Your friendly, English-speaking tour guide will meet you in the lobby of your centrally located hotel and escort you to the highlights of Shanghai’s shopping scene. First stop: the South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market, a bustling hub of fabrics and tailors where you can have a suit custom-made to your measurements. Browse a huge selection of cloth—silks, wool blends, linens—and work with an experienced tailor to choose style, fit, and details. Tailoring is fast here; your guide will explain options for fittings and alterations so you get a perfect result.

Next, explore the lively City God Temple Bazaar, a maze of shops and stalls where you’ll find the best local souvenirs: delicate silk scarves, ornate fans, lacquered chopsticks, traditional sweets, and fragrant teas. Your guide will point out reputable shops, help with bargaining if you want to try it, and suggest authentic items that make great gifts or keepsakes.

After shopping, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the artistic lanes of Tianzifang. This converted alleyway area is full of independent galleries, boutique stores, craft shops, and cosy cafés. It’s a great place to discover contemporary Chinese art, handmade jewellery, and unique homewares, and to soak up Shanghai’s creative atmosphere.

To round out the experience, you’ll taste a delicious bowl of Shanghai-style sesame noodles—rich, nutty sesame paste tossed with springy noodles and garnished with scallions and a touch of soya. Finally, your guide will transfer you back to your hotel.