Yixiulou — Attraction in Shanghai

Located in front of the Yuyuan Gardens, the Yuyuan Bazar, also known as the Old Town Bazaar has shops selling an array of Chinese handicrafts and textiles. At this market, visitors will be dazzled at the array of products that can be purchased at a bargain.

The location of the Yuyuan Bazar was once a residential area near the Yuyuan Gardens. Later it became a place of trade for traditional arts and crafts and remains so till today. The Bazar covers an area of over 50 hectares with 3000 shops and nearly 10,000 vendors selling second-hand goods in addition to antiques and handicrafts. Nearly 60,000 tourists visit the market every day to haggle over a price and buy traditional Chinese food, shoes, jewelry, textiles, jade, wooden chopsticks, watches, clocks and caps.

The Yuyuan Bazar is particularly attractive during spring when the city celebrates the lantern festival on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, during which the market and the Old Town are decorated with lamps and lanterns. Traditional music is played adding to the festive atmosphere. This is also the busiest time of year at the market when the prices charged by the traders are higher than usual.

Opening Hours...

This is such an amazing place in terms of architecture. The shops are clearly geared toward tourists so things can be a bit pricey, but don't be afraid to do a bit of haggling with the local traders, you will find that you can get the prices right down.

The bridge and gardens are accessed by walking down the narrow shopping streets. There is also some good street food here as well, including some very good dumplings! Also, be sure to check out the store which sells the chopsticks as it is a great quality place...

If you want a market experience in older Chinese buildings, here's your chance. I think you can find just about any kind of Chinese souvenir or edible thing. The buns and dumplings are particularly good.

There will be a lot of people here at any time, but if I can suggest a warning-do not come during National Holiday. Seriously, you do not know the meaning of the word "crowd" until you've seen what shows up here during...