Shanghai's eternal charm is ever-present on a day's shopping around China's largest city.
Neon lights at Nanjing East Road
The most ‘westernised’ metropolis in China, Shanghai is a true icon of modernity, and has become a popular setting for cultural works such as the recent novel Shanghai Baby by Wei Hui. It is the largest city in China, and with almost 19 million inhabitants it is also one of the most populated cities in the world.
The imposing skyscrapers of Nanjing West Road and the emblematic neon lights of Nanjing East Road are the identifying marks of the city -which will host the Shanghai Expo in 2010-, and which offers an exciting day’s shopping for Spanish fashion.
Nanjing West Road is one of the main shopping streets in Shanghai. Among its skyscrapers there is still room for the Spanish high street chains Zara and Mango. The street is also home to one of the city’s branches of the jeweller Tous.
The various shopping centres on this thoroughfare offer a wide range of Spanish fashion. Westgate Mall houses the romantic fashion of Trucco, while Cimarron has a standalone store in the In Point Mall. Quality footwear by Lottusse, as well as Loewe’s exclusive leather goods and prêt-à-porter, are found in the Citic Square shopping centre. Plaza 66 Mall boasts the latest ceramics by Lladró and avant-garde footwear by Camper, also available in thei comany's boutique in the Xintiandi Mall on Xing Ye Road.
The Soga space has a section dedicated to the Spanish denim brand Cimarron and comfortable footwear by Patricia. Xin Shijie, also on Nanjing West Road, presents the latest lingerie collections by Little Kiss, which can also be found in Anxin (Mudajiang Road).
Nanjing East Road has one of the city's most famous emblem neon lights. Strolling down its vibrant pavements you will find another of jeweller Tous's branches in the city in the shopping centre Brillance Shimao International Plaza. The brand famous for its little bear boasts three other branches in Shanghai: one located in the Hongqiao Friendship Center on South Zunyi Road; and another in the Orient Shopping Center on North Cao Xi Road.
Zara has just opened a new branch on Nanjing East Road, and Mango will open its flagship store in Shanghai on the same street in 2009. There are currently other branches of Mango in the shopping centres Gran Gateway Plaza, Xian Tian Di Mall, Parkson Department Store, and Raffles City.
In the city centre we can find the Luwan district, chosen by the Spanish firm Adolfo Domínguez as the location for its Shanghai boutique, which is situated on Ma Dang Road. In the north of this district is Huaihai Road, a must for those seeking the most exclusive brands. In this area you can also find branches of Mango and Zara in the spectacular Shanghai Times Square shopping centre. In the Pacific Department Store there is a section dedicated to Cimarron.
To the east of the city, if you cross the Huangpu River you will reach the Pudong district. In Lujiazui Xi Lu there is the shopping centre Superbrand Mall, with its new Zara boutique and the latest trends in lingerie by Little Kiss.
Shopping guide for Spanish fashion in Shanghai
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