A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Shanghai for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Shanghai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Shanghai can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a trendy, modern, and cosmopolitan port city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bali and Shanghai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Shanghai?

You'll generally find more things to do in Shanghai than Bali. Shanghai is bigger than Bali, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Shanghai is better known for its museums & sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Bali is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Bali is more touristy than Shanghai and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Shanghai is well known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. Also, Shanghai is famous for The Bund.

How is Bali different from Shanghai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Shanghai and Bali. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Shanghai?

Shanghai is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Shanghai are among the most recognizable in the world. The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Shanghai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Bali and Shanghai offer a number of first-rate restaurants to choose from.

Bali has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Shanghai is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city's cuisine has a long history with many distinct traditional dishes. The foods incorporate a lot of soy sauce and sugar and you'll find most dishes are rice based as opposed to using wheat products. Popular local dishes include the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, steamed crab, and braised pork. The city is also famous for its snacks, which can be purchased at one of the many snack houses or street stalls.

Is Bali or Shanghai Better for Nightlife?

Bali is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Bali just to party. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Shanghai. A night out can quickly become very expensive. Many of the venues are spread out so you'll likely spend at least some of the time in a taxi. The Bund is one of the most popular areas for nightlife, but this area also has the most expensive bars and clubs. They often offer impressive views of Pudong and the Huangpu River though.

Is Bali or Shanghai Better for Resorts?

Bali is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Shanghai is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Bali for its luxury resorts. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Shanghai is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Shanghai Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Shanghai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Bali. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Shanghai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Shanghai Better for Beaches?

Bali is a world-class destination for the beache. However, Shanghai is not a beach destination.

Bali offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Shanghai is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Shanghai Better for Hiking?

Bali is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Bali is a popular spot for hiking. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Shanghai?

Shanghai is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Shanghai make it a world-class shopping destination. The city has many large shopping malls with department stores, name brand fashion, and trendy shops. It is also known for its cheap electronics and tailor-made clothes.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bali. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Is Bali or Shanghai Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Shanghai.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Shanghai. Of course there's Disneyland, but kids will also enjoy soaking up the city's culture, trying fun new snacks, and exploring the many science and kid-friendly museums. There are also parks and outdoor spaces as well as skyscrapers and towers that offer incredible views of the city.

Is Bali or Shanghai Better for Couples?

Both Bali and Shanghai are first-rate destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Bali has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Shanghai has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its east meets west personality, couples will be able to enjoy an amazing culinary experience, beautiful gardens, and luxury hotels and spas. There are many romantic areas around this bustling city, making it the perfect place for a romantic city getaway.

Is Bali or Shanghai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Shanghai. The city is expensive, but there are hostels and cheap eateries that make it accessible even for the budget conscious. Business travelers and local workers give the city a more professional vibe during the day, but if you find the right place to stay you'll quickly be able to meet likeminded travelers.

Is Bali or Shanghai Better for Students?

Shanghai is a well-known place for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Shanghai is very popular with students. The city attracts international and study abroad students who enjoy its long history and fascinating culture. It's a world financial capital with many businesses headquartered here, so employment opportunities are abundant.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Shanghai Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Shanghai is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Shanghai can get you to some places easily. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Shanghai a more walkable city?

Shanghai is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Shanghai is a very walkable port city. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Shanghai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Shanghai or Bali?

How long in Bali or Shanghai?

In either Bali or Shanghai, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than Shanghai because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-5 days is enough time in Shanghai.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Shanghai. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bali, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Shanghai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Shanghai if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bali.

One day in Bali or Shanghai?

The beautiful island of Bali offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Shanghai is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Shanghai?

Bali is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Shanghai is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Shanghai?

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than five days exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Shanghai is a trendy big city where you can fill many days. This port city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bali or Shanghai?

Bali is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bali has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

The professional port city of Shanghai offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai than you might in Bali.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Shanghai?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Shanghai, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bali or Shanghai?

Shanghai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Shanghai in the Summer?

Both Shanghai and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bali is around the same temperature as Shanghai in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Shanghai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Should I visit Bali or Shanghai in the Autumn?

Both Shanghai and Bali during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bali is a little warmer than Shanghai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Shanghai averages at about 19°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 162 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Shanghai. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Shanghai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Shanghai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.

It's quite cold in Shanghai in the winter. In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Bali usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Shanghai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bali as well as Shanghai. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Bali is much warmer than Shanghai in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the spring, Bali often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 153 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Shanghai. Bali usually gets less rain in April than Shanghai. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Shanghai and Bali