Planning to buy souvenirs during your trip to Shanghai? We'll take you to explore the best places to shop in Shanghai, including shopping malls, bargain shopping, speciality markets, and airport shopping. We will also recommend brand flagship stores, discount stores and local speciality markets to make your shopping trip in Shanghai more enjoyable.
Best & Biggest Shopping Malls in Shanghai
Shanghai International Financial Center (ifc Mall)
Image source of ifc mall: Amap
Located at No. 8 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, it is directly accessible from Lujiazui Station on Metro Line 2. This is a paradise for luxury lovers, with a collection of international first-line brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci. The mall has a modern design and an elegant and comfortable shopping environment, making it an ideal choice for shopping for branded bags, high-end watches, and jewellery.
If you want to bring some special souvenirs home, you can go to Shanghai Tang, where designer brand clothing and cultural and creative products that combine Chinese and Western styles are gathered, and buy some silk scarves and accessories full of Shanghai style. The mall also has a high-end dining area. When you are tired of shopping, you can enjoy delicious food while admiring the beautiful scenery of the Huangpu River.
Plaza 66
The plaza is located at 1266 Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District, and is accessible from Nanjing West Road Station on Metro Lines 2/12/13. As a long-established high-end shopping mall in Shanghai, it is home to top luxury brands such as Cartier and Prada. The mall often hosts fashion events and is a gathering place for trendy people. It is recommended to buy designer clothing and boutique accessories. The food court on the basement floor offers cuisine from all over the world, so you can enjoy delicious food while shopping. It is recommended to buy old Shanghai-style vanishing cream and fragrances as souvenirs.
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
This world-famous commercial street is located in Huangpu District and is just a short walk from People's Square Station on Metro Line 1, 2, or 8. From international brands to time-honoured shops, it is a great place to buy affordable clothing and Shanghai specialities.
We recommend buying classic snacks such as White Rabbit Toffees and Spiced Beans, as well as practical souvenirs such as silk pajamas. In the evening, Nanjing Road is particularly charming after the neon lights are turned on. It is a good place to experience Shanghai's nightlife.
Xintiandi
Located on Taicang Road, Huangpu District, Xintiandi is accessible via Huangpi South Road Station on Metro Line 1 or Xintiandi Station on Line 10/13. It perfectly combines Shikumen architecture with modern commerce, and gathers many independent designer shops and buyers' stores. Here you can buy creative home furnishings and local designer clothing.
Xintiandi is even more lively at night, with many bars and restaurants, making it the best choice to experience Shanghai's fashionable nightlife. You can also buy cultural and creative products with Shanghai elements as souvenirs.
Bicester Village Shanghai
Bicester Village Shanghai is located at No. 88, Shendi East Road, Pudong New Area, it is recommended to take Metro Line 11 to Disney Station and then transfer to the shuttle bus. This European-style outlet brings together many luxury brand discount stores, offering 30% to 70% discounts all year round. It is especially recommended to buy discounted brand-name bags, shoes and clothing. The shopping village has a beautiful environment and is suitable for taking photos. Coach and Michael Kors classic wallets, belts, etc. are all good souvenirs. The flow of people is large on weekends, so it is recommended to go on weekdays.
Cheap Shopping in Shanghai
Shanghai Tianzifang
Small shops around Tianzifang
Tianzifang, located at No. 210, Taikang Road, Huangpu District, is not only a tourist attraction, but also has many affordable shops hidden in the surrounding alleys. You can buy special handicrafts, creative stationery and retro clothing for around 100 yuan here. I recommend buying small souvenirs such as postcards and handmade soaps in the style of old Shanghai, which are both special and inexpensive. After shopping in the afternoon, you can take a break in a small cafe nearby and experience the old Shanghai style in the alleys.
Qipu Road Clothing Market
The clothing market is located on Qipu Road, Jing'an District, and is directly accessible from Tiantong Road Station on Metro Line 10/12. This is the largest clothing wholesale market in Shanghai, with super affordable prices. Basic items such as T-shirts and jeans can be bought starting at 50 yuan. Remember to bargain, usually you can bargain down to 1/3 of the marked price. In addition to clothes, you can also buy cheap bags, accessories and household items here, making it a good place to find bargains. The market is quite crowded, so it is recommended to go early in the morning when there are fewer people.
Shanghai online shopping electronics
If you want to buy cheap electronic products, we recommend Shanghai sellers on JD.com or Pinduoduo. Especially for mobile phone accessories and small appliances, the prices are often more than 30% cheaper than in physical stores. When buying, pay attention to choosing reputable merchants. Many of them support offline self-pickup, and you can get the goods on the same day. Huaqiangbei-style electronic product distribution centres are mainly concentrated in Zhangjiang area of Pudong, which is suitable for bulk purchases.
