Beijing vs Shanghai: Which to Visit? (A Complete Comparison)

Written by Maren Hamilton | Updated August 13,2025

For anyone looking to visit China, there are two cities that always spring to mind: Beijing and Shanghai. Both are among the most popular tourist destinations in the country, leaving many travellers wondering which they should go to. It’s a tough choice to make, especially when you don’t know much about the cities, which is why we here at China Xian Tour have made this quick comparison to help you choose. Enjoy!

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• Beijing vs Shanghai: A Quick Overview
• How to Get to Beijing and Shanghai
• Beijing and Shanghai’s Top Attractions
• Top Things to Do in Beijing and Shanghai
• Food in Beijing vs Shanghai
• Nightlife in Beijing vs Shanghai
• Shopping in Beijing vs Shanghai
• Public Transportation in Beijing vs Shanghai
• How Many Days Do You Need in Beijing? What About Shanghai?
• Side Trips from Beijing vs Shanghai
• Estimated Travel Cost of Beijing vs Shanghai: Which is More Expensive?
• Best Time to Visit Shanghai or Beijing

Beijing vs Shanghai: A Quick Overview

Key Information about Beijing & Shanghai

Who Should Go to Beijing?

If you’re interested in ancient history and want to explore some of the most famous landmarks in China, Beijing is for you.

Who Should Go to Shanghai?

If you want a more modern experience full of art and culture (or if you just want to go shopping), Shanghai is the perfect choice.

Related reading: 50 Largest Cities in China by Population

How to Get to Beijing and Shanghai

Both Beijing and Shanghai are major transport hubs, which makes it easy to go to either city or even to go from Shanghai to Beijing in one trip! Beijing has two large international airports, Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport, while Shanghai has one, Pudong International Airport. If you’re not planning to arrive directly into those cities, domestic flights are another option, as is using China’s world-renowned high-speed trains.

Beijing and Shanghai’s Top Attractions

Wondering what attractions there are in Beijing and Shanghai? Here’s a list of the top five in each city.

Beijing: An Ancient City

If you’re looking for a place to explore China’s more ancient side, full of deep history and rich culture, look no further than Beijing. With many famous historical landmarks and some of the most important spiritual sites in the whole country, Beijing is a great choice for history buffs and true sinophiles.

• The Forbidden City: Built in the 1400s when China’s capital moved from Nanjing to Beijing, this famous landmark used to be an imperial palace. Don’t be intimidated by the name, though! Nowadays, however, the palace is open to everyone and has become one of China’s biggest tourist destinations.
• The Great Wall of China: With a history over 3,000 years long, the Great Wall was originally built as a defensive measure against invading nomads from the north. While only a few parts of the wall are located in Beijing itself, it’s still a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the city.
• The Summer Palace: Full of lush gardens, serene lakes, and beautiful palaces, the Summer Palace is a perfect getaway for anyone who wants an escape from Beijing’s bustling city life.
• The Temple of Heaven: An old Confucian temple, the Temple of Heaven is a great stop for anyone interested in the religious and spiritual side of ancient China. While sacrifices might be a thing of the past, the temple is still a location full of deep symbolism.
• Lama Temple (aka the Yonghe Lamastery): With many different halls dedicated to different Buddhas and their associated themes, the Lama Temple is a perfect stop for anyone who wants to explore the richly incensed halls of a Buddhist temple.

Shanghai: A Modern Metropolis

Shanghai is like China’s New York: it has some history, but even more impressive is its thriving cultural scene. Full of international flair and towering skyscrapers, it’s the prime example of a modern Chinese city and a perfect destination for shopaholics and creatives.

• The Bund (aka Waitan): Bordering the west side of the Huangpu River, the Bund offers some of the best views of Shanghai’s skyscrapers, making it a great place to take photos.
• Nanjing Road: Nanjing Road is one of the world’s busiest shopping centres, full of both local and international brands. Additionally, with many charming restaurants and cafes, this street makes for a great stop around mealtimes.
• The Former French Concession: The former French Concession has become iconic thanks to its European architecture and laid-back vibe.
• M50 Art District: The M50 art district is proof of Shanghai’s dominance when it comes to modern Chinese art. With over 120 art galleries hosting some of the biggest names in China’s art scene, it’s the perfect place to learn a bit more about art in modern China.
• Shanghai Museum: While Beijing has more historical landmarks, the best collection of ancient Chinese art and artifacts can be found in the Shanghai Museum, with sculptures, ceramics, furniture, arts and crafts, and more.

Top Things to Do in Beijing and Shanghai

China’s biggest cities aren’t just for sight-seeing, of course! Here are our recommendations for the best activities to do in both Beijing and Shanghai.

What to do in Beijing

Wander the Hutongs

These narrow alleyways lined by courtyard residences are some of the last vestiges of traditional Chinese life. The hutongs also offer some home visit experiences, making them a great place to take a tour.

