The Shanghai Fake Market is one of the city’s more unusual shopping detours: an underground maze of small shops where scarves, football shirts, luggage, toys, and souvenirs compete for your attention. In our video, the transition is almost instant—one moment you’re in a Metro passage, and the next you’re surrounded by bright signs and packed storefronts.
This guide follows our Shanghai Specials walkthrough, with practical advice on finding the market, browsing the stalls, and bargaining without feeling pressured to buy. You can enjoy the visit even if you leave empty-handed.
Where is Shanghai Fake Market?
The market featured in the video is in the underground shopping passages at Shanghai Science and Technology Museum station on Metro Line 2, in Pudong. The entrance shown in our footage is signed S.C.Plaza.
Travel guides also use names such as AP Plaza and Xinyang Market for the shopping complex around this station. When navigating, the station name is a more useful starting point than expecting every entrance to display “Shanghai Fake Market.”
| Planning detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Metro stop | Shanghai Science and Technology Museum — 上海科技馆 |
| Metro line | Line 2 |
| Route | Underground passages near Exit 7; look for shopping signs and the S.C.Plaza entrance. |
| Visit style | Browse, compare stalls, and decide whether anything is worth buying. |
The Science and Technology Museum’s official transport page confirms the Line 2 station. Within the station, follow current signs: the exit reference above describes the route in our video, rather than a guarantee that every passage will remain unchanged.
What will you find inside?
The appeal is the variety. One stretch of shops has sportswear and football shirts; another switches to shoes, bags, suitcases, watches, jewelry, and small gifts. The footage also shows colorful scarves, qipao-style dresses, and shelves of collectible figures.
Some storefronts look polished, while others have the crowded feel of a traditional market stall. Take your time looking around before deciding what interests you. Similar products can appear in several shops, and the first option is not necessarily the best choice.
A useful approach is to make one complete loop before you stop to negotiate. Notice which stalls carry the type of item you want, compare its condition and finish similar stalls, and only then ask about prices. If you are choosing a souvenir, think about whether you actually like it and have room to take it home.
How to bargain at Shanghai Fake Market
Preparation is more useful than aggressive bargaining. There is no universal discount that works at every stall, and a large reduction from an opening price does not automatically make something good value.
- Check comparable prices beforehand. Give yourself a realistic reference for the kind of item you are considering.
- Compare several stalls. Look at quality as well as the quoted price.
- Choose your maximum before negotiating. Decide what the item is worth to you, rather than letting the opening price set your budget.
- Keep the conversation friendly and clear. You can ask for a better price without turning the exchange into a contest.
- Walk away if it does not suit you. Browsing does not create an obligation to buy.
Before paying, inspect the exact item you will take away. For practical purchases such as bags or luggage, check the parts you will use—zips, handles, seams, and wheels. Do not let the excitement of a negotiation replace that final check.
What is the atmosphere like?
Our walkthrough shows shoppers moving between tightly packed displays, stopping to compare items, and chatting with sellers. English appears on several storefronts, and the video describes visitors bargaining in English. That can make the setting feel approachable, though the experience will vary by shop.
Some aisles are lively and others quieter. Treat the scenes as a snapshot of the visit rather than a promise about the crowd on any particular day. If sales attention makes you uncomfortable, go with a friend and keep moving until you find a shop where you feel at ease.
What does “fake market” mean for shoppers?
The nickname is widely used by travelers, but it should not be treated as a product description or a guarantee of authenticity. A familiar logo, attractive display, or confident sales pitch does not establish that an item is genuine.
Our video documents the market as a city experience. The most useful mindset is curiosity with realistic expectations: look closely, compare thoughtfully, and feel free to buy nothing.
Pair the market with a Pudong outing
The video suggests combining a look around the market with other places in Pudong, including Century Park or Shanghai Museum East. If you choose the museum, its official visitor information lists the same Line 2 station, using Exit 8. Check its current visiting arrangements separately before planning your day.
For more ideas beyond the market, see our guide to things to do in Shanghai.
Shanghai Fake Market FAQs
Which Metro station should I use?
Use Shanghai Science and Technology Museum station on Line 2. Our video follows underground shopping passages near Exit 7 and shows an S.C.Plaza entrance.
Do I have to bargain?
No. You can simply browse. If you decide to buy, comparing stalls and setting a budget will help you judge whether the price works for you.
Is it worth visiting if I do not want to shop?
It can be an interesting short detour if you enjoy market scenes and are already exploring Pudong. Its appeal is the browsing experience; there is no need to turn it into a shopping mission.