Insider's Shanghai
Fed up of waffling travel guidebooks? Here's Shanghai in a nutshell from the residents who know the city best.
Shanghai, to a newcomer, can be one of the sweatiest, busiest metropolises of confusion in the world. So we’ve tracked down the city’s biggest and best socialites, party people and foodies to find out the hottest places to wine, dine and shop in Shanghai.
Shops | Bars | Restaurants | Tourist | Stay
Top Ten Shops in Shanghai
Got a wad of reminbi burning a hole in your pocket? Well there’s no better cash bonfire than Shanghai's painfully chic boutiques. Shopaholic residents Stella Shu and Sophie Lloyd show us around.
The Thing | Fashion
Sported by a large majority of fashion-conscious locals, The Thing has inscribed itself firmly in Shanghai’s clothing canon – widely recognized for its edgy graphic designing printed on monochrome black and white T-shirts, canvas bags, sneakers and hats. The small concrete den is always bustling with a clientele browsing the gallery of designs on display along the wall then digging deep into their pockets.
Must buy: Pick up one of their T-shirts, $78+.
Address: 266 Changle Lu, near Ruijin Lu, +86- 5975- 5963.
Aiaia | Fashion
The homely Aiaia resembles a large walk-in wardrobe. Tucked away in a cozy villa, it features some of the most cutting edge fashion labels for men and women, from Matthew Williamson to hip Japanese designer GVGV. Making for a leisurely shopping experience, you can leaf through the select garments and try as you please – plus there’s a personal stylist on request.
Must buy: Check out the funky French menswear label Homecore.
Address: 165-1 Taiyuan Lu, near Yongjia Lu, +86- 6467-9102.
Xuan Xuan | Jewelry
This funky jewelry shop is nestled in Email Fashion Shopping Mall, a maze of clothing, accessories, and knick-knack stalls by Jing’an Metro. Xuan Xuan, the store’s owner and sole employee, has brought together an eclectic collection of unique pieces from India, Nepal, Tibet and China. Earrings, rings, and necklaces in bold colors overflow from behind the glass counters while handmade pieces of silver, wood, and amber cover the walls.
Must buy: Anything from the vast collection of oversized wood earrings, $30-200.
Address: A120, Jing’an Si Plaza, 1699 Nanjing Lu, +86-1793-8907.
insh | Fashion
Gradually making a name for itself within the discerning fashion crowd, insh designs reflect Chinese tradition with a modern twist. The label, most widely recognized for their affordable line of T-shirts celebrates Shanghai icons of old - embellishing tees, pants and dresses with traditional prints, patterns and logos. Along with a fetching line of casuals for men and women, headed by Chinese designer Helen Lee, there’s also the odd accessory worth picking up.
Must buy: An insh T-shirt, $158-188.
Address: 200 Taikang Lu, +86-6466-5249.
Lilli’s | Jewelry
What appears to be the door to a dentist’s office is actually the humble entryway to one of the best high-end accessory shops in town. Lilli, the designer behind the handmade jewelry that dominates the store, has been running this main showroom for ten years and has used her popularity to open up three more around town. She incorporates antique pendants, crystal, and pearl in her one-of-a-kind, contemporary pieces and will even provide custom designs on request.
Must-buy: Gold necklace with sanded coral and sponge coral, fresh water pearls, and silver and gold plated beads, $1,600.
Address: Maosheng Mansion 1D, 1051 Xinzha Lu, Jiangning Lu,+86- 6215- 5031.
Pop Shanghai | Home
A futuristic gadget center if ever there was one, Pop Shanghai is a jumble of space age toys and furnishings that resembles the inside of a spaceship with its gleaming white padded walls and tunnel fixture set against the far wall. From the kitsch and the gaudy to the downright outlandish, there is a variety of new-fangled chairs (in surprisingly durable materials), quirky lighting pieces, kitchen gizmos and flashing robots.
Must buy: Thai Twisted Rocker Chair, $6,068.
Address: Unit 5108, Block 5, The Bridge 8, 8-10 Jianguo Zhong Lu, near Sinan Lu, +86- 5466- 5108.
Shanghai Trio | Lifestyle
Combining French and Chinese aesthetics, this charming lifestyle boutique poetically unites its seasonal collections under a common Chinese theme. Summer sees the arrival of “rain” and a tasteful range of soft home furnishings and accessories including bags, scarves, notebooks and mobile phone cases in pure fabrics of satin, silk and cotton – detailed with a colorful touch of Chinese embroidery or patterning.
Must buy: Summer dressing gown in lilac or limegreen, $350.
Address: 181 Taicang Lu, Xintiandi, +86- 6355- 2974.
Younik | Fashion
Fashion boutique Younik is at the forefront of nurturing Shanghai’s homegrown style luminaries. The tidy little outlet in the gallery of luxury shops in Bund 18 shines a spotlight on up and coming designers for women’s clothing and accessories. As well as showcasing the latest collections from the flamboyant Lu Kun and the meticulous Jenny Ji, there’s Jooi’s creative line of accessories and Jiang Qiong Er’s industrial trinkets.
Must buy: Necklace and earring set, Jiang Qiong Er, $880.
Address: 2/F, Bund 18, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, +86-6323-8688.
Eblis Hungi | Fashion
Fresh faced and focused, Chinese designer Homin demonstrates a fine eye for style through his unisex clothing label Eblis Hungi – branded with the bandage-bound mummy head. Suitably stationed along the Changle Lu retail strip, his concrete boutique dishes up a creative line of T-shirts – with graphics ranging from the playful to the slightly eerie – and a cool collection of well-customized denims. And these jeans are a cut above the rest in their edgy style and quality. A collection of Ape Sta sneakers are also available.
Must Buy: Eblis Hungi T-shirt in black bearing a Mummy with an afro, $80.
Address: 139-18 Changle Lu, +86-5382-6807.
The Link | Weddings
Chinese designer Vera Wang makes her ethereal collection of wedding dresses readily available to Shanghai at her Shangri-La boutique, The Link. The bright, luxurious showroom sees a flurry of creamy white gowns, bodices and flowing skirts embellished with fancy embroidery, beads, and lace. To complete the wedding experience, Vera Wang designs other women’s formal wear, picture frames, and vases. The elegant, stylish attire is every woman’s dream.
Must buy: Style #2G184, $36,000.
Address: 4/F, Shangri-La Hotel, 33 Fucheng Lu, Lujiazui, Pudong, +86-6882- 8888 ext 7400 or 7401.
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Top Five Bars in Shanghai
There is no denying that the staff at our magazines like the odd alcoholic beverage, so who better to fill us in on the top ten bars to visit in the city than Food Editor of our Shanghai sister magazine, SH, Jarrett Wrisley?
The Garden at Cotton’s
This is one of the best places in Shanghai to relax and escape from the crowds. It’s friendly with a nice neighborhood vibe and good cocktails. It’s not a stuck up scene at all; just a laidback atmosphere, nice people, a big old house and some trees.
Address: Corner of Anting Lu and Jianguo Lu.