Where to Shop in Shanghai: Top Malls & Trendy Streets

Where to Shop in Shanghai: Top Malls & Trendy Streets

10 min read

Discover the best shopping in Shanghai—from luxury malls to stylish local streets. Explore must-visit spots in Shanghai.

When it comes to modern and stylish shopping experiences, Shanghai easily claims the top spot in China. From world-renowned luxury brands to independent designer labels, from quirky gadgets to everyday home goods, Shanghai offers a shopping paradise without ever needing to leave the country.

The city's metro system is the most efficient way to explore its many retail districts—especially the prime shopping stretch from Nanjing Road to Jing’an Temple and Huaihai Road. Line 2 conveniently connects Nanjing East Road Station, Nanjing West Road Station, and Jing’an Temple Station, linking the historic and contemporary faces of Nanjing Road. Across the Huangpu River, Lujiazui also boasts a growing number of upscale malls and shopping hotspots.

Seasonal transitions, holidays, and store anniversaries are all excellent times to visit, as most malls offer impressive discounts during these periods.

Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street | China’s No.1 Shopping Street

Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s oldest commercial street and was once famously known as the “Ten-Mile Foreign Strip” before 1949. When people refer to Nanjing Road today, they usually mean Nanjing East Road , which stretches from the Bund in the east to Middle Xizang Road in the west. It’s home to over 100 time-honored Chinese brands and a mix of modern malls and department stores. Long-standing names like First Foodhall , Lao Jie Fu , Baoda Xiang , Hengdeli , and Wu Liangcai continue to thrive here. Traditional southern goods stores are also concentrated in this area.

Recommended Malls

Shanghai Shimao Plaza

  • Why visit:
    Known as a “fashion hub of the Magic City,” this mall features a sleek and airy glass façade and a chic, modern look. The striking red “flying escalator” creates a dramatic entrance, leading into spaces inspired by a theater—“stage,” “auditorium,” “corridor,” and “backstage”—creating a unique urban opera house atmosphere.

  • Highlight brands:

    • Nike Global Flagship Store

    • Asia’s only M&M’s World flagship

    • Asia’s first downtown LEGO flagship store

    • Sephora’s first concept store in Asia

    • Dior Beauty’s first premium flagship in China

    • Shimao Hello Kitty: A Shanghai Nostalgia Journey

    • Starbucks Reserve

    • Shanghai’s first Champion flagship store

    • Pandora China Concept Boutique
      … and more

  • Address: 829 Nanjing East Road

  • Getting there: Exit 19 of People’s Square Station (Metro Lines 1, 2, 8), approx. 300m walk

New World Daimaru Department Store

  • Why visit:
    A high-end Japanese-style department store jointly created by Shanghai New World Co. and Japan’s long-established Daimaru Matsuzakaya.
    It offers one of the city’s most complete collections of cosmetics, often with unbeatable discounts—sometimes even cheaper than overseas purchases.

  • Highlight brands: IPSA, Lancôme, Estée Lauder, Decorté, SK-II, and more.

  • Address: 228 Nanjing East Road

  • Getting there: Exit 7 of Nanjing East Road Station (Metro Lines 2, 10)

Raffles City Shanghai

  • Why visit:
    A favorite for Japanese fashion brands and food lovers alike. The B1 level features casual eats, while almost every floor has quality dining options.

  • Highlight brand: Studio Ghibli-themed store

  • Address: 268 Middle Xizang Road

  • Getting there: Exit 15 of People’s Square Station (Metro Lines 1, 2, 8)

Jing’an Temple & West Nanjing Road | Luxury Shopping in the “Nanxi Concept”

The Jing’an Temple and West Nanjing Road area is the upscale western extension of the Nanjing Road shopping belt. Here, you’ll find everything from accessible mainstream brands to high-end luxury boutiques. Long-established landmarks like Plaza 66 , Plaza 889 , and Jiuguang Department Store have shaped the so-called “Nanxi Concept” —a high-end consumer district that is also fiercely contested by new trendy malls seeking to go viral on social media.

Recommended Malls

Jiuguang Department Store

  • Why visit:
    The oldest among the “three shopping giants” near Jing’an Temple, Jiuguang holds a special place in the hearts of locals.

  • Highlight brands:
    A strong selection of domestic fashion labels such as pinko , le fame , uocyaa , D-zzit , revan , icide , and COMME MOI (by Lv Yan).

