When coming to Shanghai, many people are dazzled by the city’s abundant shopping options. From the ever-bustling department stores on Nanjing Road to the quiet designer shops beneath the zelkova trees, the city has something to satisfy every imagination of “shopping”.
In this article, we will introduce how different types of people can enjoy shopping in Shanghai and where to go from the perspective of local friends, and help you find your own way to enjoy shopping.
Recommended Shanghai shopping routes
If you are coming to Shanghai for the first time or have a tight schedule, you should first focus on the most classic and core spots. These places are indeed more touristy, but they are the fastest way to understand the commercial atmosphere of Shanghai. Also, if you look carefully, you can find many interesting shops.
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
Nanjing Road, known as “China’s first commercial street”, is a symbol of Shanghai’s commerce. At night, the neon lights glow, and the gorgeous scenery still overwhelms people.
Many people tend to think of this as a tourist destination, but if you know what to look around, you can fully enjoy it.
MINISO Global Flagship Store
This store is the world’s first “IP theme park-type” flagship store and has three floors. It feels more like a small theme park than just a store.
With a wide range of cute IP goods, it’s perfect for finding affordable souvenirs and small items for yourself.
| Recommended stores | MINISO Global Flagship Store (MINISOLAND) |
|---|---|
| address | Huangpu District Nanjing East Road U479 Shopping Center |
| access | Get off at Line 2 or 10 at East Nanjing Road Station, or get off at Line 1/2/8 at People’s Square Station and walk |
| business hours | 10:00 – 23:30 |
| Recommended purchases | Collaboration goods from Disney, Sanrio, Harry Potter, etc. (plush toys, stationery, household goods) |
| Price range | CNY 10 to 100 (as of September 2025) |
| Features of the store | The world’s first “IP theme park type” flagship store. It is spread over three floors and has a wide variety of cute IP goods. Perfect for finding affordable souvenirs and accessories. You can check in advance on the official website: https://www.miniso.cn/shop/image.html |
Shanghai No. 1 Food Store
To be honest, if you want to buy traditional Shanghai sweets, this is the most convenient place, and you can buy them in bulk at once. The first floor is usually mainly bulk sweets and side dishes, while the second floor and above are lined with assorted gifts.
Locals also visit to buy side dishes, so it has a very sense of life. You can also refer to the popular posts of Xiaohongshu.
Shanghai Huaihai Middle Road
If Nanjing Road is a bustling and glamorous symbol, Huaihai Middle Road exudes innate elegance and sophistication. The iconic French plane trees line the streets, creating a variety of beautiful scenery throughout the year.
Compared with Nanjing Road, I personally like to take a leisurely stroll here and feel the atmosphere of Shanghai’s “old clerks” (old-fashioned Shanghainese who value quality of life and hobbies).
Harbin Food Factory
This is a long-established restaurant where locals are willing to queue up, the ingredients of the dim sum are solid, the milk flavor is strong, it is definitely worth trying.
| Recommended stores | Harbin Food Factory(Harbin Food Factory) |
|---|---|
| address | No. 464, Huaihai Middle Road, Huangpu District |
| access | Get off at Metro Line 1 and 13 “Huaihai Middle Road Station” or get off at “Shaanxi South Road Station” on Line 1/12/13 and walk |
| business hours | Normally 10:00 – 22:00 (pre-confirmation recommended) |
| Recommended purchases | Almond cake (my favorite!) ), chiffon cake, western butter pie (butterfly pie) |
| Price range | 40-80 RMB |
Buying about half a loaf (about 250g) of almond cake and eating it while walking is one of the authentic styles of enjoying the Huaihai Road.
MUJI Shanghai 755 Flagship Store
It is one of the largest flagship stores in mainland China, spanning three floors and featuring the entire MUJI product lineup, MUJI BOOKS bookstore, Café & Meal MUJI restaurant, and workshops where you can customize your original embroidery.
It’s a store that symbolizes the sophisticated and detail-oriented side of Huaihai Road, and it’s worth taking your time to explore. You can check the official website for details.
