Shopping in Shanghai: What to Buy in Shanghai & Top Shopping Spots

Written by Wendy Mo | Updated April 29,2026

Shopping in Shanghai can be a really pleasant experience. Whether you’re looking for ultra-modern luxury or traditional Chinese handicrafts, Shanghai has everything for you. If you want to go on a “binge shopping” in Shanghai, here’s a guide for you to catch up with the best things to buy in Shanghai and the most popular shopping areas.

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• What to Buy in Shanghai: The Best Souvenirs & Local Goods
• Top Shanghai Shopping Streets
• Best Shopping Malls in Shanghai
• Essential Tips for Shopping in Shanghai
• Plan Your Shanghai Tour with China Xian Tour
• FAQs about Shopping in Shanghai

What to Buy in Shanghai: The Best Souvenirs & Local Goods

1. Cheongsam (Qipao)

Qipao is one of the most delicate souvenirs you can get when shopping in Shanghai. In literary or film works depicting this old-Shanghai’s life, Cheongsam always shows up like an elegant mark. In Shanghai, each customized Qipao will be precisely made to carry a part of Shanghai’s memory and its culture. They are tailored to be fitted and being able to show the owner’s unique soul.

Many of the Cheongsam that you see today are reformed styles. So it’s both traditional and attached with modern elements.

• Average cost: depends on the fabric and design you choose. Customized ones are more expensive, varying from hundreds to tens of thousands (RMB).
• Where to buy: Changle Road (长乐路), Maoming Road (茂名路)
• Pro tips:

1. Qipao made of silk with embroidery can be really expensive.
2. If you want customized ones, allow days or even weeks for making.
3. Each pattern, like flowers and birds, has its meaning. Ask the tailor and pick the one you like.

2. Tailored Suits

Except for Qipao, tailored suits are also one of the most favored Shanghai souvenirs. Shanghai people have a long history of wearing tailored suits. It would be a meaningful gift to someone who’s stepping into a new stage of life, and you can even add some traditional Chinese elements to the suit to make it one of a kind.

• Average cost: still depends on the fabric, design, and which shop you choose. Generally, a basic set of all-wool customized suits only costs RMB 1000-3000/ USD 150-450.
• Where to buy: Old Shanghai Tailors Street (老上海裁缝街) or South Bund Soft Spinning Market (南外滩轻纺面料市场)
• Pro tips:

1. Plan your time wisely. Normally, customized service takes 1 month; some shops would offer express service (2–3 days). For best-quality tailoring, you’d better skip rush orders and stick with standard timing and use international shipping (extra fee applies).
2. Clarify your requirements. Tell the tailor which occasion you would need it: daily, workplace, weeding or others.

3. Electronics & Gadgets

Shanghai also offers a great opportunity for you to get cost-efficient electronics and gadgets. There are flagship stores for various renowned electronics brands (DJI, Xiaomi, Shokz, Anker) and also large markets for retail small commodities or distribution centers mainly for mobile phone services. Here, you can find all kinds of electronic devices you want.

• Average cost: based on what you want and where you go. Some popular devices like the DJI Pocket 3 costs RMB 2799/ USD 409 (standalone), and the Anker Prime Power Bank costs RMB 369/ USD 54 (9600 mAh)
• Where to buy: Flagship stores. For cheaper offers, go to Cybermarket (上海电子市场), Da’ao Communications Mall (大奥通讯商城) or Metro City (美罗城). If you have a Chinese number, use the JD (京东) online store, which has the best offers.
• Pro tips:

1. Always bargain for the price when shopping in markets.
2. Some stores (not the flagship ones) may not sell the genuine article. Check the products and the services carefully.

4. Silk Scarves & Quilts

Silk scarves are a really iconic souvenir choice. The most delicate ones are usually hand-made with embroidery and hand-painted patterns, serving as a perfect gift to both your friends and family members. It is also a very “Chinese” piece of art, especially considering China’s long history with silk. Famous local brands selling silk scarves and quilts, including Shanghai Story (上海故事) and Seilsli (万事利).

