Beijing
Shanghai
Many travelers compare Beijing and Shanghai because they represent two faces of China: one is the historic capital with the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, the other a financial hub with the Bund and Lujiazui.Both offer a comprehensive metro, excellent international flights and hotels for every budget, but the street experience between hutongs and skyscrapers is very different.In short: Beijing wins for UNESCO heritage, access to the Great Wall (65–80 km, 1h30–2h) and cuisine like Peking duck; Shanghai stands out for contemporary design, rooftops over the skyline and international restaurants.On budget, Beijing is usually €10–20 per day cheaper; for transport, Shanghai has the Maglev (430 km/h, 7–8 min) from Pudong.This guide gives you prices in €, precise durations, distances in km, and real names of neighborhoods, restaurants and attractions.You’ll find visit times (e.g., 2–3 hours at the Forbidden City), metro costs (€0.38–1.15), taxis (€1.7 base) and passes for Shanghai Disneyland.The goal: choose between Beijing and Shanghai in an informed way.
Beijing vs Shanghai
| Feature | Beijing | Shanghai |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | In Beijing a 3★ hotel in Dongcheng/Wangfujing costs €60–100 (¥470–780), a 4★ €110–180 (¥860–1,400) and a 5★ in CBD/Guomao €200–350 (¥1,560–2,730).Meals: jianbing for breakfast €1–2 (¥8–15), noodles €3–5 (¥25–40), Peking duck at Siji Minfu €15–22 per person (¥120–170).Metro €0.38–0.77/ride (¥3–6), taxi base €1.7 (¥13) + €0.29/km (¥2.3).Daily budget: backpacker €35–60, mid-range €90–140, luxury €220–350 with 1–2 attractions (€5–8 each).✓ Better | In Shanghai a 3★ in Jing’an/People’s Square costs €70–120 (¥550–940), a 4★ €130–200 (¥1,010–1,560), a 5★ in Lujiazui/The Bund €240–380 (¥1,870–2,960).Meals: xiaolongbao at Jia Jia Tang Bao €3.5–5.5 (¥28–42), shengjian at Yang’s €1.5–2.5 (¥12–20), dinner at Lost Heaven €18–28 (¥140–220).Metro €0.38–1.15 (¥3–9), 1‑day pass €2.3 (¥18).Taxi base €1.8 (¥14) + €0.32/km (¥2.5).Budget: backpacker €40–70, mid-range €110–160, luxury €240–380. |
| Main attractions | The Forbidden City (Apr–Oct €7.7/¥60; Nov–Mar €5.1/¥40; 3 hours) requires real-name booking.The Temple of Heaven combo (high season €4.4/¥34; 2 hours) and the Summer Palace (high season €5.1/¥40; 2–3 hours) are musts.The Great Wall at Mutianyu (65 km, 1h30) costs €5.1/¥40 + shuttle €1.9/¥15, round-trip cable car €15.4/¥120 (half day).Others: Lama Temple €3.2/¥25 and Tian’anmen (free).✓ Better | In Shanghai go up the Shanghai Tower (118F, €23.1/¥180; 1–1.5 hours) or the SWFC (100F, €20.5/¥160).The Bund is free (1 hour walk) and the Yuyuan Garden costs €5.1/¥40 (1–1.5 hours).Trip to Zhujiajiao (45 km, 60–75 min): combo pass €10.3–15.4/¥80–120 (3–4 hours).For families: Shanghai Disneyland €51–102/¥399–799 (1 day). |
| Food and restaurants | Specialties: Peking duck at Siji Minfu or Quanjude (whole duck €30–55/¥240–430; 2–3 people).Zhajiangmian noodles €3–5/¥25–40 at Haidilao? No, better Jing-A Taproom for beers €4.5–7.1/¥35–55 and Great Leap Brewing.Street food on Nanluoguxiang (€1–3/¥8–24) and hotpot at Haidilao €15–25/¥120–200 per person.Markets: Panjiayuan for regional snacks.Average meal budget: €6–12 lunch, €10–18 dinner. | Try the xiaolongbao at Jia Jia Tang Bao (€3.5–5.5/¥28–42 per basket), the shengjian at Yang’s Fry-Dumpling (€1.5–2.5/¥12–20) and hairy crab in season (€28–55/¥220–430).At Lost Heaven (Yunnan) you’ll spend €18–28/¥140–220, at Old Jesse (Shanghainese cuisine) €15–25/¥120–200. Food street: Yunnan South Rd (€3–6/dish).Rooftops on the Bund like Bar Rouge cocktails €10–15/¥80–120. Average meal: lunch €7–13, dinner €12–22.✓ Better |
