Your Checklist for Shanghai Fake Markets: What to Look For
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Shanghai is a city of contrasts. On one hand, you have the gleaming skyscrapers of Pudong and the refined elegance of the Bund. On the other, you have the chaotic, sensory overload of its infamous fake markets. For many tourists, a trip to Shanghai isn’t complete without a visit to these bazaars of knockoffs, where you can find everything from counterfeit Rolexes to “Gucci” bags that cost less than a decent dinner. But navigating these markets is an art form. It’s a game of wits, negotiation, and knowing exactly what to look for. If you’re planning to dive into this world, you need a checklist. This is your guide to surviving—and thriving—in Shanghai’s fake markets.
Before you even start shopping, you need to know the terrain. Shanghai’s fake market scene has evolved over the years. The old classic, the Xiangyang Market, is long gone, but its spirit lives on in a few key locations. The most famous today is the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Market (often just called the “Science Museum Market”). It’s a sprawling underground labyrinth located near the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum metro station on Line 2. This is the epicenter of counterfeit goods in the city. You’ll also find Qipu Road, which is more of a wholesale district for clothing and accessories, and the Yuyuan Bazaar area, which mixes tourist trinkets with some fakes. For the truly adventurous, there are smaller, more hidden markets in the French Concession and around Nanjing Road, but the Science Museum Market is the main event.
Walking into the Science Museum Market is like stepping into another dimension. The air is thick with the smell of cheap leather, plastic, and sweat. Vendors shout at you from every direction, waving iPhones that aren’t iPhones and handbags that scream “luxury” from a distance but whisper “fake” up close. The lighting is fluorescent and unforgiving. The aisles are narrow, crowded with tourists from every continent, and lined with stalls that look identical. It’s easy to get lost, both physically and mentally. The key is to stay calm. Don’t let the chaos rush you. You’re here to hunt, and like any good hunter, you need patience.
Not all fakes are created equal. There is a massive spectrum of quality, from “so bad it’s funny” to “you could fool a professional.” Your goal is to find the latter. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to inspect on every item.
This is the main event for most shoppers. Counterfeit Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and Hermès bags are everywhere. But how do you spot a good one?
Stitching is the First Test. On a genuine luxury bag, the stitching is immaculate. It’s even, tight, and the thread color matches the leather perfectly. On a cheap fake, the stitches are often crooked, loose, or use a thread that is too shiny or the wrong color. Look at the edges of the bag, especially where the leather folds. If you see glue residue or uneven cuts, walk away.
The Hardware Tells the Truth. Real luxury bags use heavy, solid metal for zippers, clasps, and chains. The hardware should feel substantial in your hand. It should have a specific weight and a smooth finish. Cheap fakes use hollow, lightweight metal that feels like tin. Pick up the bag and jingle the hardware. Does it sound cheap? Also, check the engravings. On a real bag, the brand name on the zipper pull or clasp is crisp, deep, and perfectly aligned. On a fake, it’s often shallow, blurry, or slightly off-center.
The Smell Test (Seriously). Genuine leather has a distinct, rich smell. It’s earthy and natural. Fake leather, or “pleather,” smells like chemicals, plastic, or glue. If you can, bring the bag close to your nose. If it smells like a new shower curtain, it’s a low-quality fake. Some higher-end fakes use real leather, but it’s usually lower-grade and treated with chemicals to mask the smell. Even then, the scent is often off.
The Interior Lining. Open the bag. The lining of a real luxury bag is high-quality fabric or suede, neatly sewn and branded. Fake bags often use a cheap, shiny polyester lining that feels flimsy. Look for the brand’s logo pattern inside. On a real bag, the pattern is aligned and symmetrical. On a fake, it’s often crooked or cut off awkwardly.
Counterfeit watches are a minefield. From fake Rolexes to fake Omegas, the market is flooded. Unless you’re a watch expert, you’re likely to get burned. But here are a few things to look for.
The Weight. Real luxury watches are heavy. They use high-quality stainless steel, sapphire crystal, and solid movements. A fake watch is often surprisingly light. Pick it up. If it feels like a toy, it probably is.
The Movement. If you can, ask to see the back of the watch. Many fakes have a transparent case back showing the movement. Real luxury watches have beautifully decorated, complex movements. Fake movements are often ugly, stamped with cheap metal, and sometimes even have a plastic part visible. Also, listen to the ticking. A real mechanical watch ticks smoothly, often 4-8 times per second. A cheap quartz fake ticks once per second, with a loud, audible “tick... tick... tick.”
