10 Best Things to Buy in Shanghai | Famous Souvenirs to Buy in Shanghai |

Shanghai is China’s largest city and the gateway to the country’s trade. It has a wealth of shops and stores with Nanjing Road being its busiest shopping street with 600 shops! Therefore, if you want something very unique that can fit your style and taste or something expensive to gift someone then you need to follow the given below guide listing the 10 best souvenirs to buy in Shanghai that you might not know about being an outsider. There are three other main shopping streets that are worth visiting: Huaihai Road which has shops stocking all the top-end designer names at great prices, the other two being North Sichuan Road and Middle Tibet Road. There is a great selection of markets too, so souvenir shopping is definitely not a problem! If you are buying from either a street trader or a market stall, a well-humored bargain is expected! Have a look at the top 10 souvenirs to buy in Shanghai:

List of Things to Buy in Shanghai  

1. Silk

As the final starting point for the ancient Silk Road, Shanghai is the best place to buy this valuable fabric. The different quality of silk differs from its price. The silk of all colors and qualities is undoubtedly a beautiful gift from China, where it is still produced in large quantities by government-operated factories. During the manufacturing process, the artisans will select each cocoon and put it in a spinning machine to unfold it and the thin thread will work. Across China, from silk factories to specialty stores, there are many types of fine silk products, including clothes – both Western and Chinese style, shawls, wonderful sheets, and quilts, or you can buy fabric every meter. Prices vary, and everyone can find something to suit their pocket: Y500 for a silk dress or Y90-Y180 per fabric, depending on quality. In local markets, prices are usually negotiable.

Where to Buy: Silk King,  66 East Nanjing Road, and Shi Liu Pu Cloth Market 168 DongMen Road

2. Fabrics

In addition to traditional silk, Shanghai is available in many other fabrics at affordable prices. There are markets dedicated exclusively to fabrics where you can buy fabric to cut or order pieces to be made or even buy ready-made clothes, including traditional cheongsam (Chinese dress).  Out of all the best things to buy in Shanghai the range of fabrics is huge and includes mixed fabrics of silk, linen, cashmere, and various combinations. Shopping at the local market usually comes with hard bargains (highly recommended, especially if you are visiting for the first time) as prices are never fixed but change from day to day (usually higher on weekends and in high season). The price of half silk and half-canvas sold per meter is around Y50. Cashmere is usually more expensive, especially if it comes from Mongolia. A personalized cashmere dress or jumper is available from Y600 to Y900.

Where to Buy:

Shi Liu Pu Cloth Market, 168 DongMen Road, and South Bund Fabric Market,  399 Lu Jia Bang Road

Read more: Famous Aqua Parks in Shanghai 

3. Jade

Jade is China’s national pride, which is mostly seen not just as a stone, but fortunately with a healing power to repel evil spirits (especially a substance that is beneficial to the heart) when worn as a bracelet on your wrist. This is why jade is valued not only as a beautiful piece of jewelry or artwork but also as a fundamental symbol of local culture. Available in three colors: green, white, and purple. Green jade is the most popular and arguably the best type; it is graded by different shades of green – the darker the better. Prices vary consistently, depending on the quality, color, size, and of course, the type of jewelry such famous things to buy in Shanghai is totally worth the price. A typical set of necklaces and earrings can cover everything between Y70 and Y200, but the best quality jade can order up to 30,000 yuan for just one pendant.

Where to Buy: Hongqiao International Pearl City, 3721 Hongmei Road, Shop 2019B, Ma Xiang Hua, 2nd floor and Shanghai Xiuyutang 152 Duolun Road

4. Pearls

China is the world’s largest pearl producer and buying beautiful necklaces and earrings here is much cheaper than anywhere else. There are several types of natural pearls; freshwater is generally of lower quality and much cheaper; those from the sea (the South Sea) are qualitatively higher and later more expensive. The price of these best things to buy in Shanghai is different due to the size, shape, and color of the pearl. Perfectly round beads are harder to find and therefore more expensive. Natural pearls, most commonly in addition to white, are peach, pink, gray, black, and gold. Beautiful black and especially gold beads come only from the sea.

Where to Buy: AP Xinyang Fashion & Gifts Market, underground in the Science and Technology Museum metro station on line 2, 2002 Century Avenue, Hongqiao International Pearl City,  3721 Hongmei Road, and 

5. Chinese Knots

Chinese knotting, also known as the “traditional Chinese ornamental knot,” is an ancient decorative art that dates back to AD. These popular souvenirs to buy in Shanghai are often used as a lucky spell in the bedroom, kitchen, office, or other places. They can also be used to decorate backpacks or rearview mirrors in cars, etc.

Where to Buy: Helen’s shop, 2nd floor, Room B001, Hongqiao International Pearl City, 3721 Hongmei Road

Read more: Famous Monuments of Shanghai

6. Traditional Hair Combs

An eye-catching accessory for a wedding ceremony, or just a graceful article to emphasize women’s beauty and elegance. No more hassle about what to buy in Shanghai? when you have the traditional hair combs. The traditional Chinese hair comb is the perfect tool to draw attention to yourself. Handmade and hand-painted, masterfully crafted natural wooden comb stylish (especially if Retro) garment, easy to wear and reveals its extraordinary taste.

