Jingan Xiaoting, a new fashion market has launched near Jingan Temple just as the long hot summer is about to begin.

Nearly a year ago, crowds jammed into the famous, but narrow, "Huating Lu" rushing to purchase things they needed, or didn't, just because of the big tempting discount before the Huating Market closed. The "New Huating" opened just before the old one closed, offering the same fare, but not the same atmosphere. The prices, the quality of the merchandise, and the mini-shops just didn't seem to have the same old flare at the new market on Xiangyang Lu.

Now, there's another "New Huating". More commonly known as Jingan Xiaoting, the new market on Yuyuan Lu just behind Jingan Temple is in its soft opening stages, but judging from shoppers' comments, Jingan Xiaoting offers better quality goods at better prices when compared with Xiangyang Lu (it's also easier to pronounce).

One Jingan Xiaoting merchant revealed the secret behind "the other new Huating". "Xiangyang Lu is going to be knocked down next year," says shoe salesman Zhang Jianhua. Zhang and his partners have shops in both Xiangyang Lu and Jingan Xiaoting and have just revealed their new collection of summer footwear featuring sandals from Prada, Gucci, and Versace.

In another stall, Ms. Liu creates her own trendy designs from fabrics she gets from Ralph Lauren. "The other new Huating" boasts a few stalls with budding fashion designers. Ms. Liu says she chose this location because "the rent was cheap and the place had potential".

Jingan Xiaoting also has potential as the next bargain hunters heaven with great prices on linen shirts (Y50-120), Capri trousers (Y30-80), and name brand shoes (Y50-150). They also offer lots of waimao clothes, clothes originally for export only, which means a good selection of larger sizes.

The highlight of this summer, however, is the flashy, bright-colored shirts, shorts, and capris indicative of Hawaiian fashion. Check out these places at Jingan Xiaoting for some eye-catching (if you're into bright, bright colors) gear: