into Baoshan Rd metro. It’s a Cybermart for people who don’t mind the lack of a guarantee or receipt. Prices are low and negotiable (DVD players go from Y150 up), but how long everything will last is another matter.
reviewed
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Chine Antiques
This is one of the glossiest antique stores, with prices at the higher end of the spectrum. This branch is at the Liu Haisu Art Gallery and there’s a warehouse on the western outskirts. A small branch office in the Old Town (6387 4100; 38 Liuhekou Rd; 浏河口路 38 号 ), just off Dongtai Rd, can direct you to another warehouse a couple of minutes’ walk away.
reviewed
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Old Town Gods Temple Antique Market
The basement of the Huabao Building, slap bang in the centre of the bazaar, houses a collection of established antique shops. These are the kind of antique stalls that accept all major credit cards and there's a real mish-mash of stuff here, from old mah-jong sets and watches to porcelain and pottery, as well as the opium pipes found in every Chinese antique market. The sales staff are a bit pushy here and you need to haggle.
reviewed
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Jim Dandies
This cool boutique owned by the artist Yurika Nakae is bizarrely hidden away in a downmarket mini-mall that sees few foreign faces. The funky knitwear, tops, jeans and belts make for a big contrast with the tat on sale in the shops around it. Prices start at around Y300 but go far higher for some items. The shop is inside the Liangzhuang shopping market, which is just south of Shanghai Stadium metro and opposite IKEA.
reviewed
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Carrefour
This French chain is currently the only foreign supermarket that actually turns a profit and at nights and weekends the place is packed, largely because prices are the same as those in Chinese supermarkets. You can find everything from imported wines and French bread to cheap bikes and crockery. This branch has the widest range of Western food. There are currently nineteen branches in the greater Shànghǎi area.
reviewed
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D-Mall & Hong Kong Shopping Plaza
Located in an old bomb shelter under Renmin Park, D-Mall and Hong Kong Shopping Plaza are a merging maze of boutiques with mid- and low-end Japanese, Chinese and Western clothing styles, as well as a plethora of cosmetics and manicure shops. It's more downmarket and affordable than many of the other malls in town, which makes it popular with the locals. There are two entrances on the south side of Renmin Ave.
reviewed
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Zhōngzhōng Jiāyuán Jiāju
There are more pieces, including hundreds of wooden screens, here under one roof than anyone can take the time for. Ask to see all the rooms (about 15!), including the unrestored pieces in the warehouse, but only if you have a spare day or two. The sales staff are slicker and prices slightly higher than at some other places in town, but if you’re looking for something specific, they might just have it.
reviewed
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Foreign Languages Bookstore
The days when the selection of titles at these government-sponsored bookstores ran from Dickens to Sherlock Holmes are long gone. There’s now an ever-expanding range of fiction and nonfiction upstairs, as well as an impressive selection of Lonely Planet guides on the ground floor (though they sometimes refuse to stock the China guide). It’s a good place to come for titles and maps on Shànghǎi.
reviewed
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Tong Han Chun Traditional Medicine Store
A fantastic old emporium of elixirs, infusions and remedies, this place has been in business since 1783. There’s a huge range here, including modern medication, but it’s all labelled in Chinese and there’s not much English spoken so you’ll need a translator. On the 3rd floor, traditional-Chinese-medicine (TCM) doctors offer consultations (you’ll need an appointment).
reviewed
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Huā Yàng Nián Huá
Huā Yàng Nián Huá takes its name from the Chinese title of the Wong Kar Wai movie In the Mood for Love, which featured Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung in an array of stunning qípáo. Fittingly, they make fine tailor-made qípáo here from Y1200, but there’s no guarantee you’ll look like Ms Cheung once you slip one on.
reviewed
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Duoyunxuan Art Shop
A multistorey, traditional-looking building (look for the two enormous calligraphy brushes outside) with an excellent selection of art and calligraphy supplies. The 2nd floor is one of the best places for heavy art books, both international and Chinese, and the 3rd floor houses antiques and some excellent calligraphy and brush-painting galleries. You can get your own chop made here.
reviewed
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Metro City
Half of this mall is about technology, selling electronics, computers and software; the other half is all about fun, with a Sega arcade and a Megabite in the basement and Kodak Cinema World on the 5th floor. Next door is the Pacific Digital Plaza (1117 Zhaojiabang Rd), another electronics emporium that spreads across two buildings.
reviewed
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International Artists' Factory
Despite the grandiose name, this place, which is located in the hip and happening Taikang Rd Art Centre in Lane 210, is really a design and art centre with a handful of fashion boutiques. Shops worth a lazy meander include Jooi Design (Room 201) for cool bags, cushions and Japanese-style asymmetrical shirts (from around Y800) and L'Atelier Mandarine (Room 318) for kiddies clothes.
reviewed
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Zhenchalin Tea
From the entrance this looks like just another tea shop, but poke around inside and you’ll find specially blended herbal teas (Y40) from Ayako, a TCM-certified nutritionist. Peruse the hand-wrapped pu-erh teas, ceramic and crystal teaware, and watercolour postcards of Shànghǎi while staff ply you with tiny cups of ginseng oolong to keep you lingering.
reviewed
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Plaza 66
The poshest mall in Shanghai, this place is not just home to long-established superstar labels like Dior, DKNY, Lagerfeld and Prada, but also Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Paul Smith and Anna Sui. Fashionistas will think they have died and gone to heaven. Everyone else may well expire at the sight of the prices. The 5th floor restaurants are top-notch too.
reviewed
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Raffles City
A seven-floor, nonsmoking, Singapore-owned mall that specialises in medium-level Western brands like Levi’s, Miss Sixty and Quiksilver. There are also electronics and toy shops here, as well as food courts with noodle and pizza places, and a juice bar ( 水果吧; shuǐguǒ bā ) and Watson’s in the basement.
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