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

Should you visit Shanghai or Nelson?

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 Nelson. 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. Shanghai is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Shanghai travel costs.

Nelson

Nelson is a natural, beautiful, and outdoorsy city. The beauty of Nelson is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Nelson travel costs.

Shanghai and Nelson: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Nelson?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Shanghai than Nelson. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Shanghai is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Nelson attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Shanghai is famous for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also well known for The Bund. Nelson is famous for its stunning national parks, beautiful coastline, and outdoor adventures.

How is Shanghai different from Nelson?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Nelson offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people spend their time enjoying the nature-oriented activities, there are several museums in the area as well. Founder's Heritage Park Museum is a village-like setting that you can explore. There's also the Nelson Classic Car Museum and local art and craft galleries that are fun to walk through.

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

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

Many restaurants in Shanghai have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Nelson has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local ingredients, vineyards, and craft breweries all make the foodie scene around town interesting. There are many great restaurants that offer seasonal menus that change with the season. Eating is an experience in town, and locals take pride in the food they produce.

Is Shanghai or Nelson Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Shanghai and Nelson.

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 Nelson. The city attracts a good tourist crowd, and there are bars and clubs that keep things interesting late into the evening.

Is Shanghai or Nelson Better for Beaches?

Nelson is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Shanghai is not a beach destination.

Nelson offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Beaches in the area are sandy and most are great for swimming. There are many water sports available as well such as kayaking, kite surfing, and paddleboarding. You'll find locals and tourists alike hanging out at the beach and enjoying a barbecue.

Shanghai is not a beach destination.

Is Shanghai or Nelson Better for Hiking?

Nelson is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Nelson is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The area is filled with walking and hiking trails that wander along the coast and soak up the spectacular views. There are also three national parks in the area that are filled with trails. Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park, and Nelson Lakes National Park each have their own environments and scenery to explore.

Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Nelson?

Shanghai is renowned for shopping. Also, Nelson 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 Nelson. There are weekly markets in the area and a variety of retail shops where you can pick up anything you might need.

Is Shanghai or Nelson More Beautiful?

Shanghai and Nelson are somewhat similar when it comes to the very good scenery.

The beauty of Shanghai is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Its distinct, futuristic skyline and scenic waterside strolls make this city a beautiful place to explore.

With stunning beauty, Nelson attracts visitors from all around. The city is surrounded by beautiful scenery and wonderful outdoor environments.

Is Shanghai or Nelson Better for Families?

Nelson is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Nelson is very family-friendly. Surrounded by family-friendly national parks, this city has a number of things for kids to do. In particularly, Abel Tasman National Park is a highlight for kids, with canoeing, sailing and other activities. Kids will also enjoy a visit to Cable Bay Adventure Park or seeing the historically themed Founders Park.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Shanghai. 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.

Is Shanghai or Nelson Better for Couples?

Shanghai and Nelson both fantastic destinations for a couple.

Shanghai is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Nelson makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Wilderness, national parks, beaches, and mountain scenery make this a wonderful couples destination. The area also has beautiful vineyards and gardens as well hiking and outdoor adventures.

Is Shanghai or Nelson Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nelson is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Nelson. There are many hostels in the area as well as outdoor activities and adventure sports that backpackers will love.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Is Shanghai or Nelson Better for Students?

Shanghai is a well-known place for students. However, Nelson is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Nelson is not popular with students.

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

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

Visitors to Shanghai can move around easily with public transportation. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

Public transit is mostly limited in Nelson. The city has a local bus network, but to efficiently explore everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

Is Shanghai or Nelson a more walkable city?

Shanghai and Nelson both are very good when exploring on foot.

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.

Nelson is a very walkable destination. There are many great walks in the area and its a wonderful way to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Nelson or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Nelson?

In either Shanghai or Nelson, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Shanghai has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Shanghai than Nelson. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nelson.

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

Couples should spend more time in Shanghai than Nelson. 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 Nelson than Shanghai 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 Nelson.

One day in Shanghai or Nelson?

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 beautiful city of Nelson offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Nelson?

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.

Nelson is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Nelson?

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.

Nelson is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nelson, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Shanghai or Nelson?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cosmopolitan 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.

Nelson is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Nelson, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Nelson much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and Nelson is in Pacific, 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 Nelson would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nelson 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 Nelson.

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Nelson?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Nelson. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Nelson, 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.