Shanghai offers more than ready-made eyewear. From heritage brands with deep roots in the city to an eyewear mall known for value and efficiency, these spots make it easy to get prescription glasses, add some custom touches, and enjoy professional service.

01Maochang 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 professional eye examination service combining digital tools, personalized assessment, standardized procedures, and visual reporting. Customers receive a personalized visual record of their eye examination and can choose from eyewear brands from around the world for made-to-order glasses that suit different tastes and eyewear needs.

Address: No 642 Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu district

02Wu Liang Cai Optical吴良材眼镜(南京东路总店)

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 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 personalize both their glasses and accessories.

Address: No 456 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

03Shanghai International Eyewear City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 prescription details are sent directly to a partner workshop inside the building. Glasses with standard prescription lenses can usually be ready for pickup in about 20 minutes, while glasses requiring more complex custom lenses can often be completed in just two or three hours. On TripAdvisor, it ranks No 5 among over 600 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)