Antiques & Furniture
The markets and bazaars are a primary source of antiques, collectibles, and Chinese furniture and furnishings, as are some hotel shops; but there are also several private antiques stores worth checking out. Most of the warehouses are situated in west Shanghai's Changning District, near the Hongqiao Airport (no Metro). If you plan to make a day of shopping, ask your hotel concierge to haggle with the taxi driver over a price for the trip. A half-day of shopping should cost no more than ¥250.
Books
The Foreign Language Bookstore offers the widest range of English-language material, but hotel kiosks and shops also have decent English-language guides to Shanghai attractions and books about China. The Confucius Temple Book Market (Gushu Shichang), held every Sunday from 8am to 4pm at Wenmiao Lu 215 (east of Zhonghua Lu), traffics in secondhand and vintage books, including some foreign-language volumes.
Cameras & Film
These days, one can purchase all the standard big brand digital cameras and accessories in Shanghai, especially in the big malls like Grand Gateway Plaza in Xujiahui; prices are comparable to those in the West, perhaps slightly higher depending on the brand. Analog cameras and film are considerably more difficult to find these days. Some of the same department stores may still have a few or check in the specialty camera markets. Those looking for ancient Russian swing-lens cameras can sometimes find them in the Fuyou Antique Market.
Carpets
Check over carpets carefully, with an eye to faded colors. Colors should be bright and the threads fine. A 1.8m*2.4m (6 ft.*8 ft.) silk carpet, tightly woven (300-400 stitches per in.), can cost ¥50,000 or more.
Clothing
A number of shops along Changle Lu and Maoming Lu sell ready-made qipaos (mandarin-collar dresses with high slits), Tang jackets, and other traditional Chinese-style clothing, and can also tailor the same.
Department Stores
Shanghai has a large number of new, Western-style department stores that have almost completely replaced the traditional (but shoddy) Chinese versions. Most of them are joint ventures with overseas retailing chains.
Modern Art
The Chinese contemporary art scene has been thriving in Shanghai in the last few years, with galleries and showrooms cropping up all over town. Though contemporary Chinese artists are increasingly gaining more international recognition, they are still relatively unknown and their works often sell below international prices, making them potential investments for those so inclined -- and many tourists are increasingly inclined. The St. Regis Hotel has taken to offering "art tours" for their guests who are interested in visiting local galleries. Otherwise, Tianzifang on Taikang Lu in the southern part of the French Concession (Luwan District), Moganshan Lu 50 just south of the Suzhou Creek in the northern part of town (Putuo District), and the Shanghai Sculpture Space at Huaihai Xi Lu 570 are home to a series of industrial warehouses that have been converted to galleries and artists' studios, and are a must-visit if you like modern art and photography. Various former warehouses and factories along Suzhou Creek are also being converted into galleries such as Creek Art at Guangfu Lu 423. The area around the Bund (Swatch Art Peace Hotel) and Yuanmingyuan Lu (fronted by the new Rockbund Art Museum) should also yield a slew of new galleries and studios. Check the local English-language magazines for listings.
Shoes
Both fashionable and casual shoes can be found easily around town, although men's shoes in larger sizes (42 and up) are a considerably rarer find. For women, many small shops along Shaanxi Lu, Changle Lu, and Xinle Lu can yield some inexpensive and fun finds if you can spare the time to browse.
Shopping Malls & Plazas
Shanghai has plenty of mammoth shopping plazas (consisting of scores of independent brand-name and designer-label outlets selling international merchandise under one roof), particularly along Huaihai Zhong Lu and at Xujiahui. Several other locations around town are also being converted to high-end lifestyle shopping and entertainment complexes, such as 1933 (1933 Lao Chang Fang; www.1933-shanghai.com) in Hongkou, on the grounds of a former abattoir, a stunning building well worth seeing.
Silk, Fabrics & Tailors
The South Bund Fabric Market is the best place to shop for a variety of inexpensive fabrics, though you'd have to bargain hard; tailors here also generally do yeoman's work in churning out suits, dresses, and other garments.
Supermarkets
Shanghai's hotels might have a small shop with some Western snacks and bottled water, or a deli stand, but for a broad range of familiar groceries, try one of the large-scale supermarkets listed here. There is also a well-stocked Park 'n Shop in the basement of Parkson's.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
