China's reputation for manufacturing electronics has only been growing, as has the availability of products domestically. In Shanghai, Metro City is one of the catch-all electronics shopping centers. An Epcot Centre-esque glass geodesic dome appropriately hints at eight floors of technological goodies to be found within.

The space inside is definitely less claustrophobic than other electronics markets, with a huge open area filling the core of the mall. Retailers focused on computers, cell phones, cameras, and stereo equipment of high and low quality are shelved along the perimeter.

If you want authentic goods, they can be found here. But there could possibly be some inauthentic goods mixed in amongst them. There may also be authentic goods being sold in the "grey market" possibly having been smuggled in from Hong Kong tax-free. Rumor has it that some "knock-off" products are as good as overpriced originals (whereas others will triumphantly race to the rubbish bin).

Official stores will have set prices, but in the upper market levels, buyers are being advised to get an idea of what going rates are before bargaining away with dealers.

Note that Metro City isn't just for the geeks. Unless those geeks also want to pick up some Victoria's Secret lingerie along with their portable hard drives. In fact, an impressive array of clothing stores and restaurants has diversified the tech hub. And for entertainment, there's Kodak ultra-extreme Movie World, Sega Amusement City, and (of course) KTV for the karaoke gang.

Address: No. 1111, Zhaojiaobang Road

Getting there: From Metro Line 1 Xujiahui Station, walk a few minutes east.

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