“Shanghai|turnSTYLE: Francine Martin, Shanghai Savant”, by Justina Headley Chen, September 15, 2008

Luxe Shanghai City Guide, April 2008 edition

http://www.walkshanghai.com
Architect and author of Shanghai Architecture, Anne Warr's walking tours of old and new Shanghai bring the city alive.
http://www.shanghai-jews.com
Comprehensive, culturally sensitive historical tours of Jewish Shanghai by documentarist Dvir Bar-Gal.
http://www.shanghaiculture.com
Art guide and consultant Xhingyu Chen customises art and culture tours with a focus on contemporary Chinese works.
http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com
The quintessential Shanghai experience for ambience, view along the Bund, food and service. Lunch, brunch, or dinner.
http://www.urbnhotels.com
Creative design, a restaurant that delivers, and responsive staff make URBN a unique Shanghai boutique hotel.
http://www.shopinhongkong.hk
Ellen McNally's pocket-sized insider guides enrich shopping experiences in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.





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Oct 25, 2009

Yesterday was a pleasure and a delight. I had a terrific time. To be honest, I was a bit nervous about spending the day with someone I didn't know, but I found our conversation flowed like old friends from the moment we met. You made the experience very relaxed — I never once felt that there was any pressure to buy or see something I wasn't interested in. Thanks.

David Bell
Hong Kong/Australia


Aug 3, 2009

We all had a great day yesterday and we could have spent a lot longer with you. We all kept talking about it for the rest of the day. M was a perfect way to finish the day - we loved it.

You took us to all the right places and you were able to gauge what we wanted to see before you even met us and so it was just perfect. You are clearly so well connected and in touch with all that is happening in Shanghai. I would recommend to everybody visiting Shanghai to spend time with you during their stay. I wish I had found you at the beginning of my stay in Shanghai and not the end!

Kathy Honeywood
Josh Wood
London, UK


July 25, 2009

If you want to do some serious Shopping, don’t speak Chinese, feel a bit intimidated by Shanghai, and are looking for unique souvenirs, you will waste your time and money if you don’t hire a guide. As far as I can tell from all the reviews out there and our personal experience, the absolute best choice in Shanghai is Francine Martin of East of the Sun for a quality outing to interesting shops that matched our taste and budget, and overall experience. A highlight of our amazing 10 days in China was our two shopping outings with this experienced shopper. We wanted to make some typical purchases (custom tailoring, silk items and art), but were also looking for unique finds and experiences.

Our five custom-made suits (for me, my husband and son) and other outfits came out beautifully; Francine steered us to an excellent tailor among the dozens at one of the fabric markets, helped choose fabric, and bargained for us. Her facility with Chinese + ease with cultural nuances are fascinating. She seems to push negotiations to the limit, yet all parties departed amicably. Later that day she took us to a trove of quality silk gift items in a run-down building on a neglected lane.

As the hired van took us around (it was great to have a reliable place to leave our purchases), Francine sprinkled our conversation with interesting historical facts and stories. She also walked us down some historical lanes we would never have known of or felt confident investigating on our own. The local life we observed make for some of our most vivid memories of Shanghai.

I wanted to get some of my favorite silver and gold jewelry copied, so Francine took me to her trusted jeweler, and he did an outstanding job! At another shop, Francine helped me find the perfect earring setting, then negotiated the price of Tahitian black pearls (about a third of what they might sell for in the US) to go into the setting.

I mentioned to Francine I had no interest in purchasing knock-off handbags, but hoped to find that perfect bag I’d been looking for the last couple of years. She took me to a teeny little shop with exquisite leather handbags at reasonable prices, and I found my dream bag plus six more! This shop doesn’t even have a business card.

For elegant Asian antiques and contemporary art Francine took us to a gallery in an old, gorgeously appointed mansion (by appointment only). We fell in love with one of their artists’ work, and that piece now serves as a heartwarming reminder of the lifetime of memories we had in Shanghai this summer. You can read about her on your own at http://www.eastofthesun-asia.com/about.html and http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/21/080721fa_fact_marx?currentPage=1

Michelle Marks
Cabin John, MD


July 11, 2009

Francine made a free afternoon in Shanghai a wonderful experience for my wife, myself and our two children. She expertly navigated us around the city to shops we would never have found on our own, and we all took home unique and wonderful treasures. She was very considerate of our two sons and was sure to include shopping ideas for them as well. Her bargaining skills discounts at certain shops were bonuses. Francine was professional and energetic, and was a great guide to the sights of Shanghai as well.

Keith Rubin
Wilton, CT


Nov 14, 2008

I am amazed and so thankful for the in-depth knowledge, uplifting experiences and flavor of Shanghai you provided for me. The seven hours spent with you, as my personal shopping guide were unforgettable. Your command of the language and navigation skills are enviable. You helped me locate wonderful art, jewelry, antiques and unique Western style clothing that would never have been available to me otherwise.

I hope to return some day soon, and look forward to exploring new areas and shopping with you. I will definitely pass your name along to anyone I meet going to Shanghai so they can benefit as I did.

Thank you again.

Jacqueline Scheck
Chicago, IL


May 17, 2007

I just wanted to thank you for showing us around Shanghai. It is such a big city that we never would have known where to shop and eat without your expert help. I was so impressed by how organized you were. We loved your suggestions for the French Quarter, and the people that you took us to for pearls were so nice and helpful. We loved dinner at M on the Bund overlooking the river with all the beautiful views. And the foot massage that you suggested was unbelievable. My only regret was that we didn’t have more time to explore Shanghai. It was such a wonderful city! Maybe we will make it back one day.

You really made our stay special! Thanks for all your help.

Amy Schwartz
Great Neck, NY



Oct 28, 2006

Belated thanks for escorting me, and Sandra Davies and Frances Irving on our one-day shopping spree this past September.

When we signed up to attend the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Conference in Shanghai we had no idea that the Shopping day with you would turn out to be the highlight of the trip to Shanghai! The three of us had the best time with you, and in particular feel we would never have found the pearl and clothing shops you took us to on our own.

Your Chinese was without doubt an invaluable asset in the bargaining process! You were very patient with us, and very kind. We greatly enjoyed our day with you. I look forward to using your services again on my next trip to Shanghai.

Sharon Ser
Hong Kong

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