Xintiandi Shopping and Restaurants
Shopping in Shanghai is a mixed bag. Big spenders will be appeased by the big names on Nanjing Road such as Cartier, Hermes, Prada and Gucci. Others might prefer to shop 'til they drop at the more special...
Shopping in Shanghai is a mixed bag. Big spenders will be appeased by the big names on Nanjing Road such as Cartier, Hermes, Prada and Gucci. Others might prefer to shop 'til they drop at the more specialized and often locally owned shops in Xintiandi. My advice, particularly if you are headed to Hong Kong as part of your trip, is to avoid shopping on Nanjing Road. High-end imported luxury goods are heavily taxed upon reaching China. Prices found in Shanghai are therefore much higher than the duty free prices in Hong Kong.
Xintiandi provides a fantastic area to explore, eat great food and browse special shops stocked full of beautiful high end products. The following are a few of my favorites:
Simply Life – This large 2 story store on the outside of the Xintiandi development carries a wide array of stunning porcelain pieces, including an interesting selection of Chinese bone porcelain. They also carry ultra modern cool furniture, great lamps, unusual glassware and other useful and fun kitchen items. Two storefronts down from Simply Life is Simply Thai, owned by the same company. This delicious restaurant is well worth a visit when in Xintiandi.
Address: South Block No. 5, 123 Xing Ye Rd; Tel: 21 6387 5100
Address: South Block No. 5, 123 Xing Ye Rd; Tel: 21 6387 5100
Xavier – This privately owned, one of a kind store, carries everything from beautiful clothing and scarves to hats, furniture and jewelry. What is particularly special about this store is that all of the clothing comes in a vast array of sizes, a noteworthy option in a city full of generally tiny women.
Address: Unit 2, No. 15, 181 Taicang Road, Tel: 21 6328 7111
Shanghai Trio – This small, yet lovely store carries alternative and modern Chinese accessories made from truly unique fabrics. From purses and computer bags, to duvets and children’s bathrobes – all of the items are so creative and special here that I'd honestly love to buy just about everything. Perfect for gifts.
Address: Lane 181 Taicang Rd. (close to Huangpi Rd.) Tel: 21 6355 2974
Wander around the entire development, and you are guaranteed to discover more specialty shops owned by local Shanghai residents. Keep an eye out for shops such as Shanghai Tang and a small indoor “mall” that offers other upscale and unique chains. Xintiandi is a shopping experience not to be missed.
All of the shops stay open late – most until 10 or 11pm. I recommend first eating dinner at one of the fantastic restaurants in the area early and shopping afterwards. Making a late reservation and shopping before dinner also works. Shikumen Bistro, T8, or Kabb come highly recommended for a meal.
For a quick culture and history lesson try the Museum of the First National Congress of the Communist Party on Huangpi Road.
Visit Xintiandi’s website
How to get there: Xintiandi is set two blocks south of HuaiHai Rd between Madong Rd and Huangpi Rd. Take Metro Line 1 to Huangpi Rd Station. Head south for two blocks on Huangpi Rd. Xintiandi will be on the right.
City SuperMarket
City SuperMarket is an international foods grocery at the base of a department store on Huai Hai Road. This branch is a larger version of the perhaps more well known (but smaller) location at the Portman Ritz Carlton complex on Nanjing Road. I prefer this branch of City SuperMarket for a few reasons. This locale is a much larger space, so while it has a bigger selection, it also does not feel as claustrophobic as the branch at the Portman. The larger space also means that it is much easier to find and see less visible products, as they are not stacked on top of each other. I also think the prices are better at this location.
I like the produce, deli products, and meats that are offered here. Western cuts of pork, great fresh salmon, well chosen veggies (although not a huge selection), and a pretty generous selection of imported cheeses and salamis help me feel at home. City SuperMarket also boasts an enormous selection of western dry goods: countless cereals, crackers, cookies, and other snacks. The fresh bread selection is small, but varied and reliably tasty. We love the pita (from HaYa’s Mediterranean Cuisine) and whole wheat bread. The candy selection is mouth-watering for those longing for a sweet treat from back home. I can actually find “Red Vines” here, a candy I have only ever seen on the west coast of the United States.
Prices here are certainly higher than those of a Chinese grocer, but that is to be expected when intending to buy American, Swiss or French products in China. The prices are not out of control in the grand scheme of things. There are quite a few items that I find completely worth paying an extra 10-20RMB for here than I would in the States. For example, good, hearty, crackers that might cost $2 in the States may cost $3.50 here. Still, I make up the difference by purchasing fresh cherry tomatoes which cost about a quarter of what they do at Whole Foods in America. Pick a few items that are simply craving, and spoil yourself with a little taste of home in China!
How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Rd. Station. From the subway follow signs for the Hong Kong New World Department Store and take the escalators up one level. The supermarket is hidden behind the second level of escalators near the Watson’s Pharmacy.
The Other Location of City SuperMarket:
Shanghai Center, No.1376 Nanjing Xilu, Shanghai
+86 (0)21 6279 8018
Parkson Department Store & Supermarket
Parkson is a large and very popular department store on HuaiHai Road. It also includes a supermarket in the basement. Parkson’s is a perfect option for those looking to purchase both western and Chinese products in one location. Set up like a western grocery, the aisles are ea...
Parkson is a large and very popular department store on HuaiHai Road. It also includes a supermarket in the basement. Parkson’s is a perfect option for those looking to purchase both western and Chinese products in one location. Set up like a western grocery, the aisles are easy to navigate and offers a surprisingly diverse array of western products alongside typical Chinese items. Parkson and City Supermarket are right across the street from each other. With this convenience in mind I often start my grocery shopping at Parkson for the more affordable selection of Chinese and Western products. I then take the underground subway tunnel to City Supermarket to peruse the slightly more expensive, yet otherwise difficult to find foreign goods sold there.
Parkson does carry a small selection of produce and fresh meat as well.
Security guards do not let customers enter the main area of the grocery store with any type of bag except a purse. There are lockers at the entrance, but they are not large.
Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Rd. Station. Follow signs for the Parkson subway exit.
Garden Books
This café and bookstore is a fantastic addition to Shanghai’s foreign community. The café’s highlights include gelato (Italian ice cream), Illy coffee, and a quiet seating area to work or chat in if you need it.
The book selection, however, is ...
This café and bookstore is a fantastic addition to Shanghai’s foreign community. The café’s highlights include gelato (Italian ice cream), Illy coffee, and a quiet seating area to work or chat in if you need it.
The book selection, however, is what truly makes Garden Books quite special. The collection is small, yet varied with mystery novels, non-fiction titles, and Chinese themed cultural novels. The selection will satisfy both tourists and locals seeking some new pleasure reading. In addition Garden Books also features an excellent selection of Chinese learning materials. I found a great ’Intro to Chinese’ book that has made learning Chinese far less overwhelming for me.
Garden Books also contains a considerable collection of cookbooks, art and interior design books. Many titles are courtesy of the publisher Phaidon, whose beautifully designed books on a number of topics from art history to fashion make perfect gifts. The section of books on Shanghai is naturally quite helpful as well (and also makes great holiday gifts). My particular favorites are the Shanghai Architectural Guide and the small photograph book with pictures of old and new Shanghai placed side by side (only 68 RMB!).
In an effort to support the environment, no plastic or paper bags are given with your purchase. The option of buying a cloth tote bag for 10 RMB is far more useful anyway!
Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Rd Station. Exit onto Shanxi Rd and head north for two blocks to Changle Rd. Take a left on Changle Rd. Garden Books is about 50 meters down the street.
