Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Shanghai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Shanghai or Benxi?
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 Benxi. 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.
Where Should I go: Shanghai or Benxi?
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
Benxi
Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $115Benxi $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $115, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $95. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Shanghai and Benxi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $81Benxi $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $162Benxi $94
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Benxi
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Benxi? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $3.87Benxi $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.59
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Two Subway Tickets$0.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $18
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $18
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $18
- Private Transfer to ERA Acrobats Show at Shanghai Circus World: $22
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Cruise Port to Shanghai Hotels: $24
- Private Transfer to Huangpu River Cruise Terminal: $24
- Shanghai Maglev Train Station Private Transfer from City Area : $25
- Private Transfer between Shanghai Pudong New Int’l Expo Centre and City Area : $25
- Private Transfer: National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and City Hotel: $26
- Private Departure Transfer to Hongqiao Railway Station from Shanghai City: $26
- Private Transfer to Shanghai South Railway Station from City Hotels or Outskirts: $26
- [Airport Transfer] Shanghai Pudong Airport / Hongqiao Airport ⇔ Shanghai City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Benxi?
Prices for flights to both Benxi and Shanghai change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayShanghai $21Benxi $30
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.38
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.19
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Cantelope$1.66
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Dumplings and Soup$2.07
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Duck Dinner$4.15
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Pastries$2.90
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Barbeque Dinner$8.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai: $67
- 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $69
- 2.5hrs Chinese Kitchen Cooking Class: Xiaolongbao Soup Dumplings: $70
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late night food tour in Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- 4-Hour Food Tour in Qibao Water Town from Shanghai by Subway: $95
- Shanghai Hot pot dinner foodie tour with guide and one way private transfer: $113
- Private Authentic Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with a Lovely Local: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $8.44Benxi $7.31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$28
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Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions: $14
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tour：Harmony & Spirituality in Garden Art: $20
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour: $29
- Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
- Fudan University Student Guide Tour: $42
- Shanghai Tower Tickets Booking: $43
- 4-Hour Nightlife Adventure & Tasting Bike Tour: $45
- Oriental Pearl Tower Tickets Booking: $47
- 4-Hour Sunset Bike Tour in Shanghai: $49
- Small Group 2.5-Hour Walking Tour - Spots Hiding Behind the Shanghai Bund: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.36Benxi $7.70
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl: unique bar-hopping tour 2024: $20
- Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Benxi, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Benxi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Benxi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Benxi 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 Benxi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is Benxi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Benxi?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Benxi. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Benxi, 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 Benxi?
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 Benxi in the Summer?
Both Benxi and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Shanghai is a little warmer than Benxi in the summer. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Benxi fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Benxi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Benxi during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 214 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Benxi. It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In July, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Benxi. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShanghai 28°C (83°F)Benxi 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Benxi in the Autumn?
Both Benxi and Shanghai during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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, Shanghai is much warmer than Benxi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shanghai in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Benxi averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In Benxi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Benxi. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 216 hours of full sun.
Shanghai usually gets more rain in October than Benxi. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShanghai 19°C (65°F)Benxi 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Benxi in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Benxi. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Benxi. It's quite cold in Shanghai in the winter. In January, Shanghai is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 4°C (39°F), and Benxi fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Benxi during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 167 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Benxi. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShanghai 4°C (39°F)Benxi -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Benxi in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Benxi. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Shanghai is a little warmer than Benxi in the spring. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Benxi. In the spring, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Benxi. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 241 hours of full sun.
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Benxi. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShanghai 15°C (58°F)Benxi 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Benxi and Shanghai
| Shanghai | Benxi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.