Shanghai Specials        7/18/2008 1:29:44 AM

Shanghai is one of the most prosperous cities in the world where you can buy almost anything. The main shopping streets, Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road offer so many international brand-names. But if you are not interested in fashion and prefer shopping at outdoor markets, try Shanghai's numerous flee markets. Beneath Shanghai's magnificent shopping malls, department stores and boutiques, flourish numerous flee markets. The outdoor bazaar at Yuyuan Garden sells various souvenirs and art & crafts while the markets the "Cultural Street Market" on Fuzhou Road, the "Antique Street Market" on Dongtai Road and " Clothes street market on Shimen Road are traditional Chinese open-air markets. Have a unique shopping experience as well as see old traditional side of Shanghai, opposite to its glorious appearance.

Clothes & shoes
Check the shopping malls at Nanjing Road or Huaihai Road for world renowned brand fashion items and try the Changle Road and Miaoming Road if you want boutiques, especially if you would like to purchase a Qibao (Chinese Cheongsam). The Chinese Cheongsam street in Changle Road contains about 20 cheongsam shops. Most of the shops provide tailoring services. It can be found close to Jingjiang Hotel.  Shaanxi Road and Huacao Road are crowded with small shoe shops with cheap prices. 

Silk

Shanghai is close to Suzhou-home to the finest silk products in the world so it possible to find fine silk products at good prices. Silk at the Shanghai Silk Building is excellent quality and many local residents shop there. The company has branches in Huaihai Road (add: 226 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Huating Lu) and Nanjing Road: No, 588 East Nanjing Road.

Porcelain
Shanghai Museum has some of the best Porcelain on offer. Location: No.201 Renming Da Dao. In some big department stores, you may find porcelain made in Jingdezhen.

Souvenirs, art & crafts & antiques
Yuyuan Bazaar
Yuyuan Bazaar has an amazing array of traditional Chinese items including paintings by folk artists, pearls from the Taihu Lake, calligraphy, old bank notes and wood carvings.

Curio Street at Dongtai Road
The Curio Street at Dongtai Road is the antique-hunter's mecca. Slightly over-200-meter long, the street is lined with more than 125 small shops selling a mind-boggling variety of items. The main products are China wares, bronze wares, jade pieces, bamboo and wood carvings, calligraphy, paintings, badges, Chairman Mao memorabilia ancient ink, paper, brush pen and inkslabs. The place remains as one of the most popular markets among expats and locals alike. The main fact to remember is that most of the items are not genuine. The fun of the place may not in finding a real antique, but seeing all of interesting items and the haggling experience. Haggle hard if  you want to purchase something.

Books and Videos
Shanghai Xinhua Book Store has over 4,000 branches throughout the city. The one close to east Nanjing Road is on the 5th floor at No. 221 Middle Henan Road.