Best of Shanghai's Unique Shops

1. Suzhou Cobblers

• Description: Hand-embroidered slippers, bags and hand-knitted children's clothing.
• Address: Room 101, No. 17, Fuzhou Road
• Opening hours: daily 10am-6:30pm
• Comments: I take all my visitors to the Bund and we all stop by Suzhou Cobblers for a few minutes. The boys head across to Three on the Bund for a beer and the girls fall in love with several pairs of gorgeous silk slippers embroidered with whimsical Chinese motifs.

2. Shanghai Trio

• Description: A small silk bag for every need.
• Address: 1) Unit 5, House 1, North Block, Xintiandi, Lane 181 Taicang Road; 2) Workshop/Showroom at No. 6, Lane 37 Fuxing Xi Road
• Opening hours: 1) daily 10am-10pm; 2) M-F 10am-6pm
• Comments: A perfect spot to pick up last minute gifts, Shanghai Trio's designs use traditional cotton and silk fabrics for the modern need such as a cell-phone case or jewelry bag. There's also an adorable line of children’s things and funky jewelry.

3. Song Fang Maison de thé

• Description: Chinese & French teas displayed beautifully with expert staff to explain it all to you.
• Address: 227 Yongjia Road near Shaanxi Nan Road, 021-6433-8283
• Opening Hours: Daily 10am-6pm
• Comments: Gorgeous French owner of the salon has hand-selected the finest teas from France and China (with the help of a Chinese expert) and has them ready to quaff upstairs in one of the two lovely tea rooms or downstairs at the sales counter. Experts behind the counter can explain the intricacies of the different teas with the same effect as a sommelier. If nothing else, buy the originally designed tins to keep loose tea fresh at home.

4. Platane

View Full-Size

© Photo courtesy of Platane, Shanghai.

5. Bliss

View Full-Size

© 2007 Sara Naumann, licensed to About.com, Inc.

6. Urban Tribe

• Description: Original clothing and jewelry designs, photography and a lovely café in the back.
• Address: 133 Fuxing West Road
• Opening hours: daily 9:30am-10pm
• Comments: Urban Tribe–ware includes breezy, baggy tops and long skirts of sumptuous cotton, gorgeous large format matted photos in black & white, as well as color, of Tibet, Burma, Vietnam and Cambodia, taken by the owner's husband, a line of unique silver jewelry including darling mobile-phone accessories, as well as a distinctive line of pottery.

7. Madame Mao's Dowry

• Description: Everything Mao (memorabilia) as well as porcelain, clothing and soft furnishings.
• Address: 207 Fumin Road, near Julu Road
• Comments: Dig through piles of black & white photography of China's past, Cultural Revolution propaganda posters and original note cards made with old Chinese ads. There's a line of revolutionary-inspired enamelware with modern slogans that might make your kitchen table rather unique.

8. Spin

• Description: Original porcelain for dinner tables or decoration.
• Address: 758 Julu Road, Bldg. No. 3 (set back from the street, through the parking lot), near Fumin Road
• Opening hours: daily noon-10pm
• Comments: Spin's range of ceramics are designed in Shanghai but created in JingDeZhen, China’s ceramics capital. Find distinctive and decorative objects such as platters and vases. Designs have a Japanese flavor, pieces are packaged meticulously in wooden boxes, but are uniquely Chinese. If you're unsure, stop into Shintori, nearby at 803 Julu Road, to see how this fabulous Japanese restaurant uses Spin's porcelain.

9. Shanghai Tang

• Description: Luxurious and fabulous collection of Chinese-inspired clothing, home accessories and gifts.
• Address: 1) 59 Mao Ming Road (between Huai Hai Zhong Road and Changle Road); 2) 15 Xintiandi North Block, Lane 181 Tai Cang Road; 3) Shangri-La Hotel, 33 Fu Cheng Road, Pudong.
• Opening hours: daily 10am-10pm
• Comments: With bargains to be found at so many shops and markets, it's difficult to stomach the price tags at Shanghai Tang. That said, you won't find more beautiful designs, quality gifts and darling kids' things. If there's a special gift you need to bring home from Shanghai, Shanghai Tang is worth a stop.

10. Shirt Flag

• Description: Original t-shirts, bags, hats, bits and bobs.
• Address: 1) 330 Nanchang Road, between Shanxi Nan Road and Maoming Road; 2) Room 8, No. 7, Lane 210 Taikang Road
• Opening hours: daily 1) 11am-10:30pm; 2) 10am-10pm
• Comments: Retro-Cultural-Revolution chic casual wear. Raised fists and red stars dominate. No bargaining but you might get a free giftie if you buy several items. Check out the ultra-cool paper-boy satchels.

11. Harvest Studio

• Description: Hand-embroidered clothing and soft-furnishings by Miao tribeswomen.
• Address: Room 118, No. 3, Lane 210 Taikang Road
• Opening hours: daily 9am-6pm
• Comments: The Miao tribe is famous for their intricate embroidery and hand-crafted silver ornaments that decorate their traditional dress – clothing that may take a woman many years to complete. The store helps support the ancient tradition; you'll likely see a few of the beautiful long-haired Miao women busily embroidering as you browse their collection.

12. Ba Yan Ka La

View Full-Size

© 2007 Sara Naumann, licensed to About.com, Inc.