Fake Market Shanghai is part of the TPOL in Shanghai Trip Report.
The days of going to the fake market at Chengdu Lu and Nanjing Xi Lu are over. Shanghai has cleaned up its act, at least in the main tourist areas. That location used to have story after story and shop after shop of fake goodies. Now, it is a legitimate business place.
Don’t worry, you can still find the replicas of your favorite brand names. They’re still in the basement of the Shanghai Natural History Museum’s metro station. Maybe it’s the lack of supply that explains why rock bottom prices are hard to come by, but the merchants’ appetite for engaging in the bargaining process has also disappeared (see TPOL’s Guide to Bargaining Abroad). That’s what used to make the experience fun.
I was repeatedly told not to come back by store owners after I gave my best price. I was also asked by one saleswoman if I wanted to go to the hospital. I didn’t know if that was a threat or if she was implying that I was crazy in response to the prices I suggested.
After spending two hours doing reconnaissance, here’s the best I could do (accurate as of September 2019):
Men’s designer casual gym shoes: 80RMB ($11.41), up from 40-50RMB
Women’s day purse: 60RMB ($8.56)
Women’s designer casual gym shoes: 60RMB
Nice women’s wallet: 130RMB ($18.55)
Designer belt: 40RMB ($5.71)
Bathing suit: 30RMB ($4.28)
Designer tee shirt: 50RMB ($7.13). Tourist tee shirts still cost 20-25RMB
Women’s designer shoes: 90RMB ($12.84)
Men’s designer loafers: 225RMB ($17.84), too much for me. It used to be 100RMB ($14.27)
TPOL’s TIP: If you’re interested in tailored clothes, see my Fabric Market Shanghai: How to Bargain (2019 Edition).
Overall
I never liked this location. They weren’t particularly friendly before and are less willing to engage in negotiations. Still, if you need some gear that you can use and abuse, this place serves that purpose.
Fake Market Shanghai is part of the TPOL in Shanghai Trip Report.
It’s only OK shopping if you ask me. I was more turned off by the ridiculous Russian tourists everywhere. Zero sense of non-gangsta style and vendors that cater to them.
Used to be better
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