Shanghai has always been a shoppers paradise continuing on from its traditional heritage of offering the best of the east and the latest from the west. It’s a theme that very much persists today.

The Top Shopping Areas and Shopping Streets

Something you’ll notice about Chinese urban planning is that they love to cluster things conceptually and it makes a lot of sense. You can find clusters of malls, stores, specific specialty stores right through to leisure and dining areas.

Nanjing Road 

One of the world’s most famous shopping streets and an area you shouldn’t miss simply for its historic significance. There are several malls located on the western section towards Yanan Xilu (Yanan West Road) and in the eastern section towards the Bund you’ll find the famous pedestrian street, many famous local specialty shops, fashion brands and a bustling atmosphere.

Metro: People’s Square Station on Subway Line 1, 2 and 8 and walk east OR Nanjing East Station and walk west.

City God Temple Bazaar & Yu Garden

A popular attraction in Shanghai, Yu Garden is surrounded by shopping streets. Here is the place to find curios and souvenirs along with experiencing some famous local snacks. Very much a tourist area.

Address: 269 Middle Fangbang Road/238 Fuyou Road

Xintiandi

A new and hip shopping area, set in amongst the traditional Shikumen style architecture. It’s a relaxed place that exudes affluence, you can wine, dine, relax and shop.

Metro: South Huang Pi Road Station on Line 1 OR Xintiandi Station on Line 10

Tianzifang

Set among narrow laneways of the old French Quarter, once residential houses converted into a commercial shopping area. Arts, crafts, tourist souvenirs, cafes and more.

Address: Lane 210, Taikang Road, Luwan District

Metro: Dapuqiao Station (Exit 1) on Line 9

Shanghai Old Street

Located very near to Yu Garden and Temple of God, the street offers up local specialties products with many of the buildings featuring traditional Chinese architecture.

Address: Fangbang Middle Road (between Renmin Road – Henan Road)

Metro: Yu Garden Station on Line 10

Lujiazui Pudong Commercial Zone

The area features some of the new Shanghai’s iconic buildings such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jinmao Tower, World Financial Center and International Convention Center. For shopping, you won’t want to miss the massive Super Brand Mall and the Shanghai IFC Mall. Nearby in Pudong, there is also Thumb Plaza, Printemps, Life Hub Jinqiao, Nextage Department Store, Plaza 96 and Asia Pacific Plaza.

Metro: Lujiazui Station on Line 2

Middle Huaihai Road Commercial Zone

You’ll find many designer stores here and upmarket fashions on this beautifully classic street. It’s a long street and the shopping runs for almost six kilometers! The new IAPM mall is a popular starting point, nearby is Parkson and City Shop.

Address – Huaihai Road from Middle Xizang Road to Shaanxi Road

Metro: South Shaanxi Road Station.

Xujiahui Commercial Zone

Several malls here including Grand Gateway, Metro City, Pacific Department Store, TaipingYang Suma Plaza and Huijin Department Store. This is probably the place you’ll want to check out if you’re looking for electronics, cameras, gadgets or mobile phones.

Metro: Xujiahui Station on Line 1

Zhongshan Park Commercial Zone

Cloud Nine is the major mall here, popular for its mid-level pricing with brands such as H&M, Esprit, Nike, Adidas and more.

Metro: Zhongshan Park Station on line 2, 3 and 4

Fuzhou Road Cultural Street

Featuring traditional Chinese style architecture and stores packed with books, Chinese memorabilia, curios and such.

Address: Fuzhou Road, Huangpu District

Metro: People’s Square Station

Qibao Old Street

Qibao Old Town features Hui style architecture and a river running through its center. It’s a great escape from the modernity of Shanghai. In Qibao Old Street there are many shops selling snacks, gifts, traditional crafts, calligraphy, and paintings.

Address: Qibao Old Town

Metro: Qiabao Station on Line 9

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The Top Shopping Malls

Most malls in Shanghai are open from 10 am to 10 pm. Shanghai has a lot of malls so here are my pick of the best and most interesting. Something you’ll notice about malls in China is that they are much more than just shopping, they offer public spaces, entertainment options, mid-price to high-end dining all of which makes them a goto destination for meeting friends, relaxation, and leisure time.

Shanghai IFC Mall

High-end shopping mall with shopping, dining, and leisure.

Address: 8 Century Avenue, Pudong, Shanghai

Metro: Lujiazui Station on Line 2 – Exit 6

IAPM

High-end luxury brands, dining, and leisure. Home of the first Gucci Cafe.

Address: 999 Huaihai Zhong Road, Xuhui District

Global Harbor

A new addition to Shanghai and one of the largest. Featuring a rooftop garden, European architecture, cinema, dining, and more.

Address: Jinshajiang Road, Putuo District (near Zhongshan North Road)

Orient Shopping Centre

One of the city’s original high-end malls.

Address: Oriental Commercial Building, No. 8 Tunxi North Road, Xuhui District

Super Brand Mall

Massive – 13 floors featuring over 70 restaurants and cafes for you to choose from when you need a break from shopping. More

Address: 168, Lujiazui Xi Road, Pudong, Shanghai

Metro: Lujiazui Station on line 2

HKRI Taikoo Hui

Impressive new mall, featuring over 250 brands, and loads of eateries. It’s also home to Starbucks Reserve Roastery which is their largest store in Asia and a worthy destination in itself.

Address: 789 Nanjing West Road

Metro: take line 2, 12, or 13 to Nanjing West Road Station.

K11

K11 (also in Hong Kong and Guangzhou) has a core focus of integrating the three elements of art, humanity, and nature into the shopping experience which has proved to be popular.

Address: 300 Huaihai Middle Road, Huangpu District

Grand Gateway

A very popular mall with mid-range prices.

Address: No.1 Hong Qiao Road, Xujiahui, Shanghai

Metro: Xujiahui Station on line 9

Shanghai Joy City

Located in the trendy Jing’an area this mall features a ferris wheel on its roof.

Address: 166 Tibet North Road, Jing’an District

Metro: Lines 8 and 12 to Qufu Road Station

Plaza 66

Luxury high-end mall with fashion, jewelry, dining.

Address: 1266 Nanjing West Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai

Metro: Nan Jing Xi Road Station on line 2, or Jing An Temple Station on line 2 or 7

Jiu Guang Department Store

Another high-end luxury mall.

Address: 1618 West Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Metro: Jing’an Temple Station

China Resources Times Square

Luxury high-end brands.

Address: No 500 Zhangyang Road, Pudong

Metro: Shangcheng Road Station on line 9 exit 1

Isetan Shanghai

Isetan is a Japanese-owned department store located inside Westgate Mall.

Address: No.1038 West Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Metro: Nanjing Road Station on line 2

Shanghai Times Square

Over 100 shops and restaurants, many luxury brand names.

Address: 99 Middle Huaihai Road, Shanghai

Metro: Dashijie station on line 8

Citic Square

Many luxury brands.

Address: No. 1168, Nanjing West Road, Shanghai

Metro: West Nanjing Road Station on line 2

Hong Kong Plaza

Luxury brands and eateries.

Address: 282 Mid-Huaihai Road

Metro: South Huang Pi Road Station on line 1 exit 2

If you have limited time in Shanghai airport, check Shanghai shopping layover tour on our website.