Shanghai’s metro system isn’t only for getting around, it has some of the best shopping this city has to offer -- all without stepping foot into Shanghai’s winter weather
Your real holiday shopping might be weeks away, but you need to start your recon now to do it well -- and what's easier than gift buying on your walk home through the subway? The metro malls are a shoppers best friend if you know how to navigate them.
Best time to go metro shopping:
Weekdays in the early afternoon. Expect a lot of shoppers on Sundays and, of course, rush hours are always busy.
Dress code:
It may be cold outside, but in the subways, it’s nice and warm. In some places, a little too warm. Wear a coat that you don’t mind carrying.
Getting there
Take Line 1 to Xujiahui station to find the Meiluocheng shopping mall.
Take Line 1, 2 or 8 to People’s Square station (Renmin Guangchang ditie zhan) and its underground shopping complex, 1930 Fengqing Jie.
Take Line 3 or 4 to Zhongshan Park station for the Longzhimeng shopping mall.
Take Line 2 to Jing'an Temple station.
Making the purchase
Although there's plenty to buy (and some stores will take UnionPay), there are very few ATMs below ground so play it safe and bring cash.
Metro shopping: Meiluocheng Mall, Xujiahui
1. How better to wish someone happy holidays then with chocolates and stuffed animals? If you know a girlie girl, this is the present for her. Find this chocolate and bears gift (and just about any other pink object) at La Barnie (Guo Zi Muchang) near Xujiahui subway station's exit 9 to Meiluocheng Mall. Prices vary with bouquet, but the one in the photo is RMB 199.
2. You don't have to be a shoe gazer to love these punk, glossy red "leather" Doc Martins (RMB 899) from Really Town Shoes. Bonus score: Colored socks free with each pair of shoes. These kicks are located inside the Xujiahui subway station, near exit 14.
Metro shopping: People's Square Station/1930 Fengqing
1. Who says an iPhone has to be your only toy? So not true. This F-45 Phantom model kit is just one of the assortment of reasonably-priced models available (under RMB 50 per set) that's perfect for the kid in you -- or any kid in your life. Find the Model Shop inside People’s Square subway station (#1-101) by exit 17.
2. Nothing like a few accessories to spruce up an holiday outfit. Get last minute necklaces, watches and small gifts (you need to get the hostess something) at Li Pin #2 in the underground shopping mall in People’s Square subway station by exit 2.
3. Guanjie xiong (movable bears) are a local favorite -- and really they're just kind of awesome. Think of them as grown-up teddy bears. Guanjie xiong come in just about any color or design for less than RMB 100. Find an assortment of bears at INMAX (#S-F) in 1930 Fengqing Jie in People’s Square subway station.
4. Flash back to earlier times when a Wii wasn't on every 3-year-old's Christmas wish list with these children’s rocking horses (RMB 198). These and so many other great kid’s toys are available at Gogowoo (store #4, 2A), one of the many gezi dian (small goods shops) located in People’s Square subway station's 1930 Fengqing Jie.
Metro shopping: Zhongshan Park
1. Candy is dandy during the holiday but jelly beans are great year-round. Stopping here is a great alternative to buying expensive imported jelly bean brands -- and with jelly beans in hand, you'll be welcome just about anywhere you're heading. The jelly bean shop is located in the underground food court inside Zhongshan Park subway station (Basement level 2, #B2004).
2. Honey for your honey? Available in flavors and prices to please all honey-lovers, this natural sugar is at Sen Feng Yuan (#2012) in the underground of the Longzhimeng shopping mall, next to Carrefour.
Metro shopping: Jing'an Temple
1. Tibetan dong chong xia cao ("winter insect summer grass" or caterpillar fungi) is said to have great health benefits (in traditional Chinese medicine it's used as an aphrodisiac and as a treatment for a variety of ailments from fatigue to cancer), and is priced to match at RMB 500-2,000 a piece. Find this gift of health at Rong He Tang Yan Wo in the Jing’an Temple subway station, City Plaza, level B1.
source: CNNGO.com
Your real holiday shopping might be weeks away, but you need to start your recon now to do it well -- and what's easier than gift buying on your walk home through the subway? The metro malls are a shoppers best friend if you know how to navigate them. 
1. How better to wish someone happy holidays then with chocolates and stuffed animals? If you know a girlie girl, this is the present for her. Find this chocolate and bears gift (and just about any other pink object) at La Barnie (Guo Zi Muchang) near Xujiahui subway station's exit 9 to Meiluocheng Mall. Prices vary with bouquet, but the one in the photo is RMB 199.
2. You don't have to be a shoe gazer to love these punk, glossy red "leather" Doc Martins (RMB 899) from Really Town Shoes. Bonus score: Colored socks free with each pair of shoes. These kicks are located inside the Xujiahui subway station, near exit 14. 
1. Who says an iPhone has to be your only toy? So not true. This F-45 Phantom model kit is just one of the assortment of reasonably-priced models available (under RMB 50 per set) that's perfect for the kid in you -- or any kid in your life. Find the Model Shop inside People’s Square subway station (#1-101) by exit 17. 
2. Nothing like a few accessories to spruce up an holiday outfit. Get last minute necklaces, watches and small gifts (you need to get the hostess something) at Li Pin #2 in the underground shopping mall in People’s Square subway station by exit 2.
3. Guanjie xiong (movable bears) are a local favorite -- and really they're just kind of awesome. Think of them as grown-up teddy bears. Guanjie xiong come in just about any color or design for less than RMB 100. Find an assortment of bears at INMAX (#S-F) in 1930 Fengqing Jie in People’s Square subway station. 
4. Flash back to earlier times when a Wii wasn't on every 3-year-old's Christmas wish list with these children’s rocking horses (RMB 198). These and so many other great kid’s toys are available at Gogowoo (store #4, 2A), one of the many gezi dian (small goods shops) located in People’s Square subway station's 1930 Fengqing Jie. 
1. Candy is dandy during the holiday but jelly beans are great year-round. Stopping here is a great alternative to buying expensive imported jelly bean brands -- and with jelly beans in hand, you'll be welcome just about anywhere you're heading. The jelly bean shop is located in the underground food court inside Zhongshan Park subway station (Basement level 2, #B2004). 
2. Honey for your honey? Available in flavors and prices to please all honey-lovers, this natural sugar is at Sen Feng Yuan (#2012) in the underground of the Longzhimeng shopping mall, next to Carrefour.
1. Tibetan dong chong xia cao ("winter insect summer grass" or caterpillar fungi) is said to have great health benefits (in traditional Chinese medicine it's used as an aphrodisiac and as a treatment for a variety of ailments from fatigue to cancer), and is priced to match at RMB 500-2,000 a piece. Find this gift of health at Rong He Tang Yan Wo in the Jing’an Temple subway station, City Plaza, level B1.
