As a representative traditional Chinese dress for women, the qipao（旗袍） falls into four categories based on regional cultures and craftsmanship: the Beijing school, the Shanghai school, the Suzhou school, and the Lingnan school. Among them, the Shanghai school, or "Haipai" qipao, shines brightly in this city.

1.Recommended Qipao Shopping Spots

Tianzifang

This is a well-known art district in Shanghai's old lanes, featuring numerous unique boutiques and studios offering qipaos in various styles, from traditional retro to modern adaptations, priced between $40 and $80. It also provides custom-tailoring services, allowing experienced craftsmen to create one-of-a-kind qipaos for you. Shopping in Tianzifang's quaint lanes feels like stepping into an artistic atmosphere.

Shanghai Tang Flagship Store

Located on Nanjing West Road, this high-end qipao brand combines traditional craftsmanship with modern fashion elements. Its qipaos, made from high-quality silk and satin, come in a rich variety of designs, including traditional floor-length options for formal occasions and shorter styles for daily wear, priced between $200 and $400. Here, you can also enjoy professional fitting and styling services. The staff will recommend suitable qipao designs and accessories based on your body type, skin tone, and personal style.

H Armilton

Renowned in Shanghai's qipao world for its high-quality fabrics and exquisite craftsmanship. The qipaos here are diverse in style, with fabrics of excellent texture and beautiful patterns that highlight women's elegant curves. You can choose ready-to-wear qipaos or opt for customization, enjoying a high-quality shopping experience. The price of a qipao is about $300-$500.

Xiushui Street

This is a famous tourist shopping street in Shanghai, offering a wide variety of goods. The qipaos here come in various styles and price ranges, from traditional retro and budget - friendly mass - produced options to modern fashionable and high - end custom - made ones, with some room for negotiation. Additionally, Xiushui Street provides free image consultant services. You can预约 and receive makeup and styling suggestions from professional image consultants to help you select and搭配 the perfect qipao.

2.Tips for Purchasing a Qipao

Choose Suitable Fabric

The fabric of a qipao affects both wearing comfort and overall texture. Common fabrics include silk, satin, xiangyunsha, and cotton. Silk and satin qipaos have a soft luster and are suitable for formal occasions in spring and summer; xiangyunsha qipaos feature unique textures and patterns, making them ideal for elegant traditional qipaos; cotton qipaos are simple, natural, and breathable, perfect for everyday wear in autumn and winter.

The Importance of Custom - Tailoring

Qipaos require a high degree of fit to the body. Custom - tailoring ensures that every detail of the qipao perfectly showcases your figure. When opting for a custom - made qipao, it's essential to choose a tailor with extensive experience and technical expertise. They can accurately measure your body dimensions and make reasonable adjustments based on your body type to create a qipao that meets your expectations.

Qipao Maintenance

Qipaos are typically made from delicate fabrics and require special care. Avoid friction with rough objects while wearing a qipao, and clean any stains promptly. It's best to hand - wash the qipao using a gentle detergent. When not in use, store the qipao in a well - ventilated, dry place, preferably hanging it on a hanger to prevent wrinkles and deformation.

3.Photo Spot Recommendations

Shanghai Film Park

This park features old - Shanghai architecture and serves as a film - shooting base. You can experience different aspects of old - Shanghai here, such as the telephone booth and green train in the "Time Tunnel," the old - Shanghai - style buildings along "1930s Nanjing Road," the Shikumen lanes with a strong old - town vibe, and the Shanghai - style villa, the Maler Villa. It's perfect for shooting street scenes, vintage lifestyle photos, and elegant retro portraits. You can also take a tram to experience old - Shanghai transportation. To avoid clashing with the background, opt for a vintage qipao or long - robe in plain colors. Choose a time with ample natural light for photography, experiment with different angles, and use a large - aperture lens to blur the background and highlight the subject.

