Shanghai gathers the best stuff from all over China and is always the first stop for international brands moving into the Middle Kingdom. If you’ve just stumbled off the plane, get your shopping bearings with our guide to the city’s famous shopping streets, markets and boutiques. You’ll find everything you want at prices you’ll love.

Famous Names

Nanjing Dong Lu and Huaihai Zhong Lu have been Shanghai’s most famous shopping streets since the ’30s. Nanjing Dong Lu, between The Bund and People’s Square, is a pedestrian street where you can find the city’s historic department stores and time-honored brands. Drop by No. 1 Department Store and San Yang Dry Grocery Store to take a look at what a typical Shanghainese family eat and wear. The street also has Shanghai’s most established jade store, Duo Yun Xuan. This is the place to pick up authentic jade ornaments. Huaihai Zhong Lu is more stylish and trendy and features names you’ll immediately recognize–H&M, ZARA, Gap and even Barbie is here.

Shanghai Style

You can get name brand stuff anywhere in the world, so instead seek out some of Shanghai’s independent designers and boutiques. Many cluster around Changle Lu, Xinle Lu and Nanchang Lu. One big trend is Chinese vintage style. Neng Mao Store stocks garments and toys. Shanghai Code sells old-school spectacles. Culture Matters does cheap and authentic Feiyue and Warrior sneakers. For those who want to check out local designers, La Vie and Helen Lee are two musts. Concept store Younik is the place to find pieces from some of Shanghai’s top young designers. Streetwear is also big. If you want to pick up a T-shirt with local flavor, The Thing, Shirt Flag and eno are the best bets.

Every visitor inevitably gravitates to the renovated lanes of Xintiandi. While it’s mostly restaurants and bars now, it’s also a pit stop to shop for chinoiserie. Some of Xintiandi’s can’t-miss boutiques include: Shanghai Tang for new takes on your typical qipao, Zen Lifestore for hand-painted ceramics and Simply Life for decor and ornaments.

Souvenirs Galore

Whether you’re in Shanghai for a week or a decade, there are certain things every foreigner must buy. Porcelain, jades, Mao memorabilia and antiques top the list.

For inspiration, swing by the old town and the most famous souvenir market, called Chenghuang Miao by locals. If you have a thing for bling, hit touristy Fuyou Lu to find the best jewellers in town: Shanghai First Asia Jewelry and Laomian Gold. Chinese medicine aficionados can check out Tong Han Chun Tang, the most reputable Chinese medicine and prescription provider in Shanghai, though the staff don’t speak much English. Turn to Fumin Jie for a kaleidoscope of accessories and feng shui ornaments. Chinese-style wallets, coin purses, chopsticks and table mats are all easy-to-carry souvenirs and most of them are under RMB20 a set.

If antiques are on your list, the Dongtai Lu market (near Ji’an Lu) is the place to go. Although the antiques there are hardly real, it’s still worth a trip to grab some knock-off Mao pins, military hats, army bags and revolutionary porcelain statues. Tea-drinkers can’t miss Tianshan Tea City, where you can find all kinds of loose-leaf tea, teabags and tea sets.

One tip for market-goers: never feel guilty about bargaining. A rule of thumb is this: whatever price the seller quotes, it’s probably worth less than half that.

Clothing and Tailors

The Qipu Lu market is the place for brand-name knock-offs. Quality varies, but it’s fine if you’re looking for bargains. The place is huge, so focus on Xing Wang International Garment City. The other two major clothing markets are Taobao Market and A.P. Xinyang Fashion & Gift Market. Of course it’s buyer beware at these places.

If you’re looking to have the perfect Mao suit made, try roaming the South Bund area for rolls of fabric and inexpensive tailoring. The two main markets are Shanghai South Bund Fabric Market and Dongmen Lu Fabric Market. The average price for a shirt there is RMB90 and suits go from RMB500-2,500. Remember to take your preferred styles as the markets lack creativity in terms of design.

Higher-end tailoring services can be found on Maoming Nan Lu between Changle Lu and Huaihai Zhong Lu. Here a tailored suit starts around RMB2,500. If you’re a bit lost, start from Times Tailor and keep going south towards Nanchang Lu. That block of Maoming Nan Lu is famed for qipao tailor stores such as Jin Zhi Yu Ye. For those staying in Shanghai more than a month, a pair of tailor-made shoes is a great gift for yourself. Prices start from around RMB1,000 for men and RMB700 for women. Nanchang Lu is a renowned shoe tailor street. Check out Stanley Law and Ben Zhou Hand Made Shoes. Jack Peng on Wulumuqi Nan Lu is another go-to shoe tailor for foreigners in Shanghai.