  • Address: 1618 West Nanjing Road

Reel Mall (Réel Department Store)

  • Why visit:
    Compact yet refined, with frequent promotions and top-notch service.

  • Highlight brands:
    Luxury labels on the first floor, niche designer boutiques on the second, and a massive Acne Studios store on the third.

  • Address: 1601 West Nanjing Road

HKRI Taikoo Hui

  • Why visit:
    A hotspot for independent designer labels and exclusive “first stores.”
    Loved by Shanghai’s fashion-forward crowd, this mall contrasts sharply between its ground and underground levels.
    A luxury project by Taikoo (Swire Properties), it also houses Starbucks Reserve Roastery , which once became the mall’s social media icon.

  • Highlight brands:

    • Starbucks Reserve Roastery

    • China’s first sugqu boutique

    • Flagship stores for Disney , LEGO , Transformers , and more

  • Address: 789 West Nanjing Road, Jing’an District

Plaza 66

  • Why visit:
    China’s first true luxury mall in the modern sense.
    Packed with global designer powerhouses—queues in front of CHANEL and Louis Vuitton are a daily sight.
    Premium fashion labels like Sandro and Maje are found on the third floor, while B1 is home to high-end watches, jewelry, and cult brands like Balenciaga , which are housed on the central island level.

  • Highlight brand:
    The JOYCE multi-brand boutique is a must-visit for fashion lovers.

  • Address: 1266 West Nanjing Road

Jing’an Kerry Centre

  • Why visit:
    One of the landmark lifestyle complexes in Shanghai’s fashion scene.

  • Highlight brands:
    Premium beauty and wellness labels like Space NK , Thann , and Charlotte Tilbury.

  • Address: 1515 West Nanjing Road

Huaihai Road & Xintiandi | Old French Concession with a Shanghainese Twist

Huaihai Road and Xintiandi represent the stylish heart of Shanghai’s former French Concession. Along this historic boulevard, luxury boutiques meet trendy cafés, and the refurbished shikumen (stone-gate) architecture of Xintiandi blends with iconic historical landmarks like the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The district offers a one-of-a-kind vibe—a fusion of East and West, tradition and modernity. Compared to the “old money” feel of West Nanjing Road, this area leans more artistic, progressive, and avant-garde.

Recommended Malls

Xintiandi (New Heaven and Earth)

  • Why visit:

    • Known for its signature shikumen buildings, Xintiandi is divided into multiple areas: Xintiandi Plaza, North Block, South Block, The House, Fashion, and Trendy Lane.

    • After its recent renovation, it has attracted a wave of independent designer brands and creative concept stores.

    • Xintiandi Plaza features lifestyle and fashion brands and often hosts contemporary art exhibitions.

    • North Block is home to Shake Shack , Paulaner Bräuhaus , and the ultra-charming Wulixiang , a micro-museum of Shanghai’s living history.

    • South Block includes streetwear favorites like Concepts and Lululemon.

    • The House hosts unique pop-up shows and the music-themed “You Lian” shop by Lee Zongsheng and Ashin.

    • Fashion section includes luxury names like Vera Wang , BANXIAOXUE , and LEAF XIA.

    • Trendy Lane features bookstores, DIY craft shops, and family-friendly stores.

  • Locations by section:

    • Xintiandi Plaza: 333 Middle Huaihai Road

    • North Block: Lane 1–25, 181 Taicang Road

    • South Block: Lane 123, Xingye Road

    • The House: 380 South Huangpi Road

    • Fashion: 245 Madang Road

    • Trendy Lane: 150 Trendy Lane Road

  • Getting there:

    • Metro Line 1 to South Huangpi Road Station

    • Metro Line 10 to Xintiandi Station

Shanghai Plaza (上海广场)

  • Why visit:

    • A mall that’s literally an art gallery—exhibitions are installed throughout the first floor.

    • Features works by 9 different artists and their teams, with striking installations at all three main entrances.

    • Home to Kebeyo Chen Café , the first namesake store by the artist himself.

    • GOOD NEWS concept store gathers niche fashion and indie designer brands.

    • Don’t miss House of Heddy , a chic home décor shop by the celebrity designer favored by Fan Bingbing and Huang Xiaoming.

