Shanghai's 'other' market

For Families Jiashan Market Designer's corner, skin care, wines and coffee, jams and chutney, sausages, organic food, fashion and vintage Entrances are at Lane 550 South Shaanxi Road and 259 Jiashan Road, Shanghai Every other Saturday 10 am to 3 pm Call 021- 5465 9519 for more information For Friends Flea Market by DreamsFactoryAsia Fashion, designs, vintage, toys, garments, tattoo Every month's last Sunday 11 am to 5 pm Entrance at Lane 565-9 Liyuan Road, Shanghai Call 021- 6305 6500 for more information For Grocery Shoppers Jing'an Market Wide range of food and fun Entrance at 425 Yanping Road, Shanghai Every month's second and fourth Saturday 10 am to 3 pm For Funks and Punks Uptown Market Music, food, vintage, crafts, fashion, 20 pop-up shops Entrance at 115 Pingwu Road, Shanghai Sept 30, 2 pm to 7 pm Call 021- 6223 8368 for more information For Night Cats DADA Night Market Music, dance, fashion, design, skin care, vintage, food Entrance at 115 Xingfu Road, Shanghai Oct 17, 8 pm to 12 pm

With an increasing number of markets across the city, Amelia says her jams and chutneys have more places than ever to meet their gourmets, adding that Shanghai's markets are enormously-attractive to many similar sellers and buyers.

Like Jessica Wong, who sells jewelry made of recycled materials including vintage buttons, wire used by electricians, and rhinestones from old dresses.

The city's markets have been the perfect places to extend her life-long hobby, into a business.

"When I was a little girl, I loved making small jewelry with plastic buttons, paper and even baking foil, but the only one who would wear my creations was myself. No-one would take me seriously," she says.

But two decades later, the trained paralegal says Shanghai's local markets have been the best places to relive her childhood dream.

"I make 10 or 20 sets in my spare time each week, but there is no need to rent a space at a shopping mall," says Jessica.

"It costs just 20 to 100 yuan per stall, per day in a market, a very small charge. And you don't need to worry about cost controls - all you have to do is enjoy making things you like, display them, and buyers who love your creations will show up," she says.

Yu Sisi is the coordinator of a flea market on Jumen Road, and says Shanghai's markets are places for "sharing, recycling, and having fun".

She says a lot of professionals, particularly those working in the creative industries, use the markets as a part-time second career.

"Anyone can be a stall owner for the day - to sell their wares, meet new friends, or maybe even meet the love of your life," she winks.

Zhong Tingting is a veteran market-goer who's visited hundreds of markets and bazaars around the world, and says Shanghai's compare with the best of them.

"There's still massive potential for more markets to startup in Shanghai.

"There's no end to the variety of markets here. Shanghai is such a varied city, and there will always be people looking to sell their own creations, and people willing to buy them," says Zhong.

wuyiyao@chinadaily.com.cn