Where To Buy: 64 South Shanxi Road  

7. Tea Sets

The professional tea set is the perfect gift for those who are really passionate about the art, history, and traditions of tea making. This best souvenir to buy from Shanghai contains various elements, especially – one of the most important elements – the bottom table, where holes are connected by a tube, so that the water used for cleaning or making the first tea can easily flow under it. A professional set of the teapot is usually quite expensive or made of ceramic or terracotta. The cups are tiny, and the tea would be poured into it many times so that its smell and taste could be released little by little. Prices vary considerably, from a simple teapot of Y28 to Y10,000 from Chinese clay, also known as purple sand. A whole set of teas can become more professional between Y89 and Y1500.

Where To Buy: 64 South Shanxi Road

8. Ceramics

In addition to silk, ceramics and porcelain have been used by the Chinese for thousands of years. Hand-painted pottery, tiles, and other types of Chinese pottery offer elegant gifts that will definitely be appreciated. These souvenirs to buy in Shanghai are available in a variety of colors, which usually depend on the area where they are made. In fact, many provinces produce ceramics, and they can be found in Shanghai, both from modern designers and dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Pots, tea sets, plates, and cups of all shapes and colors are widely available in many places, from tourist markets to small local shops. The offer is varied: from the holder of the Y10 chopsticks to the Y6 800 separator or even a fashionable Y150,000 butterfly dress with completely handmade porcelain decoration, they can be hung on the wall.

Where to Buy: 220 Taikang Road and 176 Fumin Road

Read more: Best Christmas Markets in Shanghai

9. Fans

A symbol of femininity, the fans were widely used by the concubines during the royal period, both in the hottest hours of the day and as an essential accessory like a piece of jewelry. Today, they are still used in the hot summer months, although not all of them are as finely decorated as they were in the imperial era. Fans are available at different prices, depending on the quality of the material and whether it is handmade. They can be made of silk and painted by hand with typical Chinese natural objects such as birds, landscapes, mountains, lakes, etc. Fans make a nice gift that is especially appreciated during the hot season. The initial price of these top souvenirs to buy in Shanghai is around Y20 but may vary depending on the quality of the material. You can also request a custom one and the craftsman will cater to your specifications properly.

Where to Buy: 140 Jiu Jiao Chang Road

10. Handicrafts

There are fifty-six minority groups in China, each with its own culture and crafts. In Shanghai, you can buy handicrafts from all over the country; the works of Tibet are particularly impressive, but so are the works of the predominantly Muslim population of Xingjian Northwest Province or Guizhou Southwest Province. Local jewelry, traditional shawls, crafty sewing, and paper made from seasonal leaves, used for writing or as lamp covers – these items are very original gifts and vividly show the complexity of today’s Chinese society. These things to buy in Shanghai are surely some of the best takeaways for your loved ones. Colorful scarves, delicately decorated silver bracelets, all the shops selling local handicrafts bring their products directly from the original source, buying them from local artisans. The wide price range gives everyone a chance to find the right gift: from the Y50 to a bracelet, or from the Y60 to a wine glass, all the way to the Y20,000 for a masterfully crafted sewing decoration.

Where to Buy: 411 Wu Kang Road

11. Art Objects

Typical handmade paintings and miniatures featuring birds, towns, and villages, meticulously and meticulously cared for, provide a very classy gift that pays homage to ancient Chinese art. There are galleries in Shanghai that sell paintings by renowned contemporary and ancient artists, as well as smaller galleries showcasing works by smaller painters. In addition to paintings painted on silk and canvas, there are embroidery works that take three to six months to complete (as opposed to standard paintings, which usually take a month). This is one of the famous souvenirs to buy in Shanghai that your mother is definitely going to love. If you want, you can bring a picture of your own and the artists will copy it into a painting. In a small showroom of local artists, prices can range from Y30 to Y1500, depending on the size and quality of the material used. Landscaping is kept at the top of the list, so there are countless canvases with spectacular views of hills and mountains, as well as surreal lakes and rivers that come from all over China.

Where to Buy: Duoyun Xuan Art Shop, 422 East Nanjing Road

Read more: Famous Monuments in China

Hope you enjoyed the article and got the idea about what to buy in Shanghai? According to different tastes or varied budget boundaries, Shanghai is definitely the ‘The Pearl of Asia’ and you can find tonnes of creative options to impress your loved ones through the lovely souvenirs to buy from Shanghai, China. But if you still face any trouble while shopping in this awe-inspiring city just ping us in the comment sections below we will try our best! In fact, you can also book a bunch of interesting rides from our travel website or book from our latest Adequate travel application available exclusively on PlayStore. Enjoy your rides and ‘let your memory be your travel bag’.

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