Shanghai China's Xiang Yang market is one of the favorite tourist shopping stops in Shanghai. The Xiang Yang market offers both tourists and locals the opportunity to shop for many types of famous brand knock-off products at bargain prices. It helps to understand the customs and practices of shopping at Shanghai Xiang Yang and most of the rest of China before embarking on this adventure.

Shanghai's Xiang Yang market is located in the central shopping district of Shanghai making it easy to find. It is on HuaHai Central Road, one of two main shopping streets in Shanghai, near the intersection with ShanXi South Road. The Xiang Yang market can be easily reached by taxi, or from the Shanghai subway line 1, getting off at the Shan Xi Nan Lu stop. Walk west on HuaHai Road about 1/2 block and follow the crowd into the market.

Upon entering the market, visitors will be approached by hawkers offering watches, DVDs, purses, etc. Pass them by and continue into the main part of the Xiang Yang market where there are hundreds of small booths offering products of all varieties. Included are shirts, ties, watches, sunglasses, golf clubs, jackets, coats, backpacks, ladies handbags and a wide assortment of other items.

If asked, the clothing vendors will usually tell you that the products are genuine and overruns from the China factories. In most instances this is not true and the products are copies of the real thing. If you don't care and realize what you are buying, there are good bargains to be found.

Price haggling is the norm and is expected in Xiang Yang market as in most places in China. Initial price offerings to foreigners will be 3-4 times the local price, but many still consider it a good deal and pay anyway. The best advice is to offer no more than 15-20 per cent of the first offered price and gradually negotiate up to no more than 30-35 percent, depending on how badly you want it. At that point, start to walk away and your offer will likely be accepted.

In Chinese price bargaining, if you offer a price and it is acccepted, it is considered extremely poor form to then change your mind and either decline the purchase, or start bargaining again. A deal is a deal.

The Shanghai Xiang Yang market is very crowded and the only danger is that of occasional pickpockets. Secure your valuables as you would in any other crowded urban surrounding.

Xiang Yang market shopping is one of the "must dos" for visitors to Shanghai and is a good way to spend a half day before returning home.

For more information regarding China culture and etiquette, please visit www.doingbusinesschina.com

This article is written by Walter Johnson, an Associate of PATWORKS, LLC., China consultants for sourcing, manufacturing, project management and China business practices. For further information about PATWORKS service, please visit http://www.patw-china-consultant.com/