Basic information of MUJI Shanghai 755 flagship store
| Recommended stores | MUJI Shanghai 755 Flagship Store (MUJI) |
|---|---|
| address | No. 755, Huaihai Middle Road, Huangpu District |
| access | Get off at Line 13 “Huaihai Middle Road Station” or Line 1/10/12 at “Shaanxi South Road Station” and walk |
| business hours | 10:00 – 22:00 |
| Recommended purchases | MUJI to GO Travel Goods, Stationery, Snacks (Annual Ring Cake is Excellent!) ), original embroidery service |
| Price range | RMB 50-500 |
Yu Garden/City God Temple Area
When you step here, you will feel like you have traveled back in time to old Shanghai. If you want to buy Chinese souvenirs, this is the place to be.
If you want to buy pear paste candy or five-spice beans, use the sign of the “Old City God Temple” as a landmark. When buying in a small store, if there is no clear price display, you can try to negotiate the price politely, but please take it easy and enjoy the “fun of shopping”.
Basic information about the Castle God Temple area
| Recommended stores and areas | Yu Garden/City God Temple Area |
|---|---|
| address | No. 249, Fangbin Middle Road, Huangpu District |
| access | Get off at Yuyuan Station on Metro Line 10 and 14 |
| business hours | Usually 10:00 – 21:00 (small shops in the area may close early) |
| Recommended purchases | White Rabbit Milk Candy, Pear Paste Sugar, Snowflake Paste, Five-Spice Beans, Silk Products, Craft Chopsticks, Tea Utensils, Traditional Crafts |
| Price range | 20-150 RMB |
Shanghai Street Brand Street
If you’re not interested in common brands and want to know what young people and designers in Shanghai are paying attention to, you should definitely visit the following spots. There are no large commercial facilities here, and surprises and unique tastes await you under the rows of zelkova trees.
Shanghai trend origin: Anfu Road
This is a former French concession, with lush trees lining both sides of the street and many unique shops dotted around.
Anfu Road is particularly important, with many select shops, designer brands, and popular cafes, making it a great starting point for experiencing Shanghai’s “City Walk” culture.
Summer Garden
Guanxia is a brand specializing in oriental plant fragrances, and the exterior of this flagship store itself is like a landscape, and the interior is built like a space of oriental aesthetics, which is a very excellent experience.
The scent is luxurious and storytelling, making it a great high-quality and sophisticated souvenir.
Basic information about Kansummer Garden
| Recommended stores | To Summer |
|---|---|
| address | No. 111, Hunan Road, Xuhui District |
| access | Get off at Metro Line 10 “Shanghai Library Station” and walk |
| business hours | Reservations required for the official mini-program, usually 10:00 – 20:00 |
| How to make a reservation | Search for the official mini-program of “Summer Viewing” on WeChat and book the admission time online in advance |
| Recommended purchases | Crystal aroma (Kunlun boiled snow, study tea smoke), aroma candle, oriental philosophical perfume |
| Price range | 300-800 RMB |
LOOKNOW & Flow
The Jellycat plush toys in this store may be the most extensive selection in Shanghai. In particular, the stuffed toy staircase on the second floor is a must-visit photo spot, and both adults and children will be captivated by its cuteness. The store is packed with plush toys, making it a space where you can enjoy just picking them up and playing with them and taking photos.
In addition, seasonal and collaboration products are also available regularly, so there is something new to discover every time you visit. It is also perfect for choosing souvenirs and gifts, making it a must-see spot in Shanghai for Jellycat fans.
LOOKNOW & Flow Basics
| Recommended stores | Select shops in the Anfu Road area |
|---|---|
| address | No. 156, Anfu Road, Xuhui District |
| access | Get off at Changshu Road Station on Metro Line 1 and 7, or get off at Shanghai Library Station on Line 10 and walk |
| business hours | The opening hours of the independent shop are uncertain, it is recommended to check the map app in advance, usually 10:00 – 21:00 |
| Recommended purchases | Jellycat Plush |
| Price range | RMB 150-600 |
Multi-catch Circulation Store
This may be one of the coolest “treasure shops” on Anfu Road. It is a very famous second-hand circulation shop, from books to clothing, everything is carefully sorted and maintained.
The fun of wandering around the store is like a treasure hunt, and you never know what surprises you might find in the next moment. Buying used books and one-of-a-kind vintage clothing is not only a unique Shanghai souvenir, but also environmentally friendly and fashionable.
