< Previous30 NOWADAYS MOST OF THE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN THE WORLD’S MARKET IS MADE FROM CHINA. THEREFORE, THE TRAVEL BUGS HAS WHISPERED ME THAT MY NEXT DESTINATION SHOULD BE WITHIN THE LAND OF THE DRAGON AND THE PURPOSE SHOULD BE JUST TO SHOP! AFTER THOROUGH RESEARCH OVER THE INTERNET, SHANGHAI WAS MY CHOICE AS IT IS A HUGE INTERNATIONAL CITY IN CHINA THAT COMES WITH A CONVENIENT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NETWORK. COMMUTING AROUND THE CITY IS HENCE DONE WITH EASE, PARTICULARLY IF YOU CAN GET THE HANG OF ALL THE HELPFUL APPS AND LOCAL PAYMENT CHANNELS. HERE ARE THE TRENDING SHOPPING SPOTS IN SHANGHAI TODAY TO BOOST YOUR ADRENALINE, REFRESH YOUR SPIRIT AND BRING BACK THE YOUNGER YOU. SHOPPING IN SHANGHAI THE BUZZ Text by Urasa Chittamvanich31 ➲ FARMER BOB’S CAFÉ South Shaanxi Road is a popular shopping street, where shops and department stores sit beside each other on both pavements under the shade of old trees. The café’s signature touch is, of course Farmer Bob, the art toy by Finding Unicorn. The café is separated from the shop, and features cosy seats around the artificial maze with Farmer Bob tucked in many of its corners, and more things to explore on the second floor. Farmer Bob fans will love the showcase of limited-edition designs in floor-to-ceiling size, and the massive figurine of Farmer Bob that welcomes everyone. SONGMONT Think of high-quality leather goods with classy designs, and Songmont’s flagship store in Shanghai will spring to mind. Its dedication to creating timeless products inspired by Oriental heritage, using fine craftsmanship and materials, is renowned. Each Songmont bag undergoes hundreds of steps from its design, raw materials and craftsmanship to result in a highly-refined finished product. The sleek shop on South Shaanxi Road is a nice statement of what brand’s philosophy. There are variety of bags in different styles, sizes and colours to glance and fall in love with. QINGZHI HAND CREAM An entire shop that’s dedicated only to hand creams, Qingzhi Hand Cream understands the different needs of different people for their hands. It has the right hand cream for every person with endless choices to choose from such as fragrance, texture and packaging (for example, according to zodiac sign or colour, etc.). I found it as a perfect hub to shop for souvenir to take back home for everyone. The cherry of the pie is, the wrapping presentation is jaw-dropping – even for a single tiny tube. In addition, while waiting for them to be wrapped, you would be given a coin according to the amount of your purchase to try your luck at the claw machine and win some extra ones, too!32 THE BUZZ POP MART There’s no hotter trend today than art toys, and the flagship Pop Mart store on the corner of East Nanjing Road is always packed with enthusiasts. Once you step inside the door, you will not be able to stop becoming lured by the cuteness factor of the main Pop Mart characters such as Molly, Dimoo, and Labubu. Keep an eye out for the exclusive and limited collections that are available only here, and don’t forget to make a stop at the section dedicated to the Pop Mart Beans series, the miniature designs that you can fill your new Pop Mart bottle with. If you just want to roam around the store, there are many in-high-demand designs you can take a selfie with. Apart from this flagship store, Pop Mart designs can also be found in many department stores about the city. TOP TOY Art toy afficionados will also appreciate a visit to Top Toy, with its family of characters very different to Pop Mart’s. The branch at Nanjing Road is two stories tall and full of very different designs from small to mega-size. The limited collections are very tempting, and Top Toy also offers toy sets for the young ones and those young at heart. 33 NANJING ROAD A mere 500-metre-walk from The Bund will bring you to the ever-busy Nanjing walking street. You can also get there on foot from East Nanjing metro station. This 5.5-kilometre-long, nearly 30-metre-wide walking street is the Shanghai sister of Fifth Avenue, Oxford Street, and Champs-Élysées with elegant boutiques and malls, both international and local, plenty of restaurants and cafés one after the other along both sides of the street. A mini-tram service is available for those who want to give their legs and feet a rest, and it will take them along the stretch from East Nanjing to People’s Square, which is the end of the walking street. ➲ M&M WORLD This haven for M&M chocolate-lovers offers a diverse range of merchandise with the colourful button chocolates as the theme, from tee-shirts to mugs, stationery, accessories such as key chains, and much more. In addition to all these goods, there’s a fun wall tunnel of M&Ms where you can pick up a bag and fill it with whatever and how much you’d like! – the price will be determined afterwards by the weight of the bag.Text by Chondarin Subarna Na Ayudhya COME SPA WITH ME Nestled within Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel, Quan Spa is an oasis of rejuvenation where every moment unfolds into a narrative of serenity and indulgence. As I stepped through its doors, I was greeted with warm smiles by the staff, known for their gentle hospitality, and welcomed with a glass of subtly-sweet bael juice. The spa exudes a modern elegance fused with traditional Thai charm that instantly calmed my senses and set the stage for a rejuvenating experience. The signature treatment here, Lanna Bliss, beckoned to me with its deep roots in Chiang Mai's cultural heritage. Choosing the aromatherapy oil for my treatment from a selection of luxurious options heightened my anticipation. After careful consideration, I opted for the opulent Glitter Shimmering blend, infused with rose and gold, to brighten and nourish my skin. My treatment began with a 30-minute, muscle-relaxing soak in a hot jacuzzi bath. Infused with organic mineral salts to detoxify and with rose petals scattered on the surface, the bath cocooned me and the gentle massage eased away the stresses of my day, as well as leaving my skin feeling deeply revitalised. After emerging from the jacuzzi, I showered in cool water before the next stage of my treatment – a 90-minute massage by a skilled therapist, using Glitter Shimmering aromatherapy oil I had earlier selected. INDULGE IN LANNA SERENITY 34 THE BUZZHer magic hands addressed my specific concerns by focusing on the tensions in my upper body, accumulated from long hours at a desk. Her expert touch with precise pressure worked wonders for me, melting away knots even I didn’t know I had and leaving my muscles more relaxed and supple. The massage was so blissful, in fact, that I drifted into a serene slumber and upon awakening at the end, found that not only was my body renewed but that my mind was also refreshed. Before bidding farewell to me, the therapist offered me a cup of revitalising lemongrass tea and small bites of local snacks. As I perused the spa's product shelf nearby, I discovered an intriguing sight – silk cocoons which are used in facial rejuvenation treatments that are exclusive to Quan Spa. My curiosity is now so sparked, I will certainly return to Quan Spa to try this! Each moment of my time spent here was a testament to Quan Spa's commitment to provide a transformative experience through thoughtfully curated details. Guests leave feeling renewed, rejuvenated and eager to return for more indulgence. 35 QUAN SPA AT CHIANG MAI MARRIOTT HOTEL 108 Changklan Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Muang Chiang Mai 50100 T. +66 (0)53 253 248 W. www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ cnxmc-chiang-mai-marriott- hotel/experiences/THE SPOTLIGHT 36 DUNK373839Next >