| Climate and best time to visit | Beijing has cold, dry winters (January: 2°C max, -8°C min) and hot summers (July: 31°C max, rain ~180 mm).Spring 10–22°C (Mar–May) with possible dust in March; autumn is dry and sunny (October: 8–19°C).Best months: April–May and September–October.In winter the AQI can exceed 150 on the worst days: bring N95 masks. | Shanghai is milder (January: 8°C max, 2°C min) but humid.Sweltering summer (July–August: 32–35°C, humidity 70–80%) with the rainy season in June (~150 mm) and typhoon risk August–September.Pleasant autumn (October: 15–23°C).Recommended period: April–May and October–early November, avoiding Golden Week (1–7 October) for crowds/prices. |
| Transport and how to get there | Airports: PEK (26 km NE) and PKX (46 km S).Airport Express PEK–Dongzhimen €3.2/¥25 (20 min), Daxing Express €4.5/¥35 (19–30 min).Metro: rides €0.38–0.77/¥3–6, 5:00–23:30.Taxi: base €1.7/¥13 + €0.29/km.PEK–Wangfujing 27 km, €15–20/¥120–160 (40–60 min); PKX–Tian’anmen 46 km, €23–28/¥180–220. Stations: Beijing South for high-speed trains. | Airports: PVG (45 km E) and SHA (13 km W).Maglev PVG–Longyang Rd €6.4/¥50 (7–8 min, 430 km/h), metro Line 2 to People’s Square €0.77/¥6 (25 min).1‑day metro pass €2.3/¥18. Taxi: base €1.8/¥14 + €0.32/km; PVG–Bund 45 km, €20–26/¥160–200 (45–70 min); SHA–Jing’an 15 km, €7.7–10.3/¥60–80. Station: Hongqiao for G‑trains.✓ Better |
| Nightlife | Areas: Sanlitun Taikoo Li, Workers’ Stadium, Gulou.Bars like Dada Beijing (techno), Great Leap Brewing (beers €4.5–7.1/¥35–55).Cocktails €7.7–11.5/¥60–90, club entry €12.8–19.2/¥100–150. Hours: bars until 02:00, clubs 03:00–04:00.Night taxi from Sanlitun to Wangfujing (7 km) €4–6. Live scene at Temple Bar, craft breweries widespread. | Areas: The Bund (rooftops like Bar Rouge and Flair), Found 158, Xintiandi.Cocktails €10–15/¥80–120, beers €5–8/¥40–60; club entry (TAXX, 1 OAK) €12.8–25.6/¥100–200. Hours: bars until 02:00, clubs up to 04:00.Taxi Bund–Jing’an (5 km) €3–5. Skyline view over Lujiazui is spectacular for photo nights.✓ Better |
| For families with kids | The Forbidden City has long routes (2.5–3 km) but ramps; stroller OK.The Great Wall at Mutianyu offers a cable car (round trip €15.4/¥120) and a toboggan (¥80/€10.3) that’s fun; transfer 1h30.Beijing Zoo €1.9/¥15 (+ Aquarium €20.5/¥160) and Chaoyang Park (€2–3) have play areas.Distances: Summer Palace 18 km from downtown (40–50 min).Facilities: frequent restrooms, but bring water in summer. | Shanghai Disneyland is the star (€51–102/¥399–799; 1 day), with stroller rental €6–8/¥50–60. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium €20.5/¥160 (1.5–2 hours), Natural History Museum €3.8/¥30 (1.5–2 hours) and Century Park €1.3/¥10 for pedal boats.Short transfers: Bund–People’s Square 2 km (25 min on foot).Family-friendly restaurants in Xintiandi with high chairs.Average queues 30–60 min at Disney (arrive 08:30).✓ Better |
| Beaches and nature | Beijing shines for nature: the Great Wall at Mutianyu/Badaling (65–75 km, 1h30–2h), Fragrant Hills 20 km (50 min, entry €2.6/¥20) and Longqing Gorge 85 km (2 h, boat €12.8/¥100).No beaches in the city, but Beidaihe (Qinhuangdao) at 300 km in 1h50–2h20 by G‑train (€13–18/¥102–140) is a seaside escape.Parks: Olympic Forest, Yuanmingyuan are green and spacious.✓ Better | Shanghai offers sea nearby: Jinshan City Beach at 60 km (60–90 min, entry €3.8/¥30) and Fengxian Haiwan Park with an artificial beach.Nature: Chongming Island 70 km (90 min) and Dishui Lake 75 km (70 min).Better beaches on the Zhoushan Islands (e.g., Nansha Beach, 280 km, 3.5–4.5 h).In the city, parks like Century Park and Xujiahui Park for green breaks.Swimming water quality is variable. |
