"Hunting for made-in-China souvenirs more Etsy than kitschy? Madame Mao is the spot! Check out the alphabet tote bags from Pinyin Press, cloisonné snuff bottles by Piling Palang, vibrant wrapping paper by Paper Tiger, and quirky jewelry from the young Shanghai designer Shin. If you're into vintage finds more than handmade items, browse the extensive collection of Communist propaganda posters from the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. While the large framed images can be expensive, the postcards and photographs are affordable and can be tucked away in every suitcase."

"Deng Bing Bing started his line of ceramic, cloisonné and lacquer home goods after he spent a decade in Melbourne . Traditional Chinese designs incorporate playful details and vibrant colors, blending Eastern and Western styles seamlessly. Scoop up ceramic trays, bowls painted with acrobats and beautiful cloisonné tiffin carriers."

"Blue Nankeen Exhibition Hall's name is a bit misleading. There's a display upstairs explaining hownankeen cloth is starched and hand-dyed a rich shade of indigo, but this is primarily a place to pick up beautiful textiles, clothing, and accessories. Nankeen, also known as blue calico, originates from Nanjing, China's onetime capital ( nanjing means "southern capital"). You’ll find it used here in mandarin-collar shirts for both men and women, pint-size tea dresses for little girls, soft-soled slip-on shoes, hats, and bags. If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can even buy fabric by the meter. No discounts."

"Shanghai's arts and crafts enclave, Tianzifang, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes bursting with diminutive shops, restaurants, and bars. Most of the shops here are located inside shikumen , stone gatehouses dating to the early 1930s. Gear up for your shopping spree witha coffee alfresco at Kommune before checking outXingmu Handicraft'sgorgeous handmade leather notebooks orShanghai Code'svintage Chinese glasses and watches. Pick up delicate stationery at Dongxi Workshop, Shanghai 's very first boutique, and head to Sky Music Box for—you guessed it—music boxes from all over the world."

"Germain Tailors This French Concession tailor shop specializes in bespoke and made-to-measure menswear. Come here to get fitted for suits, blazers, and overcoats for a fraction of what it would cost in the States. Germain’s tailors were trained in Japan and Europe, and its fabric selection, sourced from England, Italy, China, and Japan, is expansive, with a whopping 1,000 choices of natural fibers like cotton, wool, and linen. Custom suits start from approximately$530. Bespoke shirts, in which you choose the fabric weight, pattern, and cuff and collar style, start from about$75."

"Gaze down at Shanghai denizens' feet, and you’ll see many pairs of canvas sneakers emblazoned with the word Feiyue . You can pick up your own pair at Culture Matters, a pint-size second-floor shop offering Feiyues in dozens of styles and colors. The homegrown brand dates back to the 1920s, when canvas shoes with a supple rubber bottom were first produced in Shanghai. It wasn’t until two decades later that the shoes, popular in martial arts because of their flexible sole, got the name Feiyue, meaning “to fly across.” The street-style staples retail in Europe for as much as$71—but at Culture Matters, the original black and white models cost a fraction of that, and you can even have them custom painted!"

"What the Cool Kids Wear Shanghai-based shoe company Feiyue means "flying forward" in Chinese. Around since the 1920s, these lightweight sneakers became the shoe of choice by kung fu fighters in the 1930s. In fact, rumor has it that nearly 80% of kung fu fighters today still wear Feiyues for training. But it's not just martial artists you'll find sporting these kicks. They've been popular footwear for ages and have even started popping up in boutiques and outlets around the world. Why not buy them at the source? By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"Independent Fashion in the Former French Concession Online fashion brand Xinlelu showcases independent labels from Asia and around the world in an attractive offline villa with purple French doors and a leafy courtyard. Check out the Finch retro bathing suits made from recycled plastic bottles. 87 Wuyuan Lu, 86/(0) 21-6433-1789."

