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6 Shanghai Tips for Spending Less Money 2011-05-04 15:16

Perhaps unlike any of the other largest cities in the world, Shanghai can be either formidably expensive or shockingly cheap. Like other big cities, there is a chic downtown district where any designer brand can be found and tree-lined promenades can be traipsed along, but there are also underground markets where shopkeepers holler to catch a passing foreigner's attention and the same “designer brands” can be bargained for and purchased for no more than the average price for a purse, watch, wallet, or belt (although I do not support brand piracy). Depending on how much local Shanghai life you are willing to embrace, it is possible to save a ton of money in the city and ease any lingering culture shock effects by taking a glance at your bank account and smiling.
A Good Read, Pt. 2: Used Book Stores and Online Shopping 2010-09-15 14:00

Part two in a series about where to find a good read in Shanghai
Part I, Fake Books and Bookstores
Part III, Libraries in Shanghai
A Good Read, Part 1: Fake Books and Bookstores 2010-09-08 16:25

Part one in a series about where to find a good read in Shanghai Part II, Used Bookstores and Online Shopping
Part III, Libraries in Shanghai

I must admit, I don’t read nearly as much as I should. My bookshelf sits there brimming with half-read titles still crisp from the press, some with the saran wrap still intact. But come this winter, instead of re-watching the same episode of Battlestar Gallactica for the 12th time, I’m going to get in touch with my inner bookworm and attack that imposing stack of books. But why do I have so many books I have never read? Where do they all come from?
Tailors v. Fabric Market: In Search of a Good Fit 2010-08-12 14:59

Taking a trip to the fabric market can be an exciting, if not sensory-overloading, experience. These are places where you can have custom-fitted clothes based on storefront samples, clippings from fashion magazines, or even of your own design. Those who want to design a piece of clothing for themselves (a dress, for example) can, theoretically, draw something to their liking, take it to any of the fabric stalls, choose a fabric and have it custom-made. But before you head out to commission a personalized tuxedo, be aware of the following things:
Groceries at my doorstep! 2010-06-18 16:13

You just finished work. It’s freezing outside. No wait, its summer. It’s sweltering outside and all you want to do is turn on the AirCon and make yourself a cold smoothie or enjoy an ice cold beer. Damn! Nothing’s in the fridge. I guess you can order from Sherpas for the fifth time this week…OR you could take advantage of one of the many popular means of grocery home delivery. Whether it is fruit, meat, or beer, it is probably available to you.
The Current State of Grocery Home Delivery in Shanghai 2008-08-02 10:27

Photo by svacher

With the proliferation of online grocery shopping sites popping, perhaps its a good time to step back and put up some community opinion that might help some of these players really offer something of value to the community.
Too Many Choices for a Night on the Town 2003-02-24 09:33

Photo by Cecil Lee

Shanghai has a lot to do. More than you could ever possibly do in one week, one month, and given how fast the city is changing.. even one year. Normally a night out encompasses drinks, dinner and perhaps some dancing or other entertainment. Depending on your budget, you have some tough decisions to make. There are several neighborhood spots that you could explore and find just about everything you want within walking distance. You might seek an upscale evening of fine dining and dancing with lots of choices for dinner and entertainment. Visit the East end of Huaihai Rd around the Huangpi Rd metro station. Within walking distance, you could have a good dinner every night for a month and not try the same place twice. Xintiandi is two blocks from here, Hong Kong Plaza is across the street, and a whole strip of neon-lit store fronts, restaurants, and upscale shopping await you.
Overview of the Shanghai Shopping Scene 2008-07-31 21:48

With Shanghai undergoing almost daily transformation, streets that used to be boutique shopping destinations for great deals are quickly being uprooted, moved or changed. The deals might be still out there but they are just not where they used to be. For instance, the neighborhood on Shi Men Yi Lu, used to be a favorite for my wife to find the best deals on export overruns and overstocks. She would always come back with 20 RMB outfits that looked great. That neighborhood is now under redevelopment. High-rise offices and more upscale restaurants dot the landscape and small boutique shops are on the way out. We will try to identify a few options here.
How to Buy From Taobao: Set Up Your Account 2010-05-27 17:22

Taobao, to some, is considered the eBay of China. While this is fairly close to the truth — random people can sell new and used items — I think of it as more as Amazon’s private dealer platform since the auction function isn’t overly popular at this time. Either way, if you are in China, you should be using TaoBao to get items that aren’t readily found at a reasonable price in China.
Buying Carpets in Shanghai 2010-01-04 17:40

Shanghai offers a tremendous choice of carpets, both new and old, but the choice can also be overwhelming at first. When buying carpets locally it pays to take your time, shop around and get to know the subject a little.