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Shanghai,
Shopping
Shanghai’s shopping scene befits its economic status and the city boasts probably the best shopping in China – by local standards at least. Refugees from Hong Kong or Singapore are still likely to be disappointed, however, as the retail transformation of Shanghai is incomplete, although this will accelerate now that China is a member of the WTO. It is expected that accession to the WTO will gradually open China’s retail and other economic sectors to international economic norms, as tariffs and other barriers are removed. As changes increase, China’s shops will conform more and more to international standards.
There are still many small antiquated local stores around the city, pending the arrival of the multinational chains. Huaihai Dong Lu, Shanghai’s Fifth Avenue, has a few, although nowadays is predominantly major international stores, with Maison Mode housing outlets for top brands. Parkson and Printemps, on Shanxi Lu, typify the international‐style department stores in the French Concession area. Further out of town, hypermarkets and mega‐malls are sprouting on typically Chinese scale, with Ikea and Carrefour operating huge premises. Ikea is at Harvest Building, 585 Long Hua Lu, while one of the six branches of Carrefour is at 555 Biyun Lu, Pudong New Area.
For tacky tourist memorabilia, nowhere can better the Yuyuan Gardens bazaar. Open daily, from dawn until dusk, the Xiang Yang Fashion and Gift Market, off Huaihai Dong Lu, offers a plethora of fake brands and curios and swarms with touts hawking pirated DVDs and the like. The most uniquely regional ware from Shanghai is the local blue cloth, patterned in blue and white and similar to batik cloth. The Chinese Printed Blue Nankeen Exhibition Hall, at No 24, Lane 637, Changle Lu, is open daily, 0900‐1630, and is the highest quality producer of this. Countless lesser versions are available from all around Yuyuan Bazaar, Maoming Nan Lu, Nanjing Dong Lu and other popular souvenir areas. Silks from Suzhou are also a fine gift – Suzhou itself is obviously the best place to buy these, although Jinguan Silk and Woollen Store, 373 Nanjing Dong Lu, also has some good silks. Good‐quality antiques are available among the huge numbers of cheap stalls in Yuyuan Bazaar, while the government Shanghai Antique and Curio Store, 218 Guangdong Lu, sets a higher standard.
Visitors should note that antiques over 100 years old are marked with a red wax seal and an export licence must be issued in order to take them out of the country
Usual shopping hours in Shanghai are 1000‐2100, although some stores, especially government‐run ones, will close as early as 1800. VAT is charged at 17%, which cannot be reclaimed upon departure.
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