Shanghai malls have much in common: sky-roofs, elevators and escalators, air conditioning, lots of clothes, and shiny things hanging from the ceiling. Each mall does in fact have some qualities that may influence where you choose to spend your time and money. Here is a run down of the distinguishing characteristics of this city's most distinguished malls.

All malls are open from 10am-10pm

Plaza 66

The highest-end of all Shanghai malls, 66 is better for ogling then shopping.
Brands such as Christian Dior, Fendi, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Prada are sure to impress, but you may not find anything for less than RMB200.

The home decor level has some striking displays and couch prices that reach RMB20,000. Swanky spas and salons inhabit a floor, and there are a few art dealers scattered throughout the mall.

You can tempt vertigo and dine on the top-floor mezzanine, or stick to the ground level and have some coffee while listening to the live piano player.

Immaculately clean, 66's bathrooms would be at home in the best restaurant, custodians even scrubs the escalator grates. There are information booths offering English and Chinese literature about the mall and its special events.

Address: No. 1266, Nanjing Xilu, just east of the Portman
Tel:021-62790910

Citic Square

A seasoned-looking mall, Citic Square hosts names such as Max Mara, Alfred Dunhill, Esprit, and Lee Jeans, as well as Starbucks, CiticTravel Agents, Shoe and Key Repair, and Maya Audio Video. The most valuable find in this mall, however, is CNPIEC, a tiny foreign language bookstore on the 6th floor that carries mostly nonfiction.

On the ground floor replenish your wallet at the ATM and get information about Citic's upcoming fashion shows and photo displays.

Address: No. 1168, Nanjing Xilu, just east of Plaza 66
Tel:021-62180180

Westgate Mall

At the core of this 10-floor mall is an Isetan Department store: Guess, Clinique, Nine West etc. The mall proper has Versace and more high-fashion, but Westgate has a better range of prices than its neighbors. Here you can buy RMB200 chairs.

On the top floor there is a cinema, but the real highlight of Westgate's offerings
is the 5th floor, where you can find every imaginable brand of sportswear. From Converse to North Face, deals range from RMB190 for North Face socks to
RMB360 for Diesel sneakers. Actual sports equipment, however, is in short supply.

Address: No.1038, Nanjing Xilu, just east of Citic Square
Tel: 021-62187878

Grand Gateway Mall

This is what a mall should be. Steps and fountains lead up to the front entrance like an alter to commerce. Grand Gateway caters to local clientele, apparent by many Chinese stores and distinctively cheaper prices.

The sprawling range of stores suggests you can get anything you want here, at almost any price. You can buy T-shirts with iron-on graphics at Tang for RMB15-80 or tailored pants for RMB130 at Zhong Yuan Fu Shi.

There is an impressive Kids Village that has activities for children such as painting and games, a great stop on hot summer days. The top floor has a cinema and the bottom floor has a Lianhua Supermarket, a huge Sport City, an ATM machine, and direct access to the Metro (Xujiahui). This is the people's mall, and you can tell by the crowds.

Address: No. 1, Hongqiaolu, Xujiahui
Tel: 021-64070111

Times Square Mall

The crowd that hovered around Time Square's outdoor TV during the World Cup has not seeped inside; this mall is a great place to get some space.

The Lane Crawford department store sells Hugo Boss, Aigner, and Ermenegildo Zenga, while Esprit and Salvatore Farragamo have independent stores. It's a challenge to find a T-shirt for less than RMB150, but you can find all you golf needs at the Taylor Made golf store.

Other stores sell cameras and cell phones, but the coolest store in the mall is certainly Hong Kong Hong Kong, which displays wild clocks (RMB150), sleek mountain
bikes (RMB8800), and a life size trolley (not for sale).

Find home furnishings with trendy to classy styles in the basement. Coffee tables go from RMB1700-36700. Also below ground is the City Supermarket with its fresh
vegetables and spices, western deli, and reasonable prices.

Address: No. 99, Huaihai Zhonglu
Tel: 021-63910304

Super Brand Mall

The newest addition to the mall scene has a view of the Bund and potential. It's scheduled to open on July 18th.

Address: No. 168, Lujiazui Xilu

[CityWeekend]