Shanghai is an ideal place to do shopping in China. There are department stores, shopping centers, century-old shops, shops for special commodities and super-markets row upon row with each showing its own domain. The famous, special and superb commodities from home and abroad are a feast for eyes with everything that one could wish for.

 

Clothing
The Shanghainese being connoisseurs of fashion and style, shops selling fashionable clothing in cotton, wool, silk, and just about any imaginable material are abundant here, and the prices are low. Traditional clothing such as Qipao (mandarin collar dresses) and Mian ao (padded jackets sometimes referred to as Mao jackets or Zhongshan jackets) are once again fashionable purchases.

 

Silk
Shanghai is known for its selection and low price in silk. Shanghai is one of China's most important regions for silk production and export. Silk of various grades, satin, damask silk, silk gauze, brocade, crape, velvet, spun silk, and sheer silk are all available in Shanghai. Printed and embroidered silk are also very popular and plentiful. When shopping silk in Shanghai you can bargain with the sellers.

 

Embroidery and Carpet
In Shanghai, one can find excellent weaving and embroidery in many different styles. Shanghai rugs are finely detailed creations with traditional motifs and designs, and are mainly made by hand with wool. Rugs and carpets of silk are also made in Shanghai. Silk tapestries made in Shanghai are characterized by their smooth feel and traditional Chinese scenes and subjects such as mountains and lakes.

 

Jade and Ivory Carvings
Shanghai jade and ivory carvings are relatively famous throughout China. Jade, a beautiful stone, comes in an array of colors and can be carved in many styles. In Shanghai, popular styles include figurines, birds, beasts, and decorated bottles. In fact, jade bottles are very Chinese and might make an excellent addition to your home's decor.

 

Handicrafts and Collectibles
Among arts and crafts, there are also especially good buys in ceramics, teapots, painted fans, and chopsticks. These are often sold in markets and on the sidewalks by itinerant vendors. Collectibles include Mao buttons, posters of Old Shanghai (covering everything from cigarette advertisements to talcum powder), old Chinese coins, wood carvings, and screens -- all priced lowest at markets and stands. Other popular crafts made in Shanghai are handbags, carpets, lacquer ware, painted snuff bottles, and peasant paintings. Prices vary considerably. The best rule is to find something you truly like, then consider how much it is worth to you.

 

Major Shopping areas in Shanghai
Nanjing Road
As No.1 Commercial Street of china, Nanjing Road has been the premier choice for shopping in Shanghai. It is the first commercial street since sea traffic was started in shanghai; it is enhanced recently by the building of the Nanjing Road pedestrian mall, where modern and traditional modes of retailing commingle. A Large number of hundred odd old shops with different specialties of food and wearing apparel as well as modern commodities stand on both sides of the street. It is a must for tourists.

 

Huahai Road
As a tourism and shopping street Huaihai Road shares a good reputation with the Nanjing Road. Huaihai Road (formerly named Xiafei Road transliteration), has a total length of about 6 km. The most luxuriant and busy part is the shopping street (length 2.2km) from the Shaanxi Road to the Tibet Road. The Huaihai Road has centralized the famous stores such as World Boutique, Printemps, Maisonmode and Huating Isetan. They display varieties of articles with world brand name in a lofty stance, which have made the shopping in Shanghai reach the world-class standard.

 

Naughtiness City
It has tourist souvenir, art ware, indigenous specialties, daily commodities, coins, stamps and magnetic card, where shopping, tourism and business are synthesized in one which is famed for "A bright pearl on the land gate of Shanghai".

Yuyuan Commerce City
It is the "Kingdom of arts and crafts and City District small commodities of Shanghai" from antique, jade ware, gold and silver ornament to bottle-cork and silk thread, everything the customers could wish for can be found here.

Yandang Road Pedestrian Street
It is a branch of Huahai Road and is famous for its romantic French amorous pattern.

Xujiahui
It has "high, middle, low and cheap" commodities and shopping, recreation, catering, office and residence are synthesized in one here.