The Cyclops Lens. On a real Rolex Submariner or Datejust, the date window has a magnifying “cyclops” lens that magnifies the date by 2.5x. On a fake, the magnification is often wrong—either too weak or too strong. Also, the date itself should be perfectly centered in the window. Misalignment is a dead giveaway.
The Crown and Engravings. Look at the crown (the winding knob) on the side of the watch. On a real Rolex, the crown has a precise, deep engraving of the Rolex crown logo. On a fake, it’s often shallow, blurry, or missing entirely. The same goes for the engravings on the back of the watch and the clasp of the bracelet.
Fake iPhones, AirPods, and headphones are rampant. These are often the worst quality items in the market. They might look like the real thing, but they function terribly.
The Screen. On a fake iPhone, the screen is often low-resolution, with poor color accuracy and viewing angles. The glass feels different—less smooth, more plastic-like. Turn the phone on and look at the display. Are the colors washed out? Is the text slightly blurry? If so, it’s a fake.
The Weight and Buttons. Real Apple products have a specific weight and feel. The buttons click with a satisfying tactile feedback. Fake phones often have buttons that are mushy, too hard to press, or too loose. The overall weight is usually lighter than the genuine article.
The Software. This is the biggest tell. Fake iPhones run a modified version of Android that is skinned to look like iOS. It’s never perfect. Look for small glitches: icons that don’t line up, a Settings menu that looks different, or an App Store that doesn’t feel right. Open the camera. Fake iPhones often have terrible cameras, even if the lens looks real. Take a photo and zoom in. The quality will be noticeably poor.
AirPods are a Special Case. Fake AirPods are everywhere. The first thing to check is the pairing process. Real AirPods pair instantly with your iPhone with a smooth animation. Fake ones often require manual Bluetooth pairing. Also, check the sound quality. Fake AirPods usually have weak bass, tinny highs, and poor noise cancellation (if they claim to have it). The case itself is often heavier or lighter than the real one, and the hinge feels cheap.
Supreme, Off-White, Balenciaga, Nike, Adidas—you name it, they have it. But the quality varies wildly.
The Fabric and Print. For t-shirts and hoodies, the most important thing is the fabric. Real streetwear brands use high-quality, heavy cotton that feels substantial. Fake t-shirts often use thin, flimsy material that feels like a cheap undershirt. Look at the print. On a real Supreme box logo, the print is thick, slightly raised, and has a specific texture. On a fake, it’s often thin, flat, and may crack or peel easily.
The Tags and Labels. This is where the details matter. Real clothing has carefully designed tags with specific fonts, stitching, and holograms (for some brands like Nike). Fake tags often have typos, wrong fonts, or are attached with cheap plastic strings instead of thread. For sneakers, the size tag inside the tongue is crucial. Real Nike and Adidas tags have specific formatting, with the size, date of manufacture, and factory code printed clearly. Fakes often have blurry printing or incorrect information.
The Boost Technology (for Adidas). If you’re looking at fake Adidas Yeezys or Ultraboosts, the Boost sole is the key. Real Boost is made of thousands of tiny, fused pellets. It feels soft and bouncy. Fake Boost is often a single piece of foam that looks like a rubbery block. Squeeze the sole. If it feels hard and unyielding, it’s a fake.
Finding the item is only half the battle. Now you have to pay for it. The initial price the vendor quotes you will be absurdly high. They expect you to bargain. This is a ritual.
Start Low, but Not Insultingly Low. The general rule is to offer 10-20% of the asking price. If they ask for 500 RMB for a bag, offer 100 RMB. They will laugh, shake their head, and counter-offer. Then you meet somewhere in the middle. The final price for a decent fake handbag is usually between 150 and 300 RMB. For a watch, expect to pay 200-500 RMB for a decent fake. Sneakers are usually 150-250 RMB.
Walk Away. This is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. If the vendor isn’t meeting your price, thank them and start to walk away. Often, they will call you back with a lower offer. If they don’t, there’s another stall 20 feet away selling the exact same thing. Don’t get attached to a single item.
Pay in Cash. Cash is king in these markets. Most vendors accept WeChat Pay or Alipay, but cash gives you more leverage. It’s also easier to negotiate when you have physical bills in your hand. Avoid using credit cards, as the risk of fraud is higher.
Don’t Show Too Much Interest. If you pick up an item and your eyes light up, the vendor knows they have you. Maintain a neutral expression. Point out flaws in the item (even if they are minor) to justify your low offer. “The stitching is crooked here, see? I can only pay 100.”
Shopping at fake markets isn’t without its dangers. It’s important to be aware of the risks.
