Shanghai tailoring hub becomes a must-visit destination for global travelers

A clothing store employee takes measurements for a French tourist at the South Bund Custom-Made Center in Huangpu district, Shanghai, on July 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Foreign tourists and a shop owner discuss details of tie embroidery at the South Bund Custom-Made Center in Huangpu district, Shanghai, on Aug. 4, 2026. (Photo/Wang Chu)

Photo shows the South Bund Custom-Made Center in Huangpu district, Shanghai. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

On Tripadvisor, the globally renowned travel review website, the South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market, or the South Bund Custom-Made Center, ranks second on its list of Shanghai's top attractions.

Located in Huangpu district, the tailoring center specializes in fabrics and made-to-measure clothing. With a wide range of fabrics, skilled tailoring and flexible, attentive service, it has in recent years become a popular destination for foreign tourists seeking custom-made clothing.

"This is the first stop on my trip to China. I'm here to have a suit made for myself," said Hugo, a young French visitor.

The three-story building covers more than 10,000 square meters and houses 285 shops offering a dazzling array of clothing, including suits, leather jackets, qipaos and evening gowns. Visitors of different backgrounds weave through the market as shop assistants greet them in English, French, Italian, Spanish and other languages, inviting them to browse. Bilingual signs are prominently displayed throughout the market, while many shops also post their overseas social media accounts at their entrances.

"A friend who had visited Shanghai recommended this hidden gem to me," Hugo said. On this trip, he wanted not only to visit the city's landmarks but also to immerse himself in the everyday life of local people.

The center has seen about a 30 percent year-on-year increase in visitors since the beginning of this year, with foreign customers accounting for 60 percent of the total, according to data.

The market's international appeal dates back many years.

Zhang Shengxiang, general manager of the South Bund Custom-Made Center, said custom-made garments cost just one-third or even less than comparable products overseas. The influx of foreign visitors during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo further boosted its reputation overseas.

Why is the South Bund Custom-Made Center so popular among foreign tourists?

"It's not just about competitive prices," said Yue Wenrong, owner of a shop. Yue has more than 20 years of experience in custom tailoring and is one of the market's veteran shop owners. As both a salesperson and a tailor responsible for taking measurements, he has developed a keen eye for subtle differences in customers' body shapes.

For foreign tourists who have traveled a long way to Shanghai, such meticulous tailoring is particularly important. Many overseas visitors have different body shapes and clothing habits from Chinese consumers, requiring shopkeepers to communicate patiently with them and carefully consider the cut, fabric and finishing details.

Speed is another major advantage of the center.

"After entering China, I came to a shop at the center first to place my order. A few days later, I could pick up the finished suit before leaving Shanghai. The whole process was professional and efficient," Hugo said. For a short-term visitor like him, such a quick turnaround is highly convenient.

Backed by the Yangtze River Delta's robust supply chain and the standardized factory production adopted by many shops, customers can have their garments ready as soon as the next day.

The center also offers a range of convenient cross-border services.

"We have brought logistics providers into the market, allowing finished garments to be shipped directly to more than 170 countries and regions worldwide," Zhang said. The market has also installed foreign-currency exchange machines to meet the cash-exchange needs of international visitors, he added.

The Chinese aesthetics woven into every stitch make the center a window through which visitors can experience Shanghai's local way of life and gain a deeper understanding of China's clothing culture.

"I wasn't planning to buy any clothes, but the qipaos here were so beautiful that I fell in love with them at first sight," said Katherine, a tourist from the United States, who had originally come to the market simply to accompany a friend. She was captivated by the qipaos on display.

"The delicate embroidery and elegant cuts are completely different from Western styles. Their distinctive Eastern charm really caught my eye," she said. Katherine said she was captivated by the elegance and exquisite craftsmanship of Chinese clothing and immediately placed an order. For her, having clothes made here was a unique cultural experience.