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

Should you visit Shanghai or Dallas?

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 Dallas. 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 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.

Dallas

Dallas is a upscale, chic, and active 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, food, and shopping.

Shanghai and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Dallas?

You'll generally find more things to do in Shanghai than Dallas. Shanghai is bigger than Dallas, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Shanghai is better known for its museums, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dallas is more popular for its nightlife. Shanghai is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. Also, Shanghai is famous for The Bund. Dallas is well known for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Shanghai different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dallas 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 Dallas?

Shanghai is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dallas can be an interesting and educational experience. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

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

Shanghai is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Shanghai has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Dallas has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Is Shanghai or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Dallas is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its evening party scene.

Dallas has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

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 the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Dallas?

Shanghai is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city 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 Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Shanghai or Dallas Better for Families?

Both Shanghai and Dallas are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Shanghai is a very kid-friendly port city. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dallas. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Is Shanghai or Dallas Better for Couples?

Shanghai is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Shanghai has plenty to offer. 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.

Dallas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Is Shanghai or Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Shanghai is a great port city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

Is Shanghai or Dallas Better for Students?

Shanghai is a well-known place for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

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

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

The public transit in Shanghai can get you around easily. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

Dallas has some public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Shanghai or Dallas a more walkable city?

Shanghai is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city 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.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable port city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Shanghai or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Shanghai due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

Families should spend more time in Shanghai than Dallas. 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 Dallas. 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 Dallas 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 Dallas?

Shanghai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Dallas offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Shanghai or Dallas?

Shanghai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Dallas 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 Dallas, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shanghai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Dallas 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 Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse big city of Shanghai. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dallas 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Dallas, we can see that Dallas 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 Dallas is in North America, 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 Dallas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dallas 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 Dallas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Dallas?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dallas. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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 Dallas in the Summer?

Both Dallas and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Dallas in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Shanghai is around the same temperature as Dallas in the summer. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In July, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Dallas. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Shanghai or Dallas in the Autumn?

Both Dallas and Shanghai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Shanghai is cooler than Dallas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shanghai in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Dallas averages at about 69°F (21°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun.

Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Dallas. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Dallas in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Dallas. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Dallas because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Shanghai can be very cold during winter. In January, Shanghai is generally much colder than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 4°C (39°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Dallas. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Shanghai or Dallas in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Dallas. The spring months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

Shanghai is cooler than Dallas in the spring. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. In the spring, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun.

Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dallas. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Shanghai