| Shopping | In Beijing: Wangfujing for brands and snacks, Nanluoguxiang for crafts, Panjiayuan (Sat–Sun 06:00–16:00) for antiques.Silk Street and Hongqiao Pearl Market for silk/pearls (bargain: tailored silk €90–180/¥700–1,400; pearl necklaces €25–130/¥200–1,000).Electronics in Zhongguancun.Payments: WeChat/Alipay accepted; cash still useful. | Shanghai is top for fashion: Nanjing Rd and Huaihai Rd (malls like IAPM, IFC), boutiques in Xintiandi and Tianzifang.For tailoring: South Bund Fabric Market suits €100–260/¥800–2,000 (2–3 days).Souvenirs at Yuyuan Bazaar.Knock-off market: AP Plaza (next to Science & Tech Museum).Tax refund available in designated stores over ¥500.✓ Better |
| Safety and practical tips | Beijing is safe; watch out for the tea‑house scam near Tian’anmen/Wangfujing (bill €38–102/¥300–800).Avoid unlicensed taxis at PEK/PKX; use DiDi or the official queue.Tap water: not drinkable.In winter PM2.5 can be high: wear N95 masks.Numbers: 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire.Use a VPN for western sites. | Shanghai is very safe; beware of pickpockets on the metro and on Nanjing Rd.Common scams with invitations to bars/tea around the Bund/People’s Square (avoid strangers).Taxis: refuse those offering fixed fares outside PVG/SHA.Water not drinkable.Payments: WeChat/Alipay can now be linked to Visa/Mastercard (fees 1–3%).Emergencies: 110/120/119.Pedestrian safety: obey signals, heavy traffic. |
| How many days you need | Minimum 3 days: Forbidden City + Tian’anmen (day 1), Great Wall Mutianyu (day 2, 5–6 hours including transfers), Temple of Heaven + Summer Palace (day 3).Ideal 5–6 days adding Lama Temple, 798 Art Zone and hutongs by bike (2–3 hours).Metro times: center–Summer Palace 50 min. | Minimum 2–3 days: Bund + Lujiazui (day 1, Shanghai Tower ascent 1–1.5 h), Yuyuan + Tianzifang (day 2), trip to Zhujiajiao (day 3, 4–5 hours).Ideal 4–5 days with the Shanghai Museum (free, 1.5–2 h) and Disneyland (1 day).Short transfers: Bund–Lujiazui by metro 8–10 min. |
| How to combine the two cities | High-speed G‑train from Beijing South to Shanghai Hongqiao: 4h25–4h55; 2nd class €71/¥553, 1st €120/¥933, business €224/¥1,748. Alternatives: flight 2h15 (€60–140 one way) from PEK/PKX to PVG/SHA.Overnight: Z train 12–15 h sleeper €42–67/¥327–523. Book 3–10 days in advance during peak periods. | Recommended order: start from Shanghai (jet lag + easier transport), then Beijing for the historic sites.Hongqiao is connected to the metro and to SHA airport (10–15 min).Arrival: PVG with the Maglev €6.4/¥50 and metro €0.77/¥6. Train ticket: buy on 12306 or via hotels/agencies (fee €3–6).Avoid Golden Week for availability. |
The Verdict
Choose Beijing
Choose Beijing if you’re after imperial history, UNESCO heritage and an iconic day trip to the Great Wall.Ideal time: April–May or September–October (15–24°C).Indicative budget: mid-range €90–140 per day with 3–4★ hotels in Dongcheng.Fast 4-day itinerary: day 1 Tian’anmen + Forbidden City (3 h) + Jingshan Park; day 2 Mutianyu (5–6 h round trip) + Lama Temple; day 3 Temple of Heaven + hutongs in Gulou; day 4 Summer Palace and 798 Art Zone.Transport: metro €0.38–0.77/ride, taxi PEK–center €15–20.
Choose Shanghai
Choose Shanghai if you want the skyline, contemporary design and a varied food scene with xiaolongbao and rooftops on the Bund.Ideal time: October–early November (15–23°C) or April–May.Average budget €110–160 per day in Jing’an/Xintiandi.3–4 day itinerary: day 1 Bund + Shanghai Tower ascent; day 2 Yuyuan + Tianzifang + cocktails at Flair; day 3 trip to Zhujiajiao; day 4 Shanghai Museum and shopping on Nanjing Rd.Arrival: Maglev €6.4 from PVG, metro 1‑day pass €2.3.