Shanghai
Shopping Shanghai 5 min read
Nanjing Road & the art of bargaining
The neon spine from the Bund to Jing'an, plus the markets where the real game is the discount, not the price.
Two faces of one road
Nanjing Road runs from the Bund to Jing'an Temple — the east end is pedestrian, neon and touristy; the west end is malls and locals. The real shopping is in between.
The markets
For souvenirs and the bargaining game, head to the AP Plaza near Nanjing Road East. The asking price is fiction; the fun is the negotiation.
How to bargain
- Start at 30% of the asking price
- Smile, walk away twice — you'll usually meet around 40%
- Cash only; bring small bills
What to buy where
- Malls (Plaza 66, IFC): real branded goods, fixed prices, cards accepted
- Markets: souvenirs, tea, silk, pearls — not electronics or 'brand' goods
Locals' Tip
Start at 30% of the asking price in a market and walk away twice — you'll usually meet the seller at around 40%.
Locals' Crowd