What to Buy in Shanghai: Best Souvenirs, Gifts & Shopping Finds

SEO Accom (Global)
18 Jul 2025 - 6 min read

If you're planning a trip to Shanghai and wondering what to buy to remember your visit, you're in the right place. Shanghai is a city that blends rich history with modern flair, offering an array of unique gifts and souvenirs to bring home. From the elegant Shanghai qipao to delicate Shanghai jewelry and luxurious silk Shanghai, there’s something for everyone.

I personally love picking up something special, like a Shanghai bracelet or Shanghai ring, to remind me of this vibrant city. Whether you’re looking to shop for traditional qipao Shanghai, or send a beautiful flower bouquet from Shanghai to someone special back home, you’ll find plenty of options. If you’re not able to shop in person, online gift delivery in Shanghai and Shanghai gift delivery services make it easy to get the perfect gift delivered directly to your doorstep. So, let's dive into what to buy in Shanghai and the best places to grab these memorable keepsakes!

1. Silk Shanghai Products

Silk products are a must-buy when you're in Shanghai, as the city is renowned for its high-quality silk. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious scarf, a cozy pajama set, or a robe, authentic Shanghai silk is a perfect souvenir that combines practicality with elegance. 

I personally love visiting the South Bund Fabric Market, a historic textile hub that offers a variety of silk products, from fabrics to custom-made clothes. You’ll find silk, cotton, linen, and even cashmere, all available at reasonable prices. The market is known for its bespoke tailoring services, and I’ve had a great experience getting a custom qipao made to my measurements in just a few days. 

Prices for silk scarves can start around ¥100 (SGD 20), while tailored suits can cost upwards of ¥1,000 (SGD 200) depending on the design and materials. Located at 399 Lujiabang Lu in Huangpu District, it's easy to reach by Metro Line 4 (Nanpu Bridge Station). Whether you're shopping for yourself or as a gift for someone special, silk products from the South Bund Fabric Market are both a meaningful and beautiful memento of your time in Shanghai.

2. Shanghai Qipao Shopping Guide

One of the best items to buy in Shanghai is the elegant qipao, also known as the cheongsam. A qipao is a traditional Chinese dress that features a form-fitting design and is often made from luxurious silk. These dresses are both beautiful and meaningful, embodying Shanghai’s rich culture and history.

I found some incredible options at Shanghai Tang (No. 1376, West Nanjing Road, JingAn District), where they offer high-quality qipaos in both classic and contemporary styles. Prices for these stunning pieces can range from ¥2,300 to ¥4,700, depending on the design and fabric, with high-end embroidered pieces going for over ¥10,000.

3. Shanghai Snack and Food Souvenirs

When I think about the delicious souvenirs to bring home from Shanghai, Butterfly Pastry (蝴蝶酥) immediately comes to mind. This classic Shanghai treat is made of crispy, sweet layers of pastry, often prepared with imported butter and a low-sugar recipe. It's the perfect snack to enjoy with a cup of tea and is a popular choice among locals. 

The price for a box typically ranges from SGD 10 to SGD 20, depending on the size. You can find it at International Hotel Bakery, located at 28 Huanghe Road, though be prepared for a queue since it’s a beloved local favorite. You can also easily order this delicious pastry through Shanghai gift delivery services for convenience if you wish to send it to loved ones.

Another must-try from Shanghai’s food scene is Shendacheng Pastries (沈大成糕点), a traditional pastry shop dating back to 1851. If you're looking to surprise someone special, you can easily arrange Shanghai hamper delivery and send these delightful pastries as a thoughtful gift.

4. Jade Jewelry and Accessories

Jade jewelry is a beautiful and meaningful souvenir from Shanghai, with jade being a symbol of luck and protection in Chinese culture. You’ll find stunning jade rings, bracelets, and pendants, each crafted with care and precision. Whether you’re drawn to traditional Shanghai jades or modern jade bracelets, the craftsmanship here is unmatched.

One of the best places to purchase jade jewelry in Shanghai is Hongqiao Jewelry City (3721 Hongmei Lu, Changning District). This market offers a wide variety of jade pieces, and the knowledgeable vendors are always happy to help you find the perfect piece that suits your taste. The prices for jade jewelry can vary widely depending on the quality and design, with simpler pieces starting at around SGD 100 and more intricate ones going up to SGD 2,000 or more.

