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

Should you visit Shanghai or Paihia?

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 Paihia. 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 professional, diverse, and bustling port city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of Shanghai is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Shanghai travel costs.

Paihia

Paihia is a relaxing, fun-filled, and beautiful coastal town. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Paihia travel costs.

Shanghai and Paihia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Paihia?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Shanghai than Paihia, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Shanghai is better known for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Paihia is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Paihia is more touristy than Shanghai and is popular for its warm year round climate, impressive beaches, and world class snorkeling and scuba diving. Shanghai is well known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. Also, Shanghai is famous for The Bund.

How is Shanghai different from Paihia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Shanghai is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Shanghai are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Paihia. There are some interesting cultural sights in the area like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Museum of Waitangi.

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

Shanghai is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Shanghai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Dining out in Paihia is an experience not to be missed. Local seafood, regional produce, and fresh ingredients make dining in the area a rewarding experience. You'll find fine dining restaurants, pizzerias, and local cafes to choose from.

Is Shanghai or Paihia Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Shanghai and Paihia.

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 Paihia. As a holiday spot, there are a number of clubs and bars that cater to tourists in the area.

Is Shanghai or Paihia Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paihia is notable for its diving and snorkeling. However, Shanghai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Paihia. There are scuba diving and snorkel shops available around town where you can organize trips and excursions to experience the undersea world.

Shanghai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Shanghai or Paihia Better for Beaches?

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

Paihia offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are stunning beaches both in Paihia and throughout the Bay of Islands. Paihia Beach is in town. It's small but nice and makes a great picnic spot. For a more secluded spot head to Matauri Bay Beach or Takou Bay.

Shanghai is not a beach destination.

Is Shanghai or Paihia Better for Hiking?

Paihia is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Paihia is a popular spot for hiking. The Bay of Islands is filled with coastal walks and peaceful hikes. This is a great way to soak up the area's atmosphere and take in some spectacular views.

Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Paihia?

Shanghai is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Shanghai draws large crowds to its 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.

Many visitors go to Paihia to go shopping. There are plenty of retail stores around town where you can pick up clothes or enjoy some souvenir shopping.

Is Shanghai or Paihia More Beautiful?

Shanghai is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Paihia is not a destination known for its beauty.

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.

Paihia is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Shanghai or Paihia Better for Families?

Paihia 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, Paihia is very family-friendly. Beaches, dolphin spotting, ice cream, and chocolate factories make the Bay of Islands the perfect place for a family vacation. There are amazing walking trails like the Manginangina Kauri Walk and opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. There are also adventure spots and great beaches.

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 Paihia Better for Couples?

Shanghai and Paihia both terrific 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.

Paihia makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. You can enjoy sunset boat cruises, sip wine with a waterfront view, or walk through pristine natural areas. For thrill seekers there are adrenaline filled activities like parasailing or scuba diving.

Is Shanghai or Paihia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Shanghai and Paihia are excellent destinations for backpackers.

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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Paihia. There are a handful of hostels around town as well as many great activities for backpackers like scuba diving or parasailing.

Is Shanghai or Paihia Better for Students?

Shanghai is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Paihia is not popular with students.

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.

Paihia is not popular with students.

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

Shanghai is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Paihia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are ferries and some intercity buses through the Bay of Islands.

Is Shanghai or Paihia a more walkable city?

Shanghai is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Paihia is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to explore parts of the town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Paihia or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Paihia?

In either Shanghai or Paihia, 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 Paihia. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 3-5 days is enough time in Paihia.

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

Couples should spend more time in Shanghai than Paihia. 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 Paihia 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 Paihia?

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 coastal town of Paihia offers museums and nightlife. 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 Paihia?

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.

Paihia 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 Paihia?

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.

Paihia is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Paihia, 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 Paihia?

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.

Paihia is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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 coastal town 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Paihia?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 7510 times larger than the population of Paihia. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Paihia, 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.