Shanghai Airport Shopping
Shopping at Shanghai Pudong Airport
The duty-free shops in Terminals T1 and T2 of Pudong Airport are must-visits for departing passengers (departing tourists can enjoy tax refunds if they spend a certain amount of money in designated stores). Cosmetics, tobacco and alcohol are 20%-30% cheaper than in the city. Common speciality products include Zhonghua cigarettes, Shanghai brand vanishing cream, etc., and international brand skin care products are often discounted. The Disney store in Terminal T2 has exclusive limited products, which are suitable as souvenirs. There are also many bookshops in the airport, where you can buy Chinese and English versions of Shanghai scenery postcards and cultural and creative products.
Shopping at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport
The commercial area of Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 is concentrated on the departure level. There are Shanghai time-honoured food stores here, where you can buy traditional snacks such as spiced beans and pear paste candy. The prices of cosmetics and perfumes are the same as those of downtown counters, but they are more convenient. The most popular are various Shanghai-themed cultural and creative products, such as refrigerator magnets with the Bund night view and Shikumen building models. You may want to take a look while waiting for your flight and pick up some small and exquisite souvenirs.
>> Check out the China Tax Refund Guide for Foreign Tourists below to save more on your shopping!
Best Unique Markets in Shanghai (Shanghai Fake Market)
AP Plaza image from Smart Shanghai
AP Plaza
AP Plaza is located at 2002 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, and is directly accessible from Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Station on Metro Line 2. This underground mall is famous for its electronic products and high-end imitation goods, ranging from mobile phone accessories to brand-name bags. You can try to bargain boldly, and usually get 1/3 of the price.
In addition to electronic products, you can also find various interesting gadgets here, which is suitable for buying practical and cheap travel souvenirs. The passages in the market are narrow, so it is recommended to avoid the peak period on weekends.
Dongtai Road Antique Market
It is located on Dongtai Road in Huangpu District, and is a 10-minute walk from Xintiandi Station on Metro Line 10. This is a paradise for antique lovers, where you can find nostalgic items such as old Shanghai stamps and vintage watches. Visitors can buy small jade ornaments or vintage postcards as souvenirs.
However, the market is mixed with genuine and fake items, so novices are better off choosing small items with moderate prices. If you are tired of shopping, you can rest in a nearby cafe and feel the literary atmosphere of the French Concession.
Shopping in Shanghai Brand Stores and Factory Outlets
Nike Shanghai 001 Flagship Store image from Smart Shanghai
Nike Shanghai 001 Flagship Store
This Nike store is at Shimao Plaza, No. 829 Nanjing East Road, and can be reached by taking Metro Line 1/2/8 to People's Square Station. This is Nike's largest flagship store in Asia, with four floors displaying the latest sports shoes and limited edition products. Special services include the NIKE BY YOU customization area, where you can design your own sneakers. Here you can buy Shanghai city limited edition sports shoes, which are both practical and commemorative. There is also a basketball experience area in the store, where you can experience the fun of sports while shopping.
Qingpu Bailian Outlets
The plaza is located in Qingpu District. I suggest you take a taxi or Line 17 to Jiasong Middle Road Station (No. 2888, Huqingping Highway). This open-air discount village gathers more than 200 international brands and offers 30% to 70% discounts all year round. Especially if you want to buy classic bags from light luxury brands such as Coach and MK, the price is usually half of the counter. There are a lot of people on weekends, so it is better to go there on weekdays. The park has complete dining facilities, and you can spend a whole day leisurely.
Shopping in Shanghai FAQs
Q: What is Shanghai best known for shopping?
A: Shanghai is famous for luxury malls (like IFC Mall), Nanjing Road shopping street, and unique markets (AP Plaza for electronics, Tianzifang for crafts).
Q: What should we buy in Shanghai?
A: Buy luxury brands (Xintiandi), discounted fashion (Bicester Village), local souvenirs (pearl jewelry, silk scarves), and electronics (Xujiahui).
Q: Where do locals shop in Shanghai?
A: Locals shop at Qipu Road (cheap clothes), Xujiahui (electronics), and supermarkets like City Shop for daily goods.
Q: Where is the shopping street in Shanghai?
A: Nanjing Road (East & West) is the most famous shopping street, with both global brands and local stores.
Q: Is Shanghai expensive for shopping?
A: It depends—luxury malls are expensive, but markets (Qipu Road) and outlets (Bicester Village) offer great bargains.
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