Shanghai's shopping scene befits its economic status and the city boasts easily the best shopping in China. Brand awareness and access to much-coveted western labels accelerated following China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. New rules further opening up China's retail sector were implemented in late 2004, opening the doors to many previously absent high street brands, such as Zara, Sephora, H&M and Oasis.

Armani, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Tiffany & Co, Ferrari, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Paul Smith, Bulgari, Diesel and Miss 60 have all opened signature stores here, and high-end retail outlets such as Plaza 66 on Nanjing Lu, Three on the Bund and Bund 18 complement Nanjing Xi Lu's status as Shanghai's Fifth Avenue. Parkson on Shaanxi Lu, typifies the international-style department stores in the former French Concession area. You can find super-cool boutique clothes outlets, art galleries and design stores, opened by Chinese and international designers, at Xintiandi, Xinle Lu, Fuxing Lu, Taikang Lu and Changle Lu.

Further out of town, hypermarkets and mega-malls are sprouting on typically Chinese scale, with Ikea, B&Q, Wal-Mart and Carrefour operating huge premises. Ikea is at 26 Cao Xi Lu, while Carrefour operates six outlets, including 555 Biyun Lu, Pudong, and a mammoth store in Gubei favoured by expats.

For tacky tourist memorabilia, nowhere can beat the Yu Gardens and Bazaar. The most uniquely regional ware from Shanghai is the local blue cloth, patterned in blue and white and similar to batik cloth. The Chinese Printed Blue Nankeen Exhibition Hall, at 24, Lane 637, Changle Lu, is open daily 0900-1630, and is the highest quality producer of this.

You can buy beautiful Suzhou-style ladies' silk slippers in hand-woven patterns at Suzhou Cobblers, 17 Fuzhou Lu (near the Bund). Good-quality Chinese porcelain with hand-painted modern designs is available from Yuat Spin,1/F, Building 3, Lane 758 Julu Lu (near Fumin Lu), 1200-2200. Hu & Hu Antiques, 1685 Wuzhong Lu, by Laohongjing Lu, is a little way out of town, but is Shanghai's most reputable collector, restorer and vendor of genuine Chinese antiques.

Visitors should note that antiques over 100 years old are marked with a red wax seal and an export licence must be issued in order to take them out of the country.

Usual shopping hours in Shanghai are 1000-2200 although it is worth checking with individual shops in advance. VAT is charged at 17%, which cannot be reclaimed upon departure.