The Bund

As a iconic landmark of Shanghai, the Bund boasts a cluster of historical buildings along the Huangpu River, offering a stunning contrast with the modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui across the river. Wearing a qipao here allows you to capture the perfect blend of Chinese and Western cultures. You can take photos featuring the historical buildings of the Bund alongside the Oriental Pearl Tower, showcasing Shanghai's rich history and modern charm. The soft morning and evening light makes these ideal times for photography. When shooting at the Bund, utilize the lines of the buildings and reflections in the water for creative compositions that accentuate the qipao's elegant lines.

Wukang Building

This is an excellent historical building in Shanghai, with a unique style resembling the bow of a ship. It has become a cultural symbol of the city. The area surrounding the building is home to numerous cafes and shops, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely photoshoot. Capture the exterior of the building and its surroundings to showcase its architectural charm and the laid - back atmosphere of the area. Pair your qipao with props like coffee or fresh flowers to enhance the artistic vibe of your photos.

Yuyuan Garden

This is a famous historical site and a classic Jiangnan - style garden in Shanghai. Its exquisite pavilions, terraces, ponds, and rockeries exude a traditional charm. Strolling through Yuyuan Garden in a qipao allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of classical Chinese gardens and capture some stunning traditional - style photos. Photograph yourself in front of the pavilions, terraces, ponds, and rockeries to showcase the perfect harmony between the qipao and the garden's landscape. The qipao complements the classical garden, creating photos that beautifully capture the essence of traditional Chinese culture.

Chenghuang Temple

This is a famous temple and tourist attraction in Shanghai, known for its distinctive architectural style featuring red temples and golden decorations, exuding a traditional Chinese vibe. The surrounding area is filled with traditional snack stalls and handicraft shops, making it a great spot to experience traditional culture and local customs while wearing a qipao. Capture photos of the temple's architecture and festive activities to reflect the traditional atmosphere and lively spirit of the place.

Anfu Road

This is a landmark of Shanghai's artsy and hipster culture. Lined with plane trees, the road is home to numerous cafes, independent brand stores, and art galleries. Wearing a qipao here allows you to soak in the artsy atmosphere and capture stylish and culturally rich photos. Take photos outside cafes or in front of shop windows to highlight the qipao's fashionable appeal and artistic flair.

Tian'ai Road

This is a romantic road in Shanghai, adorned with love - themed graffiti and poems on its walls, with Luxun Park at its end. Wearing a qipao here adds a romantic aura to your photos, preserving beautiful memories. Capture photos of the graffiti - covered walls and romantic street scenes to showcase the qipao's romantic side and the theme of love.

Bund Promenade

This is a leisure and sightseeing promenade along the Huangpu River in Shanghai, offering breathtaking river views and vistas of the Bund's architectural landscape. Wearing a qipao here allows you to enjoy the riverside scenery and the gentle river breeze. Take photos capturing the river views and your leisurely stroll to highlight the sense of freedom. With the Huangpu River as the backdrop, your photos will beautifully showcase Shanghai's charm and the elegance of the qipao.

1192 Lane, Old Shanghai Style Street

This is an immersive experience area themed around 1930s Shanghai. It recreates the street scenes of that era, complete with Shikumen houses, rickshaws, trams, and other elements of the time. Here, you can experience a slow - moving tram, vintage shop signs, rickshaws in the corners, and Shikumen houses deep in the alleys, soaking in the old - Shanghai atmosphere. Additionally, this is a food street featuring various specialty eateries and long - established restaurants. Wear a qipao and take photos at the alley entrance, tram, or vintage bicycle. Choose dusk, enable portrait mode on your camera, and tilt the lens slightly upward for great results.

Ruilong Bridge

Ruilong Bridge is adorned with hydrangeas on both sides, which complement the cobblestone paths beautifully. Hydrangeas also line the riverbanks. At 5:30 PM, wait for the "pink - purple moment" during sunset. When the afterglow casts a gradient hue on the bridge's reflection, stand by the bridge railing, let a flower petal rest in your hair, and snap a photo—it's a breathtaking scene straight out of a Jiangnan - style painting.

