The Brazilian government issued a remarkable statement in 2008: around 90% of the designer goods available on the street were counterfeit. Roughly 3,000 shops fill this outdoor market, concentrated in only eight city blocks – where everything from computer games to underwear and watches can be found.

More than 400,000 people work and shop here every day. Around Christmas, the number grows to one million shoppers. Don’t forget to check inside malls like Mundo Oriental (Rua Barão de Duprat, 323, 3229 8089) and Galeria Pagé (Rua Barão de Duprat, 315, 3227 3582).