Dongtai Lu market only exists in outdated travel guidebooks now—a relic of a relic, paved over in the name of progress. But the hunt for dusty oddities and vintage gems isn't dead, it's just gone underground. Here are three curious corners of Shanghai where the past is still for sale—if you know where to look.

Yangpu Flea Market

Tucked behind a park in a sleepy corner of Yangpu District, there's a market that feels like a secret handshake between old Shanghai and the city's bargain-hunting obsessives. Open only on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 6am to noon, the Yangpu Flea Market is a chaotic wonderland of dusty relics, strange collectibles, and the kind of haggling that could make your grandma proud.

Think: 20rmb film cameras, porcelain teacups for a couple of coins, piles of Little Red Books, old Shanghai license plates, and a stack of vintage New Evening News newspapers that still carry the scent of the 1980s. You'll also find jade trinkets, Cultural Revolution memorabilia, Mao-era abacuses, antique jewelry, secondhand clothes, and—if you're lucky—a CCD digital camera going for 30 kuai.

The crowd? Mostly local 爷叔 (yé shū, Shanghai pronunciation: 'yae shoo')—a term affectionately used for seasoned, gruff older men in Shanghai—gruff, seasoned, and ready to talk your ears off in thick Shanghainese. You might see a vendor toss their wares directly onto the pavement, no pretense, no curation. It's not a fancy place. It's noisy, a little smoky, sometimes muddy, and completely unfiltered. That's part of the charm.

It's "a place where old Shanghai whispers to you," and that's not far off. Between the sounds of bargaining and the thumping basslines blasting from a nearby stall selling retro electronics, there's a strange beauty in the mess. This is not your sanitized, curated vintage store. This is the real deal.

Tips for first-timers:

• Bargain hard. Start by cutting the price by a third (or more). If you're polite but firm, chances are they'll sell.
• Go early. By around 11am, many vendors start packing up.
• Watch your step. Some sellers leave fragile ceramic pieces right on the walkway. Knock one over and you'll be paying for it.
• Wear a mask. Between the crowds and the occasional smoker, it can get a bit stuffy.
• Bring some cash (just in case). While many vendors accept mobile payments, some of the older stallholders might still prefer cash, better to have a few bills on hand than miss out on a treasure.

Whether you're on a mission to find a Republic-era poetry book or just want to people-watch and soak up the retro vibe, Yangpu's flea market is a time capsule worth getting lost in.

Address: 701 Longchang Lu, near Kongjiang Lu
Opening Hours: Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, 6am–12pm

Yunzhou Curio Town

Tucked next to Exit 4 of Jiashan Road Metro Station, Yunzhou Curio Town is a downtown detour into the world of dusty treasures and half-forgotten history. The outdoor market—where the real charm lies—only pops up on weekends, with vendors laying out tarps along the lane that curls around the main building. Expect teetering stacks of vintage tins, military caps, enamel bowls, and the occasional relic you can't identify but suddenly need. Prices are negotiable. Haggling is the norm. Most start packing up around 5pm.

Inside, the Yunzhou Curio building is part antique mall, part storage unit, and part fever dream. Stalls open and close whenever the vendors feel like showing up, which just adds to the choose-your-own-adventure feel of the place. It's a winding maze of old crockery, opera masks, teapots, and vintage odds and ends. The top floor is where the die-hards go, with entire stalls dedicated to Cultural Revolution memorabilia, propaganda posters, and dusty coin collections under glass.

It's not flashy, and it's definitely not curated. But if you're into wandering through history one object at a time, Yunzhou's got stories to tell—you just have to dig a little. Want to go full nerd and catalog what you find? No one will stop you. Want to buy a beat-up enamel bowl for 10 kuai and call it a day? Totally fine too.

Address: 88 Damuqiao Lu, near Xietu Lu
Opening Hours: Indoors from 10am to 6pm daily; outdoor market stalls on weekends.

Pudong Mulan Huage (Magnolia Pavillion)

Despite the name, Magnolia Pavilion is no tranquil pavilion—it's more like a hoarder's warehouse of antiques stacked to the rafters. Nestled in with no signage (search 木兰花阁 on Baidu Maps), it's a sensory overload of smells, dust, and visual chaos. The kind of place that makes you want to buy everything and nothing at the same time. You'll have to dig through piles of junk to find the good stuff, but treasures are definitely in there.

Run by a husband-and-wife duo, it's got two claustrophobic floors, and the second one feels like it was added without anyone asking for permits. Prices aren't listed; just grab what you like and prepare for a showdown at checkout. The husband drives a hard bargain and doesn't speak English, so bring a Chinese-speaking friend—and maybe try negotiating through the wife, who's known to be more chill.

It's a trek—over an hour's drive from central Shanghai—so it almost feels like a purchase is mandatory to make the journey worthwhile. Pro tips: bring mosquito repellent if it's summer, avoid the bathroom at all costs, and carve out at least 1–2 hours to rummage properly. You'll almost certainly leave with something weird and wonderful.

Address: 140 Hangtou Lu, near Hangji Lu
Opening Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm