Shopping in Shanghai

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Shanghai, the Paris of the Orient, is a shopper's paradise for everyone from shopaholics to casual bargain-hunters. In the world of fashion, Shanghai is best known for Shanghai Fashion Week, The Shanghai International Costume Cultural Festival, and The China International Wedding Attire Exhibition, but you don't have to be a fashionista to enjoy window-shopping in Shanghai's numerous malls shopping streets.

Shopping areas in Shanghai are sometimes referred to as the ''Four Streets and Four Cities''. One of the major streets isNanjing Road (East Nanjing Road & West Nanjing Road), said to be the No.1 commercial street in China. All types of shops, both ancient and modern, are clustered around the road, and it's lost none of its appeal over the years to Shanghai's shoppers. Those looking for elegance and flair will want to check out Huaihai Road, where you can get top fashion designs from all around the world; those on a budget, on the other hand, may want to check out North Sichuan Road where you'll find inexpensive clothes. They may not be name-brands, but add a few striking accessories and you'll still be dressed to kill for an evening on the town!

Yuyuan Shopping City, Xujiahui Shopping City, New Shanghai Shopping City and Jiali Sleepless City are the buzzing "Four Cities" of Shanghai. If you're in search of Chinese goods such as curios, antiques, jadeware, silver, gold or other craftwork, it is best to start at Yuyuan Shopping City. It's also the best place to get the textiles and embroidery, the silk, and the Jiading yellow-grass weaving for which Shanghai is noted. Xujiahui, a recently opened shopping and entertainment plaza, is built on a grand scale, but if you're determined you can find some really good deals. Older shopping centers like New Shanghai Shopping City are one-stop malls that cater to all your basic shopping needs.