Shanghai Is Dying: What Happened to China’s Richest City?

"My God — is it really this hard to run a real business now? I walked through the Aegean Shopping Park in Minhang, Shanghai, and what I saw shocked me: rows and rows of shuttered shops. Some never even opened properly before going dark. It’s chilling. Sisters in Fengxian, how would you describe 2025 in four words? I’ll start: “deep water, burning fire.” Can you believe this? This is central Shanghai — right next to Ruijin Hospital — an entire row of empty storefronts. The market feels lifeless. Even the so-called “Magic City” has lost its sparkle.
Last weekend I went to IFC Mall, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. On a Saturday afternoon, the first floor was nearly empty. The once-famous Hermès line? Gone. At the cosmetics counters, only staff were left standing. My favorite little French bistro near the Apple Store? Closed. A prime location — now silent and wasted. Only the Apple Store still seems to have a pulse.

#china #chinatruths #chinanews"