“The pearl of the orient” to its admirers, “the whore of the orient” to its detractors, Shanghai has been at the crossroads of eastern and western culture for over a century.
Today it’s one of the most dynamic and vibrant cities in the world, driven by the constant need to renew itself. Shop advertising and cutting-edge design have mushroomed in between traditional tea shops and dumpling stalls; but be warned, looking for genuine creativity is like searching for the proverbial needle in a 6,000 square-kilometer haystack. To ease your exploration, here’s a list of places that truly stand out when it comes to original, inspired designs.
Share this guide:
Not just a sculpture museum, but a semi open-air showcase of Shanghai lifestyle.
Handmade furniture from Taiwan that finds the balance between traditional and contemporary design.
Modern art in a great location surrounded by a dense concentration of craft shops and restaurants.
Great collection of items with a distinctly local touch: statues of chairman Mao, old socialist propaganda posters, hand painted tea pots and even clothes.
French/Chinese tea house extraordinaire; a feast for your eyes and palate.
Advanced gadgetry for the part of you that will never grow up.
Distinctly decadent, somewhat colonial yet modern design furniture and accessories.
One of the best places in Shanghai for designer ceramics and housewares.
If you can’t get enough of European design brands even when you’re traveling in Asia, then check out this store on the Bund (riverside). They have an excellent selection of cutting-edge contemporary design items, even for the most jaded of design cognoscenti.
Local designers/makers showcase their creations in this tiny shop just off Huaihai road.
The more adventurous among you can find a vast selection of adult toys and gadgetry here in a cozy and intimate environment.
Shanghai Sculpture Space
Out of the industrial ashes
Culture
Ancient and Modern
Chinese contemporary furniture
Shop
EYE Gallery
Shangheye
Culture
Madame Mao's Dowry
Procuring a piece of the Cultural Revolution
Shop
Song Fang Maison de Thé
The fine art of tea appreciation
Shop
Meat Puppets Collection
For the gadget lovers
Shop
Casa Pagoda
Eclectic chic
Shop
Spin
Timeless ceramic tableware
Shop
Loomoo Store
Tin toy nostalgia
Shop
Design Republic
Rediscovering design in everyday life
Shop
Weiwei and Black Head
Young designers inc.
Shop
Amy's Bedroom
Adventures in adult play
Shop
City Guides, unlike any other.
Join Unlike to share your places with friends and be inspired by discoveries from across the globe
Connect with Facebook
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
We will never post to your wall without your permission.
