Another iconic flower market to shut doors
Wanshang market, which has been operating for more than 20 years on Xizang Road S., will shut its doors at the end of July.
A notice reads "Good sales, final days."
Another downtown flower and bird market will soon disappear. Wanshang Flower and Bird market, which has been operating for 23 years on Xizang Road S., was supposed to shut down this week. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the market will stay open until the end of July, so that business owners can clear their stock.
Wanshang market used to be best-known by lovers of “exotic” pets like Chinese crickets and other insects. Like all other Chinese flower and bird markets, one can also find various kinds of products here, including planting supplies, traditional walnut accessories and natural ornaments.
Market info
Address: 417 Xizang Rd S. (by Dongtai Rd)
Opening till the end of July
How to get there: Metro Line 10 Laoximen Station and the market is about 400 meters away.
Wu Weimin, 69, started business in Wanshang market in 1997 and was among the first batch of stall owners. Wu currently sells pet insects and plans to move to a market on Renmin Road after Wanshang is closed. He said he hopes small vendors like him can have more operating room in Shanghai.
Hong Shousheng, 56, owns an orchid garden in Jiangqiao in suburban Shanghai. He has been selling orchids for 26 years. His business started in a flower and bird market on Jiangyin Road, which was closed years ago.
Ms Zhao, who sells clay pots, said her shop at Wanshang has a history of 14 years and it used to be run by her father. She has decided to retire after the market is closed.
Qu Guoqiang, 61, carves a birdcage part at a friend’s stall. Qu began mold carving when he was 7 years old. He revealed that the mold carving art by hand is facing extinction as computers are widely used now.
Many local residents come to seek last-minute deals.
A stall sells cages and food for pet birds.
Cricket lovers inspect large crickets known as guoguo. The insect used to be a Wanshang market best-seller and is popular in summer for the sound it makes. Sales of the insects are dispersed throughout the indoor market.
Stalls in the market used to sell kittens, puppies, fish, plants and traditional walnut and beaded accessories. Due to the pandemic outbreak, most pet stalls have been closed. Only fish sellers are still doing business.
