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

Should you visit Shanghai or Manchester?

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 Manchester. 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 bustling, trendy, and modern port city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Shanghai is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Shanghai travel costs.

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping. See Manchester travel costs.

Shanghai and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Manchester?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Shanghai than Manchester. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Shanghai is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Manchester attracts visitors for its nightlife and music. Shanghai is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also well known for The Bund. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

How is Shanghai different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Shanghai is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Shanghai from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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 Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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

Shanghai is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Shanghai or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Manchester 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.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

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 Shanghai or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is notable for its live music scene. However, Shanghai is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Shanghai is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Manchester?

Shanghai is very popular for shopping. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Shanghai. 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.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Shanghai or Manchester More Beautiful?

Shanghai is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Manchester is not a destination known for its beauty.

Shanghai is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Its distinct, futuristic skyline and scenic waterside strolls make this city a beautiful place to explore.

Manchester is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Shanghai or Manchester Better for Families?

Both Shanghai and Manchester 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 Manchester. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Is Shanghai or Manchester Better for Couples?

Shanghai is very popular for romance. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Manchester is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Is Shanghai or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Shanghai is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Shanghai is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Shanghai or Manchester Better for Students?

Shanghai and Manchester are both high quality destinations for students and younger travelers.

Many students visit Shanghai. 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.

Manchester is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Both Shanghai and Manchester offer high quality public transit options.

Shanghai has some very good public transit options. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

The public transit in Manchester can get you to most places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Is Shanghai or Manchester a more walkable city?

Shanghai is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Shanghai or Manchester. 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 Manchester.

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

When visiting Shanghai, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Manchester offers museums and nightlife. 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 Manchester?

When visiting Shanghai, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

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

Five days in Shanghai or Manchester?

Shanghai, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this port city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Manchester 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 Manchester?

Shanghai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Manchester 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 Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Manchester?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Manchester, 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 Manchester?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Shanghai or Manchester in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Manchester. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Manchester in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Shanghai is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 28°C (83°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shanghai this time of the year. In the summer, Shanghai often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun.

Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shanghai usually gets more rain in July than Manchester. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Manchester in the Autumn?

Both Manchester and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Shanghai is much warmer than Manchester in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during autumn. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Manchester. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Shanghai or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester and Shanghai during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Manchester can be very cold. Shanghai can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Shanghai is a little warmer than Manchester. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shanghai in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Manchester averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Shanghai often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun.

Shanghai usually gets less rain in January than Manchester. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Manchester in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Manchester. The spring months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.

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

Shanghai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Manchester during spring. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.

Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Manchester. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Shanghai