  • Highlight brands:

    • Kebeyo Chen Café

    • GOOD NEWS concept store

    • House of Heddy

  • Address: 138 Middle Huaihai Road

  • Getting there: Metro Line 1, South Huangpi Road Station, Exit 3

K11 Art Mall

  • Why visit:

    • The pioneer of the “art + shopping” concept in China.

    • A boutique-sized mall that made headlines with its third-floor “urban farm” and authentic art exhibitions.

    • Visually stunning with glass walls and a wave-patterned ceiling enhanced by glowing lights.

    • While the vibe is artful and relaxed, it still delivers a satisfying retail experience.

  • Highlight brands:

    • Luxury: GUCCI, FENDI, Prada

    • Jewelry & Accessories: Tiffany & Co., PANERAI, CHANEL, Cartier

    • Fashion: Max Mara, Sergio Rossi, Saint Laurent

    • Lifestyle & Beauty: MUJI, MANGO, Zeus beauty devices

  • Addresses:

    • 300 and 999 Middle Huaihai Road

  • Getting there: Metro Lines 1/10/12, South Shaanxi Road Station, Exit 7

iAPM Mall

  • Why visit:

    • Shanghai’s first “late-night shopping” mall—open until 11 PM

    • A premium project by Hong Kong’s Sun Hung Kai Properties

    • Direct metro access to Lines 1/10/12 at South Shaanxi Road Station

    • 6 floors of vertical shopping, 200+ international brands, and a rooftop garden

  • Highlight brands:

    • Luxury: Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana

    • Trendy fashion: Aape, I.T, MSGM, Pinko

    • Beauty: China’s largest Diptyque store, Byredo

    • Dining: First mainland location of Lady M (now relocated), %Arabica coffee

    • Lifestyle: City’s Super gourmet market, Broadway Premium Cinema

  • Address: 999 Middle Huaihai Road

  • Getting there:

    • Direct access via Metro Lines 1/10/12, South Shaanxi Road Station

    • Underground parking with 3 levels and smart navigation

Lujiazui | The New Face of Upscale Shopping in Pudong

As the financial heart of Pudong, Lujiazui boasts not only the city’s most iconic skyscrapers but also some of the most modern and fashionable shopping centers in Shanghai.

Recommended Malls

ifc Mall (International Finance Center)

  • Why visit: Often dubbed the "flagship" of high-end shopping in Shanghai, ifc Mall combines luxury with accessibility. It’s directly connected to the metro, features a high-end supermarket, a cinema, and a wide range of trendy dining options.

  • Highlight brands: HERMÈS, CHANEL, LV, GUCCI—name a luxury brand, they probably have it. Its collection of premium beauty brands is one of the most comprehensive in the city.

  • Address: No. 8 Century Avenue, Pudong.

  • Getting there: Take Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui Station.

L+Mall (Lujiazui Center)

  • Why visit: A visual treat with futuristic architecture and artistic design, created by the designers behind London Heathrow. The “Urban Galaxy” concept is evident throughout the space, especially in the massive second-floor lifestyle zone and dome-topped rooftop garden.

  • Highlight brands: Home to many flagship and first-in-Shanghai stores, including Kpro’s “glasshouse” concept store and Ole’s most modern supermarket design. Don’t miss the expansive Galeries Lafayette area.

  • Address: No. 899 Pudong South Road.

  • Getting there: 250 meters from Dongchang Road Station, Metro Line 2.

Century Link Mall

  • Why visit: A rising favorite among trendsetters. Its rooftop garden (L5) combines white lattice structures with greenery, making it Shanghai’s largest and most diverse succulent garden. At night, enjoy a musical light show with “smart” pianos. Don’t miss the retro-style "Lane 1192" (LG2), a photogenic recreation of 1930s Shanghai complete with costumed staff.

  • Highlight brands: Home to Shanghai’s largest UR store, a strong presence of domestic “Guochao” brands like Heijian and Feiyue, and luxury boutiques like Coscia and Marialuisa.

  • Address: No. 179 Weifang Road, Pudong.

  • Getting there: Connected to Century Avenue Station (Metro Lines 2/4/6/9).

Endless Shopping Possibilities in Shanghai

Beyond these iconic retail districts, neighborhoods like Xujiahui, Zhongshan Park, and Wujiaochang also offer excellent shopping options. And don’t forget the hidden gems tucked away in Shanghai’s countless specialty streets and alleys—perfect for uncovering unique local boutiques. For shopping lovers, Shanghai is truly an endless playground of retail therapy.

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