Watch Peking Opera

Peking Opera might be an acquired taste, but it’s also something you should experience at least once in your life. Just make sure to find a showing with projected subtitles so you can follow along!

Go Shopping in Qianmen

With a style reminiscent of the late Qing dynasty, Qianmen is full of traditional street food and modern shops, making it a fun shopping destination for anyone in Beijing.

Eat Peking Duck

Can you even say you’ve been to Beijing if you haven’t eaten Peking duck? With its crispy skin, tender meat, and subtle salty-sweet flavour, this is an unmissable meal during your time in the city.

Stroll in Jingshan Park

Before your time in Beijing ends, you have to make a stop at Jingshan Park. It’s one of the best places to take photos, offering stunning views of the city from the top of Wanchun Pavilion on top of the central hill – the views at sunset are especially beautiful.

What to do in Shanghai

Take in the City from a Skyscraper

Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower all have observation decks that offer dizzyingly beautiful views of the city, making them perfect places to snap some photos and get an appreciation for just how big Shanghai really is.

Explore Yuyan Garden and Old City of Shanghai
Originally built during the Ming dynasty and then rebuilt after being damaged, Yuyan Garden and Old City of Shanghai are a fun taste of ancient China hidden in the massive city.

Take a River Cruise

Whether you go during the day or at night, these cruises offer a great opportunity to take pictures of both the modern east bank of the river as well as the colonial architecture along the west bank.

Slurp Xiaolongbao

Why visit Shanghai if you’re going to skip its most iconic dish? These dumplings, filled with pork and savoury broth, can’t be missed during your time in Shanghai. Just be careful not to burn your tongue!

Visit Longhua Temple

Affiliated with Chan (aka Zen) Buddhism, Longhua Temple is almost 1800 years old, though its current design dates back to the Song dynasty. Both architecturally beautiful and spiritually important, it’s a worthwhile stop on any trip to Shanghai.

Related reading: 15 Shanghai Facts You Need to Know Before You Go

Food in Beijing vs Shanghai

Beijing-Style Cuisine

Overall, Beijing’s cuisine is known for its bold flavours and salty dishes. As mentioned above, Beijing’s most iconic dish is Peking duck, but there are many more delicious dishes worth trying as well:

• Zhazhangmian, a noodle dish with soybean paste and diced pork, is a dish that many Beijing locals consider to be the taste of home.
• Jiao Quan are fried dough rings that have been a traditional breakfast food and snack for over 1,000 years.
• Douzhi is a drink made by fermenting mung bean milk. With a sour and slightly bitter taste, this was a favourite of Emperor Qianlong during the Qing dynasty.
• Donkey burgers(Lv Rou Huo Shao) are another popular local dish. While eating donkey might be new to some, the Chinese saying that “in Heaven, there is dragon meat, on Earth, there is donkey meat” should convince you to try it!

Shanghai-Style Cuisine

Shanghai’s most famous dish is xiaolongbao, and Shanghai’s cuisine is generally considered to be light and delicate. Additionally, due to the strong foreign influence in Shanghai, there are more international restaurants available for those with less adventurous palates. Here are some of the city’s most famous dishes:

• With sweet meat and umami roe and milt, hairy crab is a popular Shanghai dish best enjoyed in the fall.
• Braised pork belly is a particularly popular dish both among locals and foreigners. Rich, fatty, salty, and sweet, it’s no wonder that so many fall in love with the dish.
• Originating in nearby Hangzhou, beggar’s chicken is a famously juicy and tender dish that’s also said to be a favourite of Emperor Qianlong’s.
• Chicken and duck blood soup is a great choice for those with more adventurous palates and those who want to make sure they’re meeting their daily protein and iron requirements.

Nightlife in Beijing vs Shanghai

While both cities offer a variety of great options for nightlife, the overall vibe is very different between the two cities.

Where to Go at Night in Beijing

Beijing’s nightlife has more of an underground, creative feel, with small local bars and a stronger indie scene. Some popular locations include Modernista, Mao Livehouse, and hutong bars.

Where to Go at Night in Shanghai

Shanghai, on the other hand, is more polished and has more of an international feel – think rooftop and wine bars. The best places to find a spot to spend the evening are the Bund and the former French Concession.

Related reading: Where to Stay in Shanghai: Top Areas and Hotels

Shopping in Beijing vs Shanghai

What to Buy in Beijing and Where

Beijing is the ideal city if you’re looking to buy traditional art, such as paper fans, calligraphy, pottery, and jade carvings. If you’re looking for antiques, check out Panjiayuan Market, and if you’re interested in traditional arts and crafts, Liulichang Street is the place to go.

