On my last night in Shanghai, I wanted one last taste of where the real locals shop and eat. I found out that Qipu Lu is an off-beaten path in Shanghai and its name in English is known as Cheap Road. Basically, your dollar will stretch really far if you head on over to Cheap Road for some street food and inexpensive shopping.
Introduction to Shanghai
Chicago O’Hare American Airlines Flagship Lounge
American Airlines ORD-PVG 777-200 Business Class
Le Royal Meridien Shanghai Hotel Review
The Westin Bund Center Shanghai Hotel Review Part 1
The Westin Bund Center Shanghai Hotel Review Part 2
The Hongta Hotel Shanghai Review
Twelve at Hengshan Shanghai Hotel Review
Four Points by Sheraton Shanghai Pudong Hotel Review
My Experience on the Shanghai Maglev Train
The Sights and Sounds of Nanjing Road and the Shanghai Bund
The Sights and Sounds of the Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai
The Sights and Sounds of the French Concession in Shanghai
The Sights and Sounds of Pudong Shanghai
The Sights and Sounds of Qipu Lu (Cheap Road) in Shanghai
Scam City: Shanghai Edition
The Various Restaurant Eats in Shanghai
The Various Street Foods in Shanghai Part 1
The Various Street Foods in Shanghai Part 2
The Various Street Foods in Shanghai Part 3
Shanghai Pudong Airport First Class Lounge
Shanghai Pudong Airport Dragonair and Cathay Pacific Lounge
American Airlines PVG-ORD 777-200 Business Class
I carefully looked at the map of Shanghai and the easiest way for me to get there from Pudong was to get off at the Baoshan Road metro station.
As you can see, it’s a dense residential area surrounded by local businesses.
There is also a darker side of town which is steps away from the well-kept main road. This looks like your modern day Detroit with demolished houses and abandoned buildings.
I walked for seven minutes south of Baoshan Road metro station and found Qipu Lu.
Qipu Lu is a local shopper’s paradise. Racks of clothing can be seen displayed outside for sale. I’m sure none of the street vendors here have any type of permits.
There is even a vendor that will sell you a portable shopping cart for all your wares!
Of course, there are regular storefronts where merchandise is displayed neatly. Bargaining is expected everywhere in Shanghai.
If you can’t get enough street shopping, you can always head into one of the larger shopping complex malls. There really is no difference between the shopping mall shops and the street shops in terms of clothing.
If you need local produce, you can visit the nearby farmer’s market on Qipu Lu.
You can also find bamboo, fruits, and fresh live seafood.
If you’re hungry, there are endless street vendors that will sell you cheap eats for less than $1 USD.