"Luxurious Knits For something beautiful, unique and quintessentially Chinese, you'll want to pick up a yak-wool knit from Shokay. This incredible social enterprise works with yak farmers in Western China to teach them how to harvest the finest down from their yaks. From here the wool is sent to a group of trained spinners who work their magic, turning the down into the most luxurious, soft yarn. Further transformed into elegant wraps, scarves, jewelry, hats, mittens, throws and pillows, Shokay's collection offers perfect locally-made, ethically-sourced, beautiful gifts to take home. Store Location: InShop, 1605 West Nanjing Road (Just above JingAn Temple Metro Station, Line 7/Gate 10). Tucked back on aisle "D", you'll find Shokay's pieces in an open space boasting a collection of Shanghai -based designers and labels. And for a true adventure, SHOKAY has transformed its knitting cooperative on Chongming Island into an open textiles workshop. Just over an hour away from Shanghai, the creative space welcomes visitors to spend the afternoon relaxing, joining in knitting classes, or custom ordering hand knit pieces from yak down. For more information, visit their website. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"Skincare at Its Finest Combining the purity of natural elements with traditional Chinese wisdom, Ba Yan Ka La has developed a line of skincare, hair care, and other beauty products that are both carefully sourced and expertly blended. Ba Yan Ka La means "Mountain of Abundance" and it's the namesake of the range in Qinghai (Western China) where the company sources its water, drawing from the mountain's pristine glacial springs. Chock-full of ingredients like lotus seed, Tibetan roseroot, and Chinese mulberry, their product list is not only unique but thoughtful. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"Tea and Rice If you're interested in getting an introduction into the world of Chinese tea, I highly recommend dropping into one of Cha Mi Living's two locations: Taikang Lu and Huamu Lu. From color to brewing times to tea service, they'll walk you through it all in a fun, delicious way. With beautifully packaged tins, you can put your new tea-knowledge to use and pick up a few teas to take home as gifts as well. Be sure to try their Lei Cha, a delicious pounded grain tea from Southern China's Hakka minority. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"The Iconic Chinese Dress Whether you decide to buy one off the rack or get a custom-made qipao (recommended), these figure-hugging dresses are arguably the most iconic fashion piece for females around China, and sexy to boot. If you opt to visit a tailor (which I really suggest that you do!), the selection of fabrics and details will ensure you'll be able to customize your dress to fit your body and your style. Now, that's a great souvenir. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"Row after row of booths are sprawled across this small part of Shanghai , just south of People's Square. Here, you can find pretty much anything you want, from tiny Mao statues, to old leather suitcases stacked 10 feet tall. Each vendor will be on you as soon as you approach their booth. They are quite polite, however, and will have a calculator or phone handy to show you the price for their items. The catch is that the majority of these "antiques" are actually factory-made items, and most booths have similar items. The good part is that you have a really good chance of a low price if you bounce back & forth between booths that have the same items. Shopping aside, this is also a great spot to see daily Shanghai life. Laundry hangs over your head, food trucks cruise up and down the rows, and the vendors socialize with each other when they are not selling items. This is a must for any visitor to Shanghai. By Blake Burton"

"Shanghai's South Bund Fabric Market Shanghai tailors are the best in the world, says fashion designer Christy Holzer, whose label, Dowry Designs, was inspired by the city. She suggests visiting the South Bund fabric market to order custom garments. DRESS: STALL 308 “A fun style to wear is the qipao [a centuries-old Chinese dress that got its form-fitting shape in the 1920s]. Traditional silk patterns make the garment look old, so request a solid-color silk.” SUIT: STALL 309 “If you want truly exceptional fabric, ask for 100 percent wool. Most of the wool fabrics they have are blends. Specify that they line your suit with 100 percent silk or cotton.” COTTON SHIRT: STALL 310 “Look at the buttons the tailors are planning to use, as they often choose cheap ones. If you don’t like the buttons, stop by a button stall at the market; it will be worth the extra investment.” Illustration by Michael Hoeweler."

"A Picture Taker's Paradise: Xingguang Photographic Equipment City A shutterbug's dream come true: two buildings of several floors each house any camera, lens, or piece of photography equipment you could ever want. From brand-new DSLRs to vintage Hasselblads and everything in between, this behemoth market is likely to have whatever you may be looking for, or hold surprises you didn’t even know existed. Tip: keep an eye out for a few original Seagulls manufactured in Shanghai . By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"For a classy souvenir, head over to the Hongqiao Pearl Market to pick up a strand—or six—of South Sea Pearls. Be sure to browse the stalls first to get an idea of the scope of options (everything from technicolor concoctions to perfect orbs dangling on 24K gold chains) and don’t forget to haggle a bit over the price. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"Electronic Heaven For all things tech, head over to the cybermart on Huaihai Lu. With three floors of gadgets, there's little you won't find here in the way of wired toys. For an extra memory stick, thumb drive or cable, this is the place to pick it up. But if you're looking for a bargain on big name electronics, you might be disappointed, as import costs rack up prices. Nonetheless, if you want to power up and play, this is the place to come. Open 10am - 8pm daily By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"A Market of Color and Flavor A cultural experience as much as a culinary one, be sure you pop into one of Shanghai 's many "wet markets" for a true flavor of the city. Vegetables, fruits, eggs, meat, grains, rice, fish, every variety of tofu you can imagine....these vendors put Western supermarkets to shame in their selection of fresh produce and unusual cuts of meat. While wet markets can be found across the city, one of my favorites is on Taikang Lu in between the lane entrances for Tianzifang. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"With over 150 vendors offering up aromatic leaves, you can sip and shop your way through this multi-floor tea market. Beyond tea, there are a number of vendors selling handmade ceramics and other tea-related necessities and accessories. Open daily from 9:30am- 8:30pm By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"