Basic information of the multi-catch fish circulation store
| Recommended stores | Duo Zhu Yu |
|---|---|
| address | No. 300 Anfu Road, Xuhui District |
| access | Get off at Changshu Road Station on Metro Line 1 and 7, or get off at Shanghai Library Station on Line 10 and walk |
| business hours | Normal: 11:00 – 21:00 (pre-confirmation recommended) |
| Recommended purchases | Cultural and creative products such as second-hand books (especially foreign books and design-related books), vintage clothing, and brand-made canvas totes |
| Price range | 30-800 RMB |
Shanghai Luxury Shopping Guide
If you’re on a budget and looking for top brands and luxury experiences, this area is the perfect place for you. It’s dotted with shopping malls with high-end brands, and the design of the buildings themselves and the spaces inside the stores are of world-class quality.
It is characterized by a comprehensive luxury experience, including not only shopping, but also the beauty of the architecture and interior, as well as the meticulousness of customer service.
There are also many seasonal limited collections and special events, so there is something new to discover every time you visit. Through high-end shopping, you will be able to experience the sophisticated urban culture unique to Shanghai.
IFC Mall
IFC Mall is located in Lujiazui’s financial district and is one of Pudong’s top shopping landmarks. When you enjoy shopping here, you can see the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower outside the window, allowing you to feel the most modern and international side of Shanghai.
Basic information of the National Finance Center
| Recommended stores | IFC Mall |
|---|---|
| address | No. 8 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area |
| access | Get off at Lujiazui Station on Metro Line 2 |
| business hours | 10:00 – 22:00 |
| brand | Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and other first-class luxury brands |
Bailian Outlet Plaza
If you want to buy branded items at a great price, it is worth visiting here. Although it is a bit far from the city center (direct access to metro line 17 is recommended), it has a wide variety of brands and high discounts. It can be said that it is a spot worth visiting.
Before you go, you can use Tripadvisor’s https://cn.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g308272-d3631330-Reviews-Bailian_Outlets_Plaza-Shanghai.html reviews to help.
| Recommended stores | Bailian Outlet Plaza |
|---|---|
| address | No. 5555, Jiasong Middle Road, Qingpu District |
| access | Get off at Metro Line 17 “Jiasong Middle Road Station” |
| business hours | 10:00 – 21:00 |
| brand | Brand outlets such as Coach, Michael Kors, Nike and more |
Shanghai Tailor-made Fashion Shop
If you really want to get a one-of-a-kind “Shanghai souvenir”, we definitely recommend the custom-made clothing experience. In Shanghai, there are many custom clothing stores with skilled tailors, from fabric selection to design and size adjustments, all to suit your preferences. The appeal is that you can experience the fit, texture, and attention to detail that cannot be experienced in ready-made products.
In addition, many stores blend traditional techniques with contemporary design, giving you a sense of Shanghai’s unique culture and aesthetics. It is highly valued as a special piece for yourself or as a gift for your loved ones, allowing you to enjoy the atmosphere of Shanghai with memories every time you wear it. The custom-made experience itself is an exciting process of taking measurements and choosing fabrics in the store, and it will be more than just shopping.
South Bund Textile Market
This place is always mentioned in many foreign traveler’s guides, and there are more than a hundred small fabric and tailor shops crowded in one building. I brought some foreign friends here and they were all surprised that they could order clothes that were perfect for them at such an affordable price.
There are so many stores in the market that there are differences in quality. Therefore, it is recommended to visit multiple stores to touch the fabric and consult with the store owner.
TripAdvisor（https://cn.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g308272-d1927351-Reviews-South_Bund_Soft_Spinning_Material_Market-Shanghai.html）
It is safe to check reputable stores in advance. It is necessary to negotiate the price, but more importantly, it is important to communicate your wishes (size, design details, date and time of receipt).
Basic Information of South Bund Textile Market
| Recommended stores | South Bund Fabric Market |
|---|---|
| address | No. 399, Lujiabang Road, Huangpu District |
| access | Get off at Nampo Daegyo Station on Subway Line 4 |
| business hours | Normally 10:00 – 18:00 (pre-confirmation recommended) |
| Recommended purchases | Custom-made cheongsam, suit, coat, shirt |
| Price range | ¥500 to ¥5000 or more (depending on fabric and tailoring) |
At last
When coming to Shanghai, many people are dazzled by the city’s abundant shopping options. From the ever-bustling department stores on Nanjing Road to the quiet designer shops beneath the zelkova trees, the city has something to satisfy every imagination of “shopping”.
In this article, we will introduce how different types of people can enjoy shopping in Shanghai and where to go from the perspective of local friends, and help you find your own way to enjoy shopping.