Huaihai Road Middle

Huaihai Road Middle used to be the most fashionable road in old Shanghai. Formerly named Avenue Joffre in the early 20th Century, this 6-kilometer boulevard was likened to the Champs-Elysees in Paris, Fifth Avenue in New York and Ginza in Tokyo.

In recent years however, nearby Nanjing Road has taken its place as a more popular and modern shopping street. Yet whilst tourists flock to Nanjing Road East and the super-rich Shanghainese strut down Nanjing Road West, shopping-savvy locals still prefer Huaihai Road. It is less gaudy and flashy than Nanjing Road East, but its chic fashions are still more reasonably priced than those at Nanjing Road West. With the towering shopping malls bursting through the ground at an alarming rate, Huaihai road is an embodiment of the prosperity and vigor of Shanghai's economy.

Most of the Shops start at Huangpi Rd. South metro station. While there are many shopping malls around Huaihai Rd. that you can skip, there are some that are really worth taking a look. Almost all have restaurants, fast food outlets and entertainment arcades inside. The basement and top floors also often have trolley stores with prices that put your bargaining skills to a test.

From here, Dongtai Rd. Antique Market and Xintiandi is a short walk away. The central section, east of Isetan department store, mostly retails clothes and accessories branded and manufactured locally.

There are also many streets famous for their boutiques around this area, such as Nanchang Rd. and Maoming Rd. Maoming Road S. offers women's tailoring services and high-end men's wear. Do look out for more boutiques selling clothing, silk and shoes on Shaanxi Road and Changshu Road. Yandang Road is also a pleasant pedestrian street running south of Huaihai Road and it has several small boutiques and outdoor cafes that offer a respite from all the shopping.

How to get there

Take Metro Line No.1 and get off at Huangpi Road S. metro station or Shaanxi Road S. metro station to reach this road. Buses 42, 926, 24 126, 911 also travel along this road.

Malls to look out for

Shanghai Times Square

Shanghai Times Square is an up-market mall anchored by Lane Crawford and is home to many world-class brands such as Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, Esprit and designer Walter Ma. There is a supermarket in the basement and a cinema on the 6th floor. It is famous for its top quality goods as well as its annual New Year's Eve celebrations. Many people will gather and wait for the Apple Countdown each year and for the artificial snow to fall to welcome the New Year.

Maison Mode Department Store

Maison Mode, founded in 1994, offers the widest selection of world renowned designer labels, luxury brands and lifestyle products. Maison Mode department store can also be located in other parts of China - Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing and Xian.

With white marble decorating the outer walls and glass walls dividing the chic interior, the mall looks modern and is very high-fashion. Its products include Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hugo Boss, BALLY, DAKS, Cartier, Mont Blanc, Alfred Dunhill, Zegna, Anne Klain, Paul&Shark, Charles Jourdan, Canali, Aigner, Mondi, Lancel, Moreschi, KENZO and BIBA. Spanish retailer Zara is also situated at the ground floor of the building.

Shanghai Central Plaza

This shopping mall has many upscale clothes stores. In addition, there is a Delifrance, DHL, Starbucks and hair and nail salons. The basement connects to Huangpi S. metro station.