xiangshan lu

Just west of Shaanxi South Road is the sprawling Xiangyang Market (xiangyanglu shichang). Expect to be accosted by all manner of watch, purse and clothing vendors who will lead you into twisting back alleys for copies of international brands. In Xiangyang you’re after bazaar-style street bargaining then this is the place to come. The vendors will shove a calculator in front of you with a price entered. Punch in 20% of the opening price and bargain accordingly haggling is essential so don’t be timid: great deals await the skillful bargainer. One final tipbuying in quantity will get the vendors into the mood to slash prices, so it’s good place to stock up on gifts for the folks back home.

An eclectic blend of restaurants and open-air cafe also line the streets in this area.

Everything from noodles to donuts is available for the tired shopper.

There’s’ never dull moment on the Nanjing Road pedestrian street naijinglu buxingjie Along Ruijin Er Road is the cozy Ruijin Guesthouse. This lovely compound of trees and  brick buildings is also home to the trendy Face bar and the fashionable restaurant Colours.

The Ruijin Guesthouses were built by media mogul Mohawk Morris of the North China News and later used as the seat of the Shanghai government following liberation in 1949.

At the end of Maoming Road, where it meets Yongjia Road, is a large alleyway that leads into the Maoming Flower Market where all sorts of orchids and ferns are sold wholesale. The flower market is planted in the Cultural Square(wenhud guangchang, which used to be the site of the old French dog track. Its heyday of franc-fisted fights and celebratory champagne toasts over bets on the hounds are long over. Now the area boasts quaint tree-lined streets where early risers do their exercises and vendors sell the morning’s breakfast of youtiao(youtido and steamed buns.

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