• Average cost: RMB 50-800
• Where to buy: Tianzifang (田子坊), Huasheng Street (华盛街)
• Pro tips:

1. If buying products that are worn next to the skin, find those with the “18401-2010 B类” mark on the labels.
2. The best and most authentic silk articles are always marked as 100% Silk (100% 桑蚕丝)

5. Chinese Tea

You can find various types of Chinese teas in Shanghai’s tea streets and gardens that you may have never seen in the past. If you’re a tea lover, don’t miss Longjing (龙井), Biluochun (碧螺春), and Tieguanying (铁观音). The renowned production areas for these teas are all relatively close to Shanghai.

• Average cost: RMB 100 – 1000/tea cox
• Where to buy: Tea City, Streets like Jinqiao International Tea City (金桥国际茶城), and some local brands like Zhangyiyuan (张一元)
• Pro tips:

1. Some stores may inflate their prices, especially those in tea streets. Always bargain the price and see the measuring unit clearly. If not sure, go to the renowned branded shops for a safer and more stable price.
2. Always make a purchase after tasting the flavor.

6. Yixing Teapots

Yixing (a city in Jiangsu) is the birthplace of the world-renowned purple clay teapot. This city is quite near Shanghai, and you can find a lot of Shanghai teapot shops selling it. It is believed that Chinese tea is best brewed with Chinese clay teapots. You can give both local tea and tea sets as gifts.

• Average cost: Hand-made ones are usually 500-3000 RMB. Normal ones can be cheaper.
• Where to buy: Purple Clay Home (紫砂之家) or Yuejiyao (月记窑)
• Pro tips: The high cost of Yixing tea ware is primarily due to the labor involved in its manual craftsmanship. Many collectors would go for the pieces made by a master, but that’s not necessary for travelers. But also don’t choose the unnaturally cheap pots as they might be fake.

7. Hand-painted Fans

Hand-painted Fans are traditional Chinese crafts, particularly famous in places like Shanghai. They are often delicately hand-made with wood/bamboo and silk, which also gives the fans a unique fragrance. It’s a beautiful and culturally-significant keepsake, the technique of fan-making also boasts a long history.

• Average cost: It varies. From hundreds to thousands depends on the crafts.
• Where to buy: Zhishanzhimei Museum (制扇至美博物馆) in Yuyuan Bazaar
• Pro tips:

1. Check the price carefully and always make sure the label is intact and clearly marked.
2. Be really careful about the packaging.

8. White Rabbit Creamy Candy

This candy is called an “imprint of an age”. It has left traces in basically all Chinese people’s childhoods. Its creamy and rich milk flavor, frankly speaking, is not that special. However, the nostalgic feeling that this candy arouses has made it a timeless treat.

• Average cost: RMB 8.8-18
• Where to buy: Nanjing Road White Rabbit-themed shop.
• Pro tips:

1. If you only want to taste the original flavor, you can find it in almost every convenience store.
2. The themed-shop has more flavors of the sweet and related products, including other snacks featuring the flavor of White Rabbit candy, such as ice cream.

9. Palmier (Butterfly Cracker)

Shanghai is one of the first cities in China to be influenced by Western culture. Palmier also arrived with those influences at an early time. It has soon become Shanghai’s most popular pastry ever since then, and the most famous store, Park Hotel, the birthplace of Shanghai’s Butterfly Cracker, still has a perpetual line.

• Average cost: RMB 25-35/200g
• Where to buy: Park Hotel (国际饭店)
• Pro tips:

1. There is always a long queue outside the Park Hotel, in peak time, it can take 3 hours to wait. Arriving early on weekdays can be better.
2. Other pastries in the shop are also worth trying.

