Shanghai offers more than ready-made eyewear. From heritage brands with deep roots in the city to a fast-moving eyewear mall, these spots make it easy to get prescription glasses, add some custom touches, and enjoy professional service in one visit.

Maochang Optical

茂昌眼镜

Founded in 1923, Maochang Optical is known for its expertise in eye testing and lens grinding. It was among the first brands to receive Shanghai Brand certification in 2018, and today it offers a service model centered on digital, personalized, standardized, and visualized eye exams. Customers can receive a visualized eye exam record, then choose from a wide range of global eyewear brands for made-to-order glasses that suit different tastes and wearing needs.

Address: No 642 Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu district

Wu Liang Cai Optical

吴良材眼镜

Wu Liang Cai Optical traces its roots to the reign of  Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) and is one of Shanghai's best-known long-established eyewear brands. Alongside regular prescription services, it offers a playful lens customization service: breathe on the lens, and hidden letters, numbers, or a chosen name can appear on the surface. The brand also plans to extend customization to items such as cleaning cloths, cases, and pouches, allowing customers to add a more personal touch to the whole set.

Address: No 456 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

Shanghai International Eyewear City

上海国际眼镜城

Shanghai International Eyewear City is a popular stop for visitors who want both value and efficiency. The mall offers professional lens processing services on site, so once a customer completes the purchase and eye exam, the data is sent directly to a partner workshop inside the building. Glasses with standard prescription lenses can usually be picked up in about 20 minutes, while more complex custom lenses can often be completed in just two or three hours. On Tripadvisor, it ranks No 5 among 620 shopping attractions in Shanghai and received the 2025 Travelers' Choice award.

Address: No 1688 Zhongxing Road, Jing'an district

 

Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce