Home » Sunday » City Scene
Exploring cool specialty markets
By Yang Di and Wang Zhiyu |
July 25, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SHANGHAI'S bustling markets are a must-see for visitors because they breathe local culture and customs. There's a word in Shanghai dialect "shi hui," meaning economical. Shanghainese are known for their obsession with bargains, especially for high-quality goods at affordable prices. Prudent purchase is widely applauded; extravagant expenditure is often frowned upon. Thrifty, shrewd and cheap are other words that famously describe Shanghainese shoppers and sellers.
Locals come from miles around to pick up a bargain or two from the daily markets selling clothes, food, crafts and a mixture of many items. Specialty markets abound.
Shopping, markets and bargaining are a way of life. Strolling and browsing are a good way to experience local life and soak up the atmosphere. Goods are usually a fraction of their usual price and bargaining is expected.
For whatever you want, Shanghai just might have the specialty market for you.
Many vendors are multilingual when it comes to business, so communication is seldom a problem. Some are fluent in English as practice does make perfect.
If you're looking for bargains, just browsing or looking for fun, markets are the place. If you have a good eye or want some cool stuff in this hot and steamy weather, don't miss the three markets we have picked out for you.
Xiandai Electronics City buzzes
This buzzing electronic mall has everything you want at cheap prices, as long as it's electronic. Cell phones, iPods, DVD players, cameras, TVs -- you name it, they have it. It specializes in a large variety of second-hand products that are mostly out of production. You might just run into your childhood love, like a Walkman. Cables, plugs, adaptors and all kinds of accessories are available. Remote controls can also be repaired or replaced. The environment is not the most pleasant -- it's messy and noisy -- but prices are incredibly low if you know how to negotiate. If you're determined, you can go home with a cheap, top-notch product. When you go hunting, always keep an eye out for quality.
Opening hours: 10am-5:45pm
Address: 218 Xiangyang Rd S.
Tel: 6466-8615
Neon Kids Plaza glows with fun
It can be overwhelming to find all the things kids need, and the many more things they want. New clothes, gear, gadgets and toys are always in demand, especially before school starts. Going from store to store is exhausting, but there's a one-stop shop at the corner of Pu'an and Jinling roads -- Neon Kids Plaza is a large underground market selling all kinds of kids' products at cheaper prices. There are hundreds of individual shops selling clothing, shoes, toys, accessories, stationery and books. Some are export knock-offs with minor imperfections but the low prices make it worthwhile. T-shirts are priced from 10 yuan (US$1.47) and school bags start at around 30 yuan. They may not be big brands, but many are cute and trendy. Toys are everywhere and there are established brands such as Lego, Toys "R" Us, Barbie, Disney Toy Story, Hello Kitty, My Little Pony and Littlest Pet Shop. Bargaining is appropriate but prices are pretty much what's quoted. Kids love visiting as it's like being in an Alice's Wonderland.
Opening hours: 9:30am-8pm
Address: 10 Pu'an Rd
Tel: 5383-6218
Flower and Bird Market charms
Vendors in Shanghai like to gather under the same roof and sell the same things, preferring that to general goods markets. The Flower and Bird Market on Xizang Road S. (opposite Dongtai Road) sells singing and fighting crickets; birds that sing, talk, or are simply gorgeous to look at; fish and aquarium equipment; and flowers and plants of all kinds. Visitors can buy hamsters and other rodents, as well as rabbits and other small animals. This is cricket fighting season and strong aggressive crickets are highly valued. People commonly cluster around, avidly discussing crickets and birds. Before Chinese Lunar New Year, families flock to the market to buy auspicious plants. Strolling around gives you a window on culture.
Opening hours: 9am-5pm
Address: 405 Xizang Rd S.
Tel: 6336-3530
Locals come from miles around to pick up a bargain or two from the daily markets selling clothes, food, crafts and a mixture of many items. Specialty markets abound.
Shopping, markets and bargaining are a way of life. Strolling and browsing are a good way to experience local life and soak up the atmosphere. Goods are usually a fraction of their usual price and bargaining is expected.
For whatever you want, Shanghai just might have the specialty market for you.
Many vendors are multilingual when it comes to business, so communication is seldom a problem. Some are fluent in English as practice does make perfect.
If you're looking for bargains, just browsing or looking for fun, markets are the place. If you have a good eye or want some cool stuff in this hot and steamy weather, don't miss the three markets we have picked out for you.
Xiandai Electronics City buzzes
This buzzing electronic mall has everything you want at cheap prices, as long as it's electronic. Cell phones, iPods, DVD players, cameras, TVs -- you name it, they have it. It specializes in a large variety of second-hand products that are mostly out of production. You might just run into your childhood love, like a Walkman. Cables, plugs, adaptors and all kinds of accessories are available. Remote controls can also be repaired or replaced. The environment is not the most pleasant -- it's messy and noisy -- but prices are incredibly low if you know how to negotiate. If you're determined, you can go home with a cheap, top-notch product. When you go hunting, always keep an eye out for quality.
Opening hours: 10am-5:45pm
Address: 218 Xiangyang Rd S.
Tel: 6466-8615
Neon Kids Plaza glows with fun
It can be overwhelming to find all the things kids need, and the many more things they want. New clothes, gear, gadgets and toys are always in demand, especially before school starts. Going from store to store is exhausting, but there's a one-stop shop at the corner of Pu'an and Jinling roads -- Neon Kids Plaza is a large underground market selling all kinds of kids' products at cheaper prices. There are hundreds of individual shops selling clothing, shoes, toys, accessories, stationery and books. Some are export knock-offs with minor imperfections but the low prices make it worthwhile. T-shirts are priced from 10 yuan (US$1.47) and school bags start at around 30 yuan. They may not be big brands, but many are cute and trendy. Toys are everywhere and there are established brands such as Lego, Toys "R" Us, Barbie, Disney Toy Story, Hello Kitty, My Little Pony and Littlest Pet Shop. Bargaining is appropriate but prices are pretty much what's quoted. Kids love visiting as it's like being in an Alice's Wonderland.
Opening hours: 9:30am-8pm
Address: 10 Pu'an Rd
Tel: 5383-6218
Flower and Bird Market charms
Vendors in Shanghai like to gather under the same roof and sell the same things, preferring that to general goods markets. The Flower and Bird Market on Xizang Road S. (opposite Dongtai Road) sells singing and fighting crickets; birds that sing, talk, or are simply gorgeous to look at; fish and aquarium equipment; and flowers and plants of all kinds. Visitors can buy hamsters and other rodents, as well as rabbits and other small animals. This is cricket fighting season and strong aggressive crickets are highly valued. People commonly cluster around, avidly discussing crickets and birds. Before Chinese Lunar New Year, families flock to the market to buy auspicious plants. Strolling around gives you a window on culture.
Opening hours: 9am-5pm
Address: 405 Xizang Rd S.
Tel: 6336-3530
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