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

Should you visit Shanghai or Belfast?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Shanghai and Belfast. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a cosmopolitan, professional, and diverse port city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Belfast

Belfast is a under-rated, authentic, and affordable city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife and shopping.

Shanghai and Belfast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Belfast?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Shanghai than Belfast. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Shanghai is more touristy than Belfast and is known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also well known for The Bund. Belfast is famous for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

How is Shanghai different from Belfast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Shanghai that are not to be missed. 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.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Shanghai or Belfast Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Shanghai and Belfast.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Belfast?

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Shanghai is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Shanghai or Belfast Better for Families?

Shanghai is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Shanghai is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Belfast is a family-friendly port city. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Is Shanghai or Belfast Better for Couples?

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Shanghai or Belfast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Shanghai is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Shanghai or Belfast Better for Students?

Shanghai is a well-known place for students. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Shanghai is a great port city to visit as a student. 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.

Plenty of students visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

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

Shanghai is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Shanghai. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Shanghai or Belfast a more walkable city?

Shanghai is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Belfast or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Belfast?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Shanghai and Belfast. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Shanghai than in Belfast. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 1-3 days is enough time in Belfast.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Shanghai than Belfast 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 Shanghai.

One day in Shanghai or Belfast?

Because Shanghai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This port city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Belfast offers shopping and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Shanghai or Belfast?

Because Shanghai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Shanghai has to offer.

Belfast is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Belfast, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Belfast?

Shanghai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Shanghai has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Belfast is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Shanghai or Belfast?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shanghai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Shanghai. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Belfast is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Belfast, we can see that Belfast is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and Belfast is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Shanghai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shanghai 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 Belfast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belfast than you might in Shanghai.

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Belfast?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Belfast, 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 Shanghai or Belfast?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Shanghai or Belfast in the Summer?

Both Belfast and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Belfast for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Shanghai is generally much warmer than Belfast. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 28°C (83°F), and Belfast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 151 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In July, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Belfast. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Shanghai or Belfast in the Autumn?

Both Belfast and Shanghai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Belfast because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Shanghai is much warmer than Belfast in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Belfast fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the autumn, Shanghai often gets more sunshine than Belfast. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 92 hours of full sun.

Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Belfast. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Belfast in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Belfast. The winter months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Belfast this time of year.

It's quite cold in Belfast in the winter. The weather in Shanghai can be very cold. In the winter, Shanghai is around the same temperature as Belfast. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shanghai in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Belfast averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 50 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Belfast. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Shanghai or Belfast in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Belfast. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Belfast for the activities around the city.

In April, Shanghai is generally much warmer than Belfast. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 15°C (58°F), and Belfast fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Shanghai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Belfast. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 150 hours of full sun.

Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Belfast. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Belfast and Shanghai