10. Snowflake Cream

Snowflake Cream also carries an old memory of the Shanghai people. It’s soothing and moisturizing, with a highly distinctive retro packaging. It was once a local skincare product imported from overseas, and soon became the a something that every family had. Although now it’s no longer as popular as before, it is still deeply rooted in Shanghai and widely purchased as an iconic souvenir.

• Average cost: RMB 3-25 per box, varies by size.
• Where to buy: Fuyou Road (福佑路), Fuyoumen Department Store (福佑门商厦)
• Pro tips:

1. The most recommended brands are: Classic 1906 “Twin Sisters” Snowflake Cream (经典1906古茚姊妹花雪花膏) and Zhuowenhou(卓文后).
2. The cream is really soothing, but first, place a little bit on only a small area of your skin to avoid any severe allergy.

More Souvenirs beyond Those Listed Above

Except for the souvenirs listed above, there are still many articles that you can buy in Shanghai, such as those cultural and creative products sold in the Museum and Gallery and pork mooncakes from Guangmingcun (光明邨). These are all unique choices that tell Shanghai’s stories. Whether you’re keeping them yourself or giving them out to friends and family, they’ll all be warm-hearted and meaningful.

Tip: Most of the handmade souvenirs mentioned above usually come with nice gift boxes or original packaging. If you plan to buy them as gifts, you can ask the shop to include the box or provide gift wrapping in advance.

Top Shanghai Shopping Streets

Nanjing Road

Nanjing Road is a must-visit in Shanghai, whether you want to go shopping or not. And it’s often called “the First Commercial Street of China.” There are western-style architecture housing some of Shanghai’s oldest malls, so, except for shopping, you can also explore history and local culture here. Besides, new trendy brands can also be seen everywhere. So if you’re going to explore Shanghai’s shopping culture, this is the place to start.

• Location: Huangpu District, connecting the Bund.
• Nearest Metro Station: Nanjing East Road Station and Renmin Square Station
• Best for: first-time visitors, anyone interested in Shanghai’s classic and modern retail scene.

Tips:

1. Nanjing Road normally refers to Nanjing East Road. Most of the shops here are time-honored pastry and food brands, toy shops (Pop Mart, Top Toy), and clothes stores. Nanjing West Road is lined with a greater number of luxury boutiques, and it’s home to Shanghai’s most high-end commercial districts.
2. Some local clothes markets (non-branded) allow bargaining.
3. If time allows, take the sightseeing bus traveling across the street (8:00 am-10:30 pm).

Huaihai Road

Huaihai Road is a more locally preferred choice. It has three sections, West, Middle, and East, and it is the Middle Huaihai Road gets wider attention. The street is lined with Old Shanghai-style architecture and Western-style mansions, alongside vast stretches of plane trees. And there are also large shopping malls, trendy cafes, restaurants, designers stores selling cultural and creative products. Here, you can read Shanghai’s memory in a quieter and more local environment.

• Location: Huangpu District, stretching towards Renmin Square
• Nearest Metro Station: Middle Huaihai Road Station
• Best for: fashion lovers, people looking for more refined, local-style shopping
• Tips:

1. The entire Huaihai Road (not just the middle part) is worth visiting. Both daytime and nighttime scenes are recommended.
2. Compared to Nanjing East Road, shopping on Middle Huaihai Road is much more expensive.

Yuyuan Garden Commerce City

Yuyuan Garden Commerce City is located next to Yuyuan Garden and City God Temple. So if you’ve planned a visit to these two attractions during the day, don’t forget to visit Yuyuan Garden Commerce City at night. You can find a wide variety of snack stalls and souvenir shops here, some of which even sell antiques or gold and silver ornaments. The whole area is designed to resemble a street from ancient times, so it’s also a good sightseeing place.

• Location: Huangpu District, near the Bund
• Nearest Metro Station: Yuyuan Garden Station
• Best for: traditional culture, souvenirs, local snacks, and classic Chinese-style architecture
• Tips:

1. The area combines shopping with sightseeing, best visited at night when lanterns are lit up.
2. If you want to try local food, go for the time-honoured brands but not the “food city”. They don’t have authentic flavor, and the price is exaggerated.
3. For the best photos, avoid the peak time (17:30-20:30).

