What is actually worth buying in Shanghai

Shanghai is not a cheap shopping city any more, and almost everything made in China is available at home for similar money. That makes the useful question narrow: what is genuinely worth carrying onto a plane?

The short answer is consumables and textiles, bought from fixed-price shops, and nothing that depends on a story about its provenance.

Worth buying

Chinese tea — the single best purchase, because quality differences are real and prices at home are far higher. Buy from a fixed-price shop and ask to taste before buying.

Silk, from established shops rather than markets, where the "silk" is often polyester. Real silk feels cool and does not generate static.

Contemporary Chinese designer clothing and objects from small shops in the Concession. Stationery and paper goods. Local snacks that travel — tea, preserved fruit, pastries.

Be careful with

"Antiques" — China prohibits export of genuinely old items and virtually everything sold to tourists is reproduction. The certificate is part of the performance.

Pearls, jade and any stone where you cannot assess quality. The markup for tourists is enormous and the fakes are good.

Electronics. Prices are comparable to elsewhere and warranties do not travel.

How the "silk street" model works

Multi-floor markets with small stalls operate on negotiated prices. The opening ask is typically three to five times the acceptable number, sometimes ten.

If you enjoy bargaining it can be fun. If you do not, go elsewhere — you will overpay.

Bargaining basics

Ask the price, offer roughly 30% and expect to settle near 40–50%. Be genuinely willing to walk away, which is the only real leverage.

Compare three stalls before buying anything — most markets have essentially identical stock.

Verdict

Buy tea, silk, and things you can carry. Be sceptical of "antiques" and anything involving a certificate.