A Travel Price Comparison for China Shanghai vs. Jingdezhen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Shanghai or Jingdezhen?

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 Jingdezhen. 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 Jingdezhen?

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".

Jingdezhen

Jingdezhen, China is a city located in the Jianxi Province in the southwestern part of the country. It is famous for being the "Porcelain Capital" due to a history of producing pottery for over 1,700 years. This city itself ignites memories of a time when Chinese craftsmanship was at it's peak thanks to their weekly craft shows and art village.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Jingdezhen or Shanghai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $115, while the average daily cost in Jingdezhen is $58. 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 Jingdezhen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Shanghai $81
    Jingdezhen $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shanghai $162
    Jingdezhen $60
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Jingdezhen

Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Jingdezhen? 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.

Hotels in Shanghai


Hotels in Jingdezhen


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Shanghai $3.87
    Jingdezhen $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.59
  • 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
  • Shared Transfer: from Hotel in Shanghai to Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Port: $20
  • Shanghai Pudong Airport Private Departure Transfers: $20
  • Shanghai Pudong Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $20
  • Private Transfer to Shanghai Railway Station from City Hotels or Outskirts: $22
  • Private Transfer to ERA Acrobats Show at Shanghai Circus World: $22
  • Private Transfer from Shanghai Hotels to Shanghai Cruise Port: $24
  • Private Transfer to Huangpu River Cruise Terminal: $24
  • Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $25
  • Shanghai Maglev Train Station Private Transfer from City Area : $25
  • Private Transfer between Shanghai Pudong New Int’l Expo Centre and City Area : $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Jingdezhen?

Prices for flights to both Jingdezhen 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Shanghai $21
    Jingdezhen $20
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai

Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:


  • Dumpling Breakfast
    $1.38
  • Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory
    $20
  • Ajisen Lunch for Two
    $7.19
  • Cantelope
    $1.66
  • Dumplings and Soup
    $2.07
  • Duck Dinner
    $4.15
  • Pastries
    $2.90
  • 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 General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
  • Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
  • 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
  • Shanghai Evening Food Tour/Shanghai tour gastronomico nocturno : $85
  • Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
  • Eat Like A Local: Shanghai Night Food Tour: $90
  • Shanghai's Koreatown Food Tour: $91

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Shanghai $8.44
    Jingdezhen $8.00
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:


  • 30 Minute River Cruise for Two
    $28
  • 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
  • Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking: $14
  • 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 Hotels to Wusongkou Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Great service: $38
  • Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
  • Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Port to Hongqiao Airport:Private with Meet service: $40
  • Fudan University Student Guide Tour: $42
  • Haipai Culture Tour|Shanghai's Past, Present & Future On One Road: $43
  • Shanghai Tower Tickets Booking: $43

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shanghai $7.36
    Jingdezhen $38

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 Jingdezhen, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Jingdezhen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jingdezhen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jingdezhen 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 Jingdezhen.

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


Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Jingdezhen?

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

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 Jingdezhen in the Summer?

Both Jingdezhen 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 around the same temperature as Jingdezhen in the summer. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Jingdezhen fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Jingdezhen. It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In July, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Jingdezhen. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Jingdezhen receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Shanghai 28°C (83°F) 
    Jingdezhen 30°C (85°F)

Should I visit Shanghai or Jingdezhen in the Autumn?

Both Jingdezhen 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 around the same temperature as Jingdezhen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shanghai in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Jingdezhen averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Jingdezhen. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Jingdezhen receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Shanghai 19°C (65°F) 
    Jingdezhen 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Shanghai or Jingdezhen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Jingdezhen. 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, Shanghai is generally much colder than Jingdezhen. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 4°C (39°F), and Jingdezhen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Jingdezhen. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Jingdezhen receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Shanghai 4°C (39°F) 
    Jingdezhen 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Shanghai or Jingdezhen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Jingdezhen. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Shanghai is cooler than Jingdezhen in the spring. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Jingdezhen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Jingdezhen. Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai usually gets less rain in April than Jingdezhen. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Jingdezhen receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Shanghai 15°C (58°F) 
    Jingdezhen 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Jingdezhen and Shanghai

Shanghai Jingdezhen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 123 mm (4.9 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 174 mm (6.8 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 102 mm (4 in) 18°C (64°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
May 20°C (67°F) 113 mm (4.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 257 mm (10.1 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 152 mm (6 in) 26°C (79°F) 270 mm (10.6 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 128 mm (5 in) 30°C (85°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 30°C (85°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 156 mm (6.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 52 mm (2 in) 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)