Best Shopping Malls in Shanghai

Shanghai No. 1 Department Store

Shanghai No. 1 Department Store is also known as “China’s First Department Store”. It was the first state-owned department store enterprise established following the founding of the People’s Republic of China. After all these years, it now offers a comprehensive blend of shopping, dining, and cultural experiences. You can find everything here, but most importantly, its unique historical significance and the meaning it holds for locals are unmatched by any other shopping mall.

• Location: No. 830 Nanjing East Road, Shanghai (Northeast corner of Middle Xizang Road)
• Nearest Metro Station: Renmin Square Station
• Best for: budget-friendly shopping, local brands, and a convenient stop in the city center
• Tips: It’s less flashy than nearby malls, but more practical and affordable.

Shanghai Huanmao IAPM Mall

Shanghai Huanmaol IAPM Mall is widely recommended as one of the most customer-friendly malls, for its wide range of commercial activities. It has different internationally renowned luxury brands and rising designer brands. The interior design is young and fashionable, with excellent facilities. It’s a real paradise for shopping lovers who are expecting to splurge for a night.

• Location: Huaihai Middle Road – South Shaanxi Road Commercial District, Puxi, Shanghai
• Nearest Metro Station: South Shaanxi Road Station
• Best for: luxury shopping, international designer brands, upscale dining, and a premium mall experience in Shanghai

Shanghai IFC Mall

Shanghai IFC Mall will first attract you with its exterior design that is both elegant and powerful. It is quite near the Bund, which perfectly forms a sightseeing and shopping route. Here you can find designer brands, luxury brands, highly-commented local restaurants, and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. No matter what you’re looking for, IFC Mall always has it for you.

• Location: No. 8 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area
• Nearest Metro Station: Lujiazui Station
• Best for: high-end shoppers, fashion enthusiasts, and visitors looking to combine luxury retail with skyline views near the Bund

Essential Tips for Shopping in Shanghai

• Bargaining is allowed in many local markets and some small stores. For example, in Yuyuan Commerce City, many sellers will quote higher prices, so feel free to negotiate for a more reasonable deal.
• The primary payment methods in Shanghai are WeChat Pay and Alipay. Major shopping malls may accept foreign credit cards, but that’s not the case in most other places. Cash can also be an option, but be sure you’ve exchanged enough currency in advance.
• Shanghai is one of the most English-friendly cities in China. You can see English signs everywhere, and a lot of people can speak English. However, still prepare a translation app.
• Some countries’ customs regulations have strict restrictions on importing items like tea and jewellery, etc. Check this information before you purchase such valuable products.

Plan Your Shanghai Tour with China Xian Tour

Shopping in Shanghai can be a really pleasant experience; however, our intention is never to force you to spend. Our local guides are also not allowed to take guests to stores for commissions. That said, if shopping in Shanghai is something you’d like to explore, China Xian Tour is happy to recommend authentic local products and shopping streets that can truly make your journey more memorable.

If you’re looking for unique and fashionable souvenirs on your Shanghai tour, our professional local guide will tailor suggestions to match your interests. All we expect is to help you to shop smart, not touristy.

FAQs about Shopping in Shanghai

Can I use a physical Visa card? Is it widely accepted?

Yes, you can use it, but be mindful of where to use it. Visa cards are accepted in most major malls, hotels, and larger stores. However, smaller shops and local vendors may only accept mobile payments like Alipay or WeChat Pay and cash. So don’t solely rely on it.

How does a tax refund work? Is there a fee?

Eligible international visitors can get a VAT refund of up to 11%, but a ~2% service fee is deducted in Shanghai, so the actual refund is usually around 9%.

Basic requirements:

• Spend at least RMB 500 in the same store on the same day
• Leave China within 90 days
• Stay in China for less than 183 days
• No extra fee is needed