New shopping mall causes traffic jams in Shanghai

Global Harbor, the mega commercial complex in Shanghai that had a soft opening on Friday, created serious traffic blocks and caused embarrassing accidental exposure for women shoppers in its first week.

A total of 200 traffic police officers were sent to ease gridlocks near the shopping mall in Putuo district between 8:30 am and 3 pm on Friday, the day Global Harbor opened, said local news website online.sh.cn.

The official website of the Shanghai government said traffic control was planned and drivers were asked to take detours, but traffic jams in the area still lasted for at least 30 minutes on July 5.

An administrator from Global Harbor said once the free parking and trial operation period is over, the situation will improve significantly.

Not only does the traffic trouble customers, a "wardrobe malfunction" on the "T-stage" — an area above an air corridor created of crystal-clear glass — concerned female shoppers.

Customers on the floor below the air corridor could see clearly from below as women in skirts walked above. Some women said they felt depressed and disappointed and would not visit again.