4.Tour Recommendations

Day 1

The Bund → Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street → Yuyuan Garden & Chenghuang Temple → Lujiazui → Night View of the Bund → Ferry Ride

Start your morning at the Bund to capture photos featuring the historical buildings of the Bund and the Oriental Pearl Tower. Arrive before 8 AM to avoid crowds and get the perfect shot. Stroll from the Bund to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes along the way. Be sure to try the crab - filled soup dumplings and green cakes from Sheng Ji Cheng. Have lunch at a restaurant on the pedestrian street.

In the afternoon, visit Yuyuan Garden and Chenghuang Temple to immerse yourself in the beauty of a Jiangnan - style garden and the culture of Taoism. Explore the surrounding food stalls and sample traditional Shanghai snacks.

In the evening, head to Lujiazui to explore the iconic trio of skyscrapers. Consider visiting the Shanghai Tower's 118th - floor "Shanghai Peak" observation deck for a panoramic view of the city. At night, return to the Bund to admire its illuminated beauty. Take a 2 - yuan ferry from Jinling East Road to Lujiazui and capture a photo with both the Bund and Lujiazui in the frame.

Day 2

Wu Kang Road → An Fu Road → Sinan Mansions → Fuxing Middle Road → Tian Zi Fang → Xuhui Riverside

Begin your day with an early morning walk along Wu Kang Road and An Fu Road, admiring the old villas and boutique shops that line the streets. Soak in Shanghai's hipster vibe and enjoy breakfast at a café near Wu Kang Mansion. Have lunch at a restaurant in the vicinity of An Fu Road.

In the afternoon, visit Sinan Mansions and Fuxing Middle Road to explore historical buildings and cultural landmarks, experiencing the cultural essence of Shanghai.

In the evening, explore Tian Zi Fang, wandering through its alleys, browsing through handicraft shops, and savoring local delicacies. Discover unique items at the street - side artisan workshops. End your day with an evening stroll along the Xuhui Riverside, relishing the riverside views.

Day 3

Shanghai Film Park → Che Dun Ancient Street → Songjiang University Town → Thames Town

In the morning, head to the Shanghai Film Park. Don a qipao and wander among the old - Shanghai - styled buildings, capturing photos at landmarks like Nanjing Road, Shikumen lanes, and the Maler Villa. It feels like stepping back in time. Enjoy Shanghai - style cuisine within the park.

In the afternoon, visit Che Dun Ancient Street to admire its historical architecture and traditional handicrafts, experiencing the tranquility of an ancient town. Proceed to Songjiang University Town next, where you can explore unique shops and restaurants on campus, immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of youth and energy.

In the evening, make your way to Thames Town to marvel at its European - style architecture and lakeside scenery. Take a boat tour to fully appreciate the town's charm.

Day 4

1192 Lane, Old Shanghai Style Street → Rui Jin Park → Shanghai Natural History Museum → People's Square → Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street → The Bund

Start your morning at 1192 Lane, Old Shanghai Style Street, where you can stroll through Shikumen houses, rickshaws, trams, and other elements reminiscent of the 1930s. Soak in the old - Shanghai atmosphere and sample local delicacies. Then, head to Rui Jin Park to bask in the sun on the lawns and enjoy the park's scenic beauty.

You can also engage in recreational activities like playing frisbee or badminton. Have lunch at a nearby restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Shanghai Natural History Museum to explore the wonders of nature and expand your knowledge. In the evening, explore People's Square, home to cultural landmarks like the Shanghai Museum and the Shanghai Grand Theatre. Feel the cultural pulse of the city. Conclude your day with an evening visit to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street for some last - minute shopping and culinary delights before returning to the Bund.

When touring Shanghai, consider purchasing a Shanghai - style qipao. Stroll along the Bund and through Yuyuan Garden, experiencing the perfect fusion of qipao culture and Shanghai's unique charm. Create unforgettable memories that you can cherish forever.

Want to Wear a Qipao While Touring Shanghai? A Shanghai Cheongsam Shopping Guide (2025)

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