Shanghai’s
shopping scene befits its economic status and the city
has possibly the best shopping in China – by local standards
at least. Refugees from Hong Kong or Singapore may still be disappointed,
however, as the retail transformation of Shanghai is not yet complete,
although this will move faster now that China is a member of the
WTO. It is anticipated that accession to the WTO will slowly open
China’s retail and other economic sectors to international
norms, as tariffs and other obstacles are removed. As changes accelerate,
China’s shops will conform more and more to international
standards.
There are still plenty of small antiquated local shops dotted around
the city, awaiting the arrival of the multinational chains. Huaihai
Dong Lu, Shanghai’s Fifth Avenue, has a few, although
nowadays is mostly major international stores, with Maison
Mode housing outlets for top brands. Parkson
and Printemps, on Shanxi Lu, are typical of the
international-style department stores in the French Concession area.
Further outside town, hypermarkets and mega-malls are popping up
on typically Chinese scale, with Ikea and Carrefour
opening huge premises. Ikea is at Harvest Building, 585 Long Hua
Lu, while 1 of the 6 branches of Carrefour is located at 555 Biyun
Lu, Pudong New Area.
For tacky tourist memorabilia, no place is better than Yuyuan
Gardens bazaar. Open everyday, from dawn until dusk, the
Xiang Yang Fashion and Gift Market,
off Huaihai Dong Lu, offers a wide variety of fake brands and curios
and is teeming with touts offering pirated DVDs and alike. The most
uniquely regional ware from Shanghai is the local blue cloth, with
blue and white patterns and is similar to batik cloth.
The Chinese Printed Blue Nankeen Exhibition Hall,
at No 24, Lane 637, Changle Lu, is open everyday, 09:00-16:30, and
is the highest quality producer of this. Countless minor versions
are offered from all around Yuyuan Bazaar, Maoming Nan Lu, Nanjing
Dong Lu and other well liked souvenir areas. Silks
from Suzhou are also a great gift – Suzhou
itself is obviously the best location to buy these, although Jinguan
Silk and Woollen Store, 373 Nanjing Dong Lu, also has some
fine silks. Good-quality antiques are sold at the many cheap stalls
in Yuyuan Bazaar, while the government Shanghai Antique
and Curio Store, 218 Guangdong Lu, offers a higher
standard.
Visitors should be aware that antiques more than 100 years old are
marked with a red wax seal and an export licence must be obtained
before taking them out of the country
Normal shopping hours in Shanghai are 10:00-21:00,
although some stores, particularly government-run ones, close as
early as 18:00. VAT is charged at 17%,
which cannot be reclaimed. |
