Shanghai offers everything from international luxury to local designer finds to incredible supermarket deals. This shopping-focused itinerary covers the city’s best retail areas and hidden gems.
📅 Last Updated: January 2026 (verified on location)
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|
| Top Shopping Streets | Nanjing Road, Huaihai Road, Xintiandi |
| Sale Seasons | Chinese New Year, June 18, November 11 |
| Tax Refund | Purchases over ¥200 |
| Payment | Alipay/WeChat Pay recommended |
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Nanjing East Road
| Time | Location | Activity |
|---|
| 9:00 AM | Nanjing East Road Station | Metro Lines 2/10 |
| 9:30 AM | Shimao Plaza | Nike flagship, M&M’s World |
| 11:00 AM | New World Daimaru | Cosmetics shopping |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch | Nanjing Road area |
Afternoon (1:00 - 6:00 PM): Huaihai Road → Xintiandi
| Time | Location | Activity |
|---|
| 1:00 PM | Nanjing West Road | Luxury boutiques |
| 1:30 PM | Travel to Huaihai Road | Metro Line 1 |
| 1:45 PM | IAPM Mall | Premium shopping |
| 3:15 PM | Huaihai Road walk | 400+ stores |
| 4:00 PM | Walk to Xintiandi | 15 minutes |
| 4:15 PM | Xintiandi Style | Chinese designer brands |
| 5:45 PM | Cafe break | Historic shikumen building |
Evening (6:00 - 10:00 PM)
| Time | Location | Activity |
|---|
| 6:15 PM | Xintiandi dinner | Various restaurants |
| 7:45 PM | RT-Mart (optional) | Local supermarket treasures |
| 9:00 PM | Return to hotel | Shops close at 10 PM |
1. Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (南京路步行街)
| Info | Details |
|---|
| Length | ~10 km total |
| Character | China’s #1 commercial street |
| Stores | 100+ heritage Chinese brands + modern malls |
Recommended Malls:
| Mall | Highlight | Must-Visit |
|---|
| Shimao Plaza | Nike global flagship | Nike, M&M’s, Sephora |
| New World Daimaru | Competitive cosmetics prices | All cosmetic brands |
💡 Pro Tip: New World Daimaru has some of the best cosmetics prices in Shanghai!
2. Huaihai Road (淮海路)
| Info | Details |
|---|
| Length | ~5 km |
| Character | Luxury + fast fashion |
| Stores | 400+ brands |
Recommended Malls:
| Mall | Features | Best For |
|---|
| IAPM Mall | Premium shopping | Luxury, IMAX |
| K11 | Art + retail fusion | Gallery + shopping |
3. Xintiandi (新天地)
| Info | Details |
|---|
| Character | Restored shikumen buildings |
| Brands | Chinese designers + luxury |
| Vibe | Trendy, upscale |
Designer Highlights:
| Brand | Type | Notes |
|---|
| Uma Wang | Fashion | Leading Chinese designer |
| Ban Xiaoxue | Fashion | Emerging designer |
| Harry Winston | Jewelry | World’s largest salon |
Tianzifang (田子坊)
| Info | Details |
|---|
| Character | Artist village |
| Best For | Crafts, souvenirs, cafes |
| Metro | Line 9, Dapuqiao Station |
RT-Mart Supermarket (大润发)
| Info | Details |
|---|
| Character | Viral local supermarket |
| Best For | Snacks, specialty liquor, local goods |
| Location | Pingxingguan Road (Metro Line 1) |
Popular Items:
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|
| Three Squirrels macadamia | Half price | Nuts brand |
| Guolifang fruit liquor | 15-23% ABV | Unique local alcohol |
| China-exclusive snacks | Various | Oreo flavors, Lay’s, etc. |
| Info | Details |
|---|
| Minimum | ¥200 purchase |
| Refund Rate | ~11% |
| Eligible Stores | ”Tax Refund” signage |
| Process | Purchase → Get form → Airport refund |
💡 Pro Tip: Request tax refund documents at large purchases—you’ll need them at the airport.
Payment Guide
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Alipay | Works everywhere | Setup required |
| WeChat Pay | Works everywhere | Setup required |
| Foreign cards | Easy for tax refund | 1-3% fees |
| Cash | Always accepted | Need to get yuan |
Budget Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|
| Transport | ¥20-30 |
| Food | ¥150-300 |
| Shopping | Personal (¥500-5,000+) |
| Total (excl. shopping) | ¥200-350 |
Practical Tips
| Tip | Details |
|---|
| International brands | Many Korean/Japanese beauty brands available |
| Payment | Transactions under ¥200 often fee-free |
| Receipts | Keep for tax refund |
What to Avoid
| Avoid | Why |
|---|
| Street counterfeit goods | Illegal, no quality guarantee |
| Aggressive touts | Common near tourist areas |
| Unlicensed money exchange | Scam risk |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the duty-free shops?
CDF Duty-Free has downtown locations, but airport duty-free is often cheaper.
Do I need cash?
99% of transactions work via mobile payment. Small cash amounts (¥100) useful for edge cases.
Should I keep receipts?
Yes—for tax refund on purchases over ¥200!
This guide was last updated in January 2026. Store hours and prices may vary.
