Rongfu Building “fake goods” market to close temporarily — Sale time!

Following the closure of the infamous Xiangyang “fake goods” Market back in 2006, vendors have scattered all over Shanghai such as Qipu Lu but most have congregated in Pudong. The underground market by the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum remains the largest in terms of variety but we’ve found Rongfu Building （融福大厦）along Pudong Nan Lu, to be more convenient.

Located behind Times Square by a busy intersection of malls and restaurants, Rongfu is five floors of your favorite “brands” of polo tees, purses, silk table runners, Mao watches, and even a nail salon. Patrons are more often regulars which often means starting prices are lower but you have less room for bargaining.

Unfortunately, Rongfu’s vendors are packing up and moving due to building renovations which are likely to take place at month’s end. It’s not a collective move and where they will go in the meantime remains unknown. One vendor tells us that the S&T location is undesirable as shops close at 8pm whereas Rongfu is open till 10pm. Vendors have asked regulars to leave their mobile numbers so they can text them their next location.

The silver lining is that with the move, vendors are eager to sell off their wares to save on storage. Prices have been generously slashed and with each day nearing the move-out date, desperation builds and wills are waiting to be bent. If you’re lunching or living in the area, make it a point to stop by and pick up some bargains. We’ll be sure to update our readers on the whereabouts of our vendor buddies, so watch this space.

Rongfu Building
1271 Pudong Nan Lu
(close to intersection with Zhangyang Lu, opposite a Mcdonalds)