RT-Mart Supermarket: Shanghai Souvenir Shopping Guide (2026)
What to buy at RT-Mart for snacks, drinks, and gifts to bring home. The viral shopping destination for budget-conscious travelers.
RT-Mart: The Supermarket That Went Viral
RT-Mart (大润发) is a standard Chinese hypermarket chain—until travelers discovered that prices for certain snacks and products were 50% cheaper than back home. Now the Pingxingguan Road location sees hundreds of international visitors daily, drawn by word-of-mouth recommendations for nuts, alcohol, and China-exclusive snacks.
📅 Last Updated: January 2026 (verified on location)
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Location | Pingxingguan Road (平型关路店) |
| Hours | 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Payment | WeChat Pay, Alipay, Cash |
| Daily Visitors | 200-500 tourists |
Why Tourists Flock Here
The Nut Discovery
Travelers noticed that Three Squirrels (三只松鼠) macadamia nuts—a popular snack brand—cost roughly half what they’d pay elsewhere. Word spread, and suddenly RT-Mart became a pilgrimage site.
| Item | Price Elsewhere | RT-Mart | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Squirrels Macadamia | ~$25 | ~$12 | 50% |
Store Adaptations
Responding to the tourist influx, this RT-Mart branch added:
- Welcome signs in multiple languages
- Dedicated “popular items” sections
- Additional payment options
Getting There
Address
426 Pingxingguan Road (平型关路426号), Jing’an District
Metro
| Line | Station | Exit | Walk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Yanchang Road (延长路站) | Exit 3 | 10 min |
| Line 7 | Yanchang Road | Exit 4 | 10 min |
Hours
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Daily | 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
💡 Pro Tip: Morning visits mean fewer tourists and easier shopping. Evenings get crowded with tour groups.
What to Buy
1. Nuts & Dried Snacks
| Product | Brand | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macadamia nuts | Three Squirrels (三只松鼠) | ~¥40 | #1 seller, half price vs elsewhere |
| Pecans | Three Squirrels | ~¥35 | Buttery flavor |
| Almonds | Wolong (沃隆) | ~¥30 | Multiple flavors |
2. Alcohol & Beverages
| Product | Brand | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit liquor | Guolifang (果立方) | ¥15-30 | 15-23% ABV, fruity baijiu alternative |
| Mini baijiu | Jiang Xiaobai (江小白) | ¥10-25 | Small bottles, gift-worthy |
| Draft-style Tsingtao | 青岛原浆 | ¥10 | Fresh beer flavor |
💡 Pro Tip: Guolifang (果立方) fruit liquor is a local favorite—lower alcohol than traditional baijiu but more interesting than wine. Great to bring home.
3. Snacks & Sweets
| Product | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| China-exclusive Oreos | Unusual flavors (some very unusual) | ¥15-25 |
| China-exclusive Pocky | Variety packs | ¥10-20 |
| Lao Gan Ma (老干妈) | Famous chili crisp | ¥15 |
| Huang Run Ma (黄润麻) | Sesame snacks | ¥10 |
4. Drinks
| Product | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Yakult (养乐多) | Large bottles | ¥15 |
| Wang Wang Milk | Nostalgic Chinese milk | ¥10 |
| Herbal tea | Traditional blends | ¥8 |
5. Instant Noodles
| Product | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cilantro (香菜) flavor noodles | Controversial but fun | ¥5-8 |
| Mala spicy noodles | Hot and numbing | ¥5-8 |
| Hot pot seasoning | Make hot pot at home | ¥15-40 |
Shopping Tips
Budget Planning
| Shopping Level | Budget |
|---|---|
| Light | ¥100-200 |
| Moderate | ¥200-400 |
| Full haul | ¥400-800 |
Customs Limits
Know what you can bring back before you buy:
| Category | Typical Limit |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 1L, under $400 value |
| Cigarettes | 200 sticks |
| Perfume | 60ml |
| Total goods | $800 or equivalent |
⚠️ Warning: Exceeding limits means paying duties. Be especially careful with alcohol—1 liter maximum is common.
Packing Tips
- Fragile items: Cushion between clothes
- Alcohol: Must be checked luggage, not carry-on
- Snacks: Put on top to avoid crushing
Payment Options
| Method | Accepted |
|---|---|
| WeChat/Alipay | ✅ Recommended |
| Cash | ✅ |
| Foreign credit cards | ⚠️ Limited |
💡 Pro Tip: WeChat Pay is easiest. If you don’t have it set up, bring cash.
Other Shopping Options
If RT-Mart doesn’t suit your needs:
Ole’ Supermarket
Premium imported foods—wine, cheese, gourmet items. Higher prices, different selection.
Hema Fresh (盒马鲜生)
Alibaba’s tech-forward grocery store. Fresh seafood, modern shopping experience.
Convenience Stores (Lawson, FamilyMart)
24-hour options for quick snacks and drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use credit cards?
Some checkout lanes accept international cards, but WeChat/Alipay or cash is more reliable.
What if I have too much to carry?
The store provides boxes and tape for packing. For large hauls, some visitors ship items to their hotel.
Can I get receipts?
Yes—ask for 发票 (fapiao) at checkout.
Is there English signage?
Minimal, but you can shop by looking at products and prices.
Suggested Trip Timing
Shopping → Dinner Flow
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 4:00 PM | RT-Mart shopping (1-2 hours) |
| 6:00 PM | Nearby restaurant for dinner |
| 8:00 PM | Return to hotel |
Last Day Strategy
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | RT-Mart shopping |
| Noon | Quick lunch |
| Afternoon | Head to airport |
Related Guides
- 48-Hour Shanghai Itinerary - Includes RT-Mart stop
- WeChat Pay Guide - Payment preparation
This guide was last updated in January 2026. Product availability and prices vary.
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