Is it illegal to buy fake goods in China? Technically, yes. In practice, foreign tourists are almost never prosecuted. The police in Shanghai have bigger fish to fry. However, you should be aware that customs in your home country may seize counterfeit goods when you return. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is known to confiscate fake items, and you could face fines. If you’re buying a fake Rolex or a Louis Vuitton bag, consider wearing it or packing it in your carry-on to avoid scrutiny. But the safest bet is to buy only for personal use and in small quantities.
The biggest risk is simply getting ripped off with a terrible product. Some fakes look great in the dim light of the market but fall apart the moment you take them outside. The glue melts in the Shanghai humidity. The zipper breaks. The fake leather cracks. This is why your checklist is so important. Inspect every item as if your life depends on it. If the vendor won’t let you examine it closely, walk away.
The markets are crowded and chaotic, making them a paradise for pickpockets. Keep your wallet in your front pocket, your bag zipped, and your phone secure. Also, be wary of the “bait and switch.” A vendor might show you a high-quality fake, then wrap it up and hand you a lower-quality one when you pay. Always watch them wrap the item, and check it again before you leave the stall.
Beyond the obvious luxury brands, there are some hidden gems in the fake markets that are worth your time.
Custom Tailoring. Some stalls in the Science Museum Market offer custom tailoring. You can bring a photo of a suit or a dress, and they will make it for you in 24-48 hours. The quality is hit or miss, but if you find a good tailor, you can get a bespoke suit for under 200 USD. This is one of the best-kept secrets of the market.
Chinese “Antiques.” The Yuyuan Bazaar area is full of fake antiques. They are not real, but they can be beautiful decorative pieces. Look for jade carvings, porcelain vases, and “Ming Dynasty” coins. Just don’t pay more than 50 RMB for any of it.
Tea and Spices. Some stalls sell high-quality Chinese tea, spices, and dried herbs. This is a safer bet than the electronics. You can find excellent oolong, pu-erh, and jasmine teas for a fraction of the price you’d pay in a tea house. Just make sure the packaging is sealed.
The best time to visit the Science Museum Market is late afternoon, around 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. It’s less crowded than the morning, and vendors are more willing to negotiate as the day wears on. Avoid weekends if possible, as the market is packed with local shoppers and tourists alike. Also, be prepared to spend at least two to three hours there. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Take breaks, grab a bottle of water from a nearby convenience store, and regroup.
Dress Comfortably. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing. The market is not air-conditioned, and it gets hot and stuffy. Leave your flashy jewelry and expensive bags at the hotel. You don’t want to be a target.
Bring a Friend. Shopping alone is fine, but having a second pair of eyes is invaluable. One of you can negotiate while the other inspects the item. Plus, it’s more fun to share the experience.
There is a certain code of conduct in these markets. Vendors are aggressive, but they are also human. Being polite and respectful goes a long way. A smile and a friendly “Ni hao” can lower the initial price. Don’t get angry if negotiations break down. Just move on. Also, never touch an item unless you are genuinely interested. If you handle a dozen bags and then walk away, the vendor will be annoyed, and you might get cursed out in Shanghainese.
The “Friend” Tactic. Some vendors will try to befriend you, offering you tea or a seat. This is a sales tactic. Accept the tea if you want, but don’t feel obligated to buy. They are trying to create a sense of obligation. Stay friendly but firm.
The Group Buy. If you are with a group, you can often get a better price by buying multiple items from the same vendor. Bundle your purchases and negotiate a bulk discount. This is especially effective for things like watches or sunglasses.
Once you’ve made your purchases, you’ll need to get them home. If you bought a lot, consider buying a cheap duffel bag from the market itself to carry everything. Be careful at the airport. If you have a suitcase full of fake goods, customs might flag you. Spread your items across multiple bags. Wear your new fake watch or sneakers through security. The goal is to avoid drawing attention.
Gifts for Friends. Fake markets are a goldmine for souvenirs. You can buy a dozen “Gucci” keychains for 10 RMB each and give them to coworkers. Just don’t tell them they’re real. They’ll know.
The Memory. The real value of the Shanghai fake markets isn’t the goods themselves. It’s the experience. It’s the thrill of the hunt, the chaos of the crowd, the satisfaction of a successful negotiation. Years later, you won’t remember the bag you bought. But you’ll remember the old lady who sold it to you, the way she laughed when you offered half her price, and the feeling of walking out of that underground maze with a victory in your hand. That’s the real souvenir.
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Author: Shanghai Travel
Source: Shanghai Travel
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