Shanghai Style | Why travelers are getting spectacles in Shanghai

A practical stop for overseas visitors

An Italian traveler living in Spain recently visited the market with his Argentine girlfriend. They ordered four pairs of glasses during their trip, spending roughly 1,200 yuan ($176.37) in total.

The two praised the efficiency of the process, from eye exams to finished products, as well as the breadth of frames and lens options available in one location.

At Lucy's Store (Ziye Optical), manager Tong Qingying communicates with customers in English to explain lens technology and eye exam results. The store also provides English-language eye charts and reading materials for vision testing. Its optometry area includes both the "E" chart commonly used in China and the Snellen chart widely used in the West, creating a professional and accessible experience for international customers.

Glasses in as little as 20 minutes

One of the market's defining features is its rapid production process. Unlike traditional optical shops that send prescriptions to external labs, Shanghai International Eyewear City processes lenses on-site. After customers complete their eye exams and select frames, prescription data is immediately transferred to partner workshops within the market.

According to market management, standard prescription lenses can be completed in around 20 minutes, while more complex or customized lenses typically take two to three hours. For international travelers, this speed allows shopping to fit conveniently into a short stay.

From eyewear to wider consumption

Located in the West Nanjing Road-Suhewan Central Activity Zone, the market is surrounded by shopping centers, boutique supermarkets, cafes, and leisure spaces, including the Suzhou Creek waterfront walking area. A trip for glasses can naturally extend into shopping, dining, and sightseeing nearby.

The Italian traveler and his girlfriend, for example, spent part of their wait at a Freshippo supermarket about 600 meters away, describing the experience as an unexpected highlight of their trip.

Quality services for international visitors

As the market attracts more overseas visitors, Shanghai International Eyewear City has focused on improving both service quality and customer experience.

The space was designed to feel more open and transparent than many traditional wholesale markets, with lower counters that allow visitors to view the entire floor. Management has also strengthened oversight of product labeling and lens processing, ensuring merchants provide the exact brands and models specified by customers.

Bilingual signage is being expanded throughout the market, and many service counters now offer enhanced foreign-language support. Merchants are also improving their English communication skills to better serve international customers.

These changes reflect a broader effort by Shanghai to improve the consumption environment for international visitors. Measures such as wider international bank card acceptance, more convenient departure tax refunds, stronger bilingual support, and enhanced consumer protection are helping local businesses meet growing international demand.

If you go

Shanghai International Eyeware City (国际眼镜城)
Address: No 1688 Zhongxing Road (中兴路1688号), Jing'an district
Business hours: Daily from 9 am to 7 pm

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Jing'an district government, and Shanghai Committee of the Communist Youth League of China