1. shopping streets...

In my opinion there are two main shopping streets in Shanghai (the must-see city along Yangtze River where you can have Yangtze River tour). There is Huai Hai road, where one can find almost anything from books, nice lace bra's, shoes to suits etc. This street seemed to me have a lots of brand shops and the prices were quite high compared to other streets.

The other "main" shopping road is most probably Nanjing Lu, which leaves from the Bund and is kilometres long. There you can find shopping malls after shopping malls and also Mc Donalds in every 100 metres (almost!).

Between Nanjing Lu and Huai Hai road is Shanxi road south, there you can find smaller shops selling mostly clothes and shoes. But if you are not in the area, do not bother, but it is worth a promenade if you're around.

But like in every city, it will be cheaper if you wander away from the mainstreets and look for shops in different areas. The road names I just gave are just few shopping streets in Shanghai but perhaps the most popular ones?

2. ARCHIVED: Xiang Yang Lu Flea Market

LATEST: This flea market has CLOSED PERMANENTLY as part of China's effort to stem out copyright infringements. It's now HISTORY.

This is a very popular flea market that is open both day and night. Popular with locals and tourists who come here for your affordable China travel packages. This is the place to be to hunt for fake goods (especially fake Mont Blanc pens) and pirated CDs, VCDs and DVDs. If you like fake couture, this is one place to be. It is open air though many stalls have canopies to shield shoppers from sun and rain and the flea market is like a maze with its labyrinth of stalls among many alley ways. There are also food stalls interspaced between stalls selling all kind of goods from arts and crafts, souvenirs, antiques etc etc.

What to pay: BARGAIN IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY.
Indication: You can get about 20 fake Mont Blanc pens for about US$7.

3. freshwater pearls

there are plenty small shops selling pearls near Yuyuan garden (must-see attraction in Shanghai for your affordable China travel packages), they all look practically the same..but i would advise you to find that shop and ask for Jin Yu Qin, because our small but greedy for pearls group bought really a lot of all kind of necklaces, earrings, bracelets..sure you could get good discount, just ask her if she remembers a man with his 5 wifes...sure she will remember..:)

What to buy: China is known for its good prices on pearls. Prices range, depending on size, length of necklace, and quality. Negotiations are a must

What to pay: prices starts from 200 usd for a long necklace, but you can easily get it for half this price...and many small nice gifts for free

4. Dong Jia Du Fabric Market: fake Chanel, silk and more silk

it's fabric market, biggest in Shanghai. you can find there traditional chinese costumes, dresses (but you need to gave good eyes to catch really nice good quality stuff among fake designers clothes), all kind of silk, if you are planning to make home decoration..this place is a must ! silk is of incredible beauty, even if you dont need it...you will certainly bye some thinking..it will surely have some usage later...
and the best thing, if you allow local taylors take your measures...they will make for you in 48 hours the dress you want, you can choose silk itself also design...and SUPER BONUS they will deliver it at your hotel, no problem. i asked for a nice red colored dress, and the only problem i had to face...it was cold when i had to take some clothes off...to let take my measures.

What to pay: really nice chinese traditional dress only for 25 USD

Tags: top 10 China tours