The closure of Xiang Yang Market, for obvious reasons, has come upon us rather suddenly - in fact, the ever popular Shanghai fake market closes for good this Friday the 30th June, 2006.
We went last weekend to see what was happening and to ask where people would be going.
The first thing we noticed was the large number of stalls selling at fixed prices to clear out the stock. Most t-shirts were at 30RMB (I got some Ecko and Diesel shirts), most handbags and backpacks were going out the door for 30RMB each (we got a Nike backpack).
Belts, jewellry and many other items were all at fixed prices. I wouldn't be surprised if by now, or at least over the next few days, that virtually everyone will be selling this way. Dump the stock - make a few kuai.
Needless to say, this is a much more relaxed way to shop at Xiangyang market - very few people hassled us (except for the old woman who kept pushing bottles of cold water onto my arm - made me jump each time) and the not haggling part was nice as well.
We asked some of the vendors where they were going after the closure - none of them told us, they all said they didn't know. We did however get a number of business cards with mobile phones - the optimistic guy who sold me 13 pairs of black business socks said to call him soon for more. Actually, come to think of it, he isn't optimistic - he knows the quality - I guess I'll be seeing him soon.
So if you are after a bargain, get down to the good old Xiang Yang market before she shuts this Friday. There are bound to be bargains galore over the next few days as the merchants try to dump as much stock as they can. I think we will go have a look on Friday.
For those of you coming to Shanghai after the closure, don't despair, you will still be able to find bargains around. There might not be a single place where everything is concentrated, but you will find the merchants as they move on.
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Great blog...feel a close connection to this blog being chinese(albeit frm singapore), identify with the aussie parts too having studied in melbourne for 2.5yrs, and loved every minute i spent in Shanghai when i was there last yr.
Totally gutted that XiangYang market is closing down, was thinking of being the "ground head snake" to some family n friends come this december for a trip down to shanghai. Have to rethink now...thnx for the info Sabrina. YES!! XY market is indeed a big reason for visiting.
Posted by: deOnn | 28 June 2006 at 11:26 PM