What to Buy in Shanghai and Where

If you’re more interested in luxury goods and modern art, Shanghai is the place to be. Nanjing Road is a great place to look for both famous and more niche high-end brands while streets like Julu Road are a great place to look for unique arts and crafts from independent artists and designers.

Related reading: Top Shopping Places in Shanghai

Public Transportation in Beijing vs Shanghai

Both Beijing and Shanghai offer similar options for public transportation. Buses can be difficult to navigate in both cities, which is why many tourists prefer to use the Chinese equivalent to Uber, Didi. Shared bike services are also available, but the registration and payment can be tricky. Overall, the best option from a price and convenience perspective are the cities’ metro systems, which are large and relatively foreigner-friendly thanks to signage in English. Just remember that these are cities that people live and work in, which means that trains can be quite packed during rush hour.

How Many Days Do You Need in Beijing? What About Shanghai?

While you won’t be able to see everything during one trip (it would probably take a whole lifetime to fully explore cities as large as Beijing and Shanghai), here’s how long you need to get a good sense of the feeling of both cities and leave you with countless memories that will last you a lifetime.

How Long to Stay in Beijing

We’d recommend spending around 3-5 days in Beijing due to the many historic sights the city has to offer. If you only have a short amount of time, say 2-3 days, focusing on relatively city central locations like the Forbidden City, Qianmen, the hutongs, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and the iconic Great Wall is the best way to go.

If you have more time, then adding more in-depth experiences, like hutong family visit, Lama Temple, Beijing Zoo (one of the largest in the world, with over 20 lovely pandas). More days also allow you a more relaxed travel pace and more free time. Watching Pecking Opera and acrobatic night show at Chaoyang Theatre, strolling around hutongs, go shopping are all great options for your free time.

How Long to Stay in Shanghai

With slightly less to see, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to stay in Shanghai. Those who stay for 1-2 days can see the Bund, visit Yuyuan Garden, Nanjing Road, Tianzifang, and the Former French Concession, and take a Huangpu River Cruise at night. If you’re spending 3-4 days in Shanghai, you can check out Zhujiajiao Water Town, Seven Treasure Town, and the M50 art district, or extend your Shanghai tour to nearby cities like Suzhou and Hangzhou.

Side Trips from Beijing vs Shanghai

Side Trips from Beijing

While you can see parts of the Great Wall without leaving Beijing, those who find the time to explore a bit further will get to see the many beautiful and varied landscapes the landmark has to offer. Other interesting destinations include Cuandixia, a village that dates back to the Ming dynasty, and Gubei Water Town, which some describe as being like a theme park for ancient China. Overall, similarly to the city itself, Beijing’s surroundings are full of history.

Side Trips from Shanghai

Shanghai is quite the opposite, however: rather than finding more fast-paced modern cities nearby, you’ll find some of the country’s most famous ancient cities. Suzhou and Hangzhou make for great day trips for anyone looking to slow down and get a taste of Chinese tradition and culture.

Estimated Travel Cost of Beijing vs Shanghai: Which is More Expensive?

Travel Cost in Beijing

For a 3-star hotel in Beijing, you can expect to pay at least 400 CNY per night. For food, an inexpensive meal costs around 30 CNY while a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant would cost around 200 CNY.

Cost of Attractions in Beijing

Travel Cost in Shanghai

For a 3-star hotel in Shanghai, you can expect to pay at least 500 CNY per night. For food, an inexpensive meal costs around 35 CNY while a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant would cost around 250 CNY.

Cost of Attractions in Shanghai

√ Good to know: Wandering around the Bund, French Concession, Tianzifang, Shanghai Old Street, Nanjing Road are all free. All these streets and quarters will immerse you in the vibrant life, culture and history of Shanghai.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai or Beijing

Both cities are at their best during autumn, with spring as a second choice. While monsoons are common in both cities from April to September, winter in Shanghai can be uncomfortably damp and cold while Beijing is often freezing and suffers from poor air quality. Similarly, the summers can be unbearably hot in both cities. Autumn, on the other hand, tends to have quite mild weather.

Weather difference between Beijing and Shanghai

The biggest difference between Beijing and Shanghai’s weather, beyond the fact that Beijing is colder due to its higher latitude, is that Beijing is quite dry while Shanghai is very wet. This is part of why we recommend spring as a second choice rather than being equal to autumn: in Beijing, there’s a risk of sandstorms in the spring, while in Shanghai it can be quite rainy.

Discover Both Cities with Us

Now that you’ve learned so much about both Beijing and Shanghai, we hope you have a better idea of which city suits you best! Still, regardless of which one you choose, it can be hard to know exactly how to plan your time to make sure you don’t miss out on anything… So why not have someone else do it for you? Here at China Xian Tours, we offer both preset and custom tours that suit exactly what you’re looking for in Beijing, Shanghai, and more – so what are you waiting for? Contact us today!