I have lived in Shenyang since 1996 and in that time the shopping experience here has really evolved!  When I first moved here I knew that there would be many things I’d have to do without—cheese, pizza, sliced bread, fresh homogenized milk in a carton, etc.  But almost overnight, so many different things were available that were previously impossible to find.

 It really is not difficult to shop here, especially now that so many modern shopping centers are opening up virtually every month.  There is now a Carrefour (a French supermarket/department store), a Wal-Mart, and even some shopping centers that could be classified as “malls”.
 
To be a successful shopper here in Shenyang you really just need to know a few things.  First of all, if you see something that you have never seen for sale before and it is something you would really like to buy, DON'T assume that because you see it one day that it will be there the next.  If it is a good price and you want it, buy it.  It may never be available again.

Next, if you are looking for imported products, such as cream cheese or breakfast cereals, those can only be found at a few stores which cater to foreign customers, such as Carrefour, Riverside Garden Supermarket, and Civic Moon near Riverside Garden).  You can expect to pay a bit more for these products but it is worth it when you want cranberry sauce with your Thanksgiving turkey dinner or cream cheese to make a cheese cake!

 The wholesale food market is a great place to buy in bulk and to get a cheaper price.  I like to buy things like canned goods and paper products there.  A myriad of other products are also available there, from fabric to spices!  It is a great place to go and scout  to see what is available.  But beware of “fake” name brand items.  Look carefully at labels to make sure it is really the genuine product.

Another one of my favorite places to shop is the Exhibition Hall.  It is chock full of vendors crammed into the old Russian-designed and built Industrial Exhibition Hall on Wenhua Street.  You can find everything there--clothes, cosmetics, plasticware, shoes, electronics, etc.  And a great thing about shopping at a place like this is that you have the opportunity to bargain with the vendors to get a good price!

Virtually any kind of fresh fruit, vegetable or meat is available here, especially in the local open markets. And relationships are everything here so once you have established a relationship with a seller you can trust it is best to continue to do business with that person so that you are sure you are getting a fair price. 

I hope you enjoy your shopping experiences as much as I have.  “One Stop Shopping” is actually possible here now and you can even stop at McDonald’s  or KFC for a bite to eat before heading home after a productive shopping spree!