After picking up your beautiful jade jewelry, you might want to find a comfortable place to stay. Here’s the recommendations:

5. Shanghai-Style Creative Gifts

One of my favorite spots to find Shanghai-style cultural and creative gifts is the Shanghai Museum. The museum's creative merchandise beautifully blends history with modern design, making it an ideal place to pick up unique souvenirs. For instance, the Bronze Tea Cup, inspired by ancient Chinese bronzeware, is a stylish and functional piece that brings a historical twist to your tea-drinking experience. Another fun item I love is the Ding Ice Cream, which is creatively shaped like the famous Da Ke Ding, a bronze ritual vessel, turning history into something delicious. 

You can find these items at the Shanghai Museum Cultural & Creative Store in People's Square. The prices are reasonable, with the Bronze Tea Cup priced around SGD 20-30, and the Ding Ice Cream starting at SGD 15. These make great gifts for anyone interested in Chinese history or unique Shanghai souvenirs. If you can't make it in person, consider Shanghai hamper delivery or online gift delivery in Shanghai for a convenient way to send these unique gifts straight to your loved ones.

6. Shanghai’s Top Tea Markets and Specialty Shops

If you’re a tea lover like me, Shanghai Difute International Tea Culture Plaza is a must-visit destination. This is one of the largest tea markets in Shanghai, offering a vast selection of premium Chinese teas from all over the country. Whether you're looking for green tea, oolong, black tea, or jasmine tea, you can find it all here, along with tea accessories like teapots and cups.

The prices range from SGD 10 to SGD 50 depending on the tea’s grade and packaging, with some premium teas going up to SGD 100 for a larger quantity. This market is located at 1165 Gonghe New Road, Jing’an District, right next to the courthouse, making it easily accessible for tourists. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to take home high-quality teas or experience Shanghai’s rich tea culture. You can also find Shanghai gift delivery services if you want to send a taste of Shanghai to your friends or family back home.

7. Buy Flowers in Shanghai

If you're looking for the perfect flowers in Shanghai, I highly recommend Annie's Dream Florist. Annie Wang, the owner, brings over a decade of experience working with top florists in the UK, Sweden, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Her expertise has led her to work with prestigious brands like Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari, and Audi, so you know you're getting quality flowers. 

If you're looking for something extravagant, you can order a large flower bouquet in Shanghai paired with Ferrero Rocher chocolates (around SGD 240-300), definitely a luxurious choice that requires preordering. For something equally stunning but a bit more timeless, try the mixed flowers in a glass, which last up to three years and come in colors like red, pink, blue, and purple (about SGD 160). The regular roses here start at SGD 4 per stem, while a beautiful shanghai bouquet will typically cost around SGD 30.

You can visit Annie's Dream Florist at 1/F, No. 398, Dongtai Road, or check out their services online. The best part? They offer full English service. Plus, if you’re looking to send a thoughtful gesture, they also offer flower delivery in Shanghai for your convenience.

Where to Buy in Shanghai

Silk & Qipao: South Bund Fabric Market, Shanghai Tang
Jewelry & Jade: Hongqiao Jewelry City
Snacks & Hampers: Shendacheng Pastries, International Hotel Bakery
Tea & Accessories: Shanghai Difute International Tea Culture Plaza
Florals & Gift Boxes: Annie’s Dream Florist
Shanghai Disney Pandora Charms

When I visited Shanghai Disneyland, I found the Pandora charms inspired by the park’s characters to be really special keepsakes. They’re a nice way to remember the magic of the place.

Shanghai Story Qipao

I also loved discovering the Shanghai Story Qipao. It’s a beautiful mix of traditional Chinese fashion with a modern touch. I think it’s a great souvenir if you want something wearable and meaningful.

Hand-painted fans or lacquer boxes

Another favorite of mine is the hand-painted fans and lacquer boxes. The detail and skill in these pieces really show the local craftsmanship. They make lovely gifts or something unique to bring home.

Shanghai truly offers something for every type of shopper, and with so many choices available, you're bound to find a meaningful souvenir or gift to remember your time in this fascinating city. Whether it’s for yourself or a loved one, you’ll find gift delivery in Shanghai services to make shopping even more convenient.

And to make the most of your trip, Traveloka is here to help. From flights, finding great hotels, exploring the best travel activities  or even to gift deliveries, it’s a one-stop platform for all your travel needs. Be sure to use Traveloka app for your next Shanghai adventure, and enjoy a seamless experience from start to finish.

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