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

Should you visit Shanghai or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix. 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 modern, cosmopolitan, and professional port city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Shanghai and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Phoenix?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Shanghai than Phoenix, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Shanghai is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix is known for its hiking. Shanghai is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also home to The Bund. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Shanghai different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Shanghai has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Shanghai or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Shanghai and Phoenix.

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 Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Shanghai or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Phoenix?

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Shanghai specifically to go shopping. 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Shanghai or Phoenix Better for Families?

Shanghai is a great port city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Shanghai or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Shanghai is a great port city for couples, as it 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Shanghai or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Shanghai is a great port city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Shanghai or Phoenix Better for Students?

Shanghai is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Shanghai is a great port city for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Shanghai. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Shanghai or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Shanghai is a great port city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Shanghai is a very walkable destination. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Shanghai and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Shanghai than in Phoenix. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

Because Shanghai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This port city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Phoenix offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Shanghai or Phoenix?

Because Shanghai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Shanghai has to offer.

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

Five days in Shanghai or Phoenix?

Shanghai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Shanghai has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shanghai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Shanghai. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Phoenix?

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

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Phoenix. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Shanghai is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shanghai in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shanghai this time of the year. In the summer, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shanghai usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

In October, Shanghai is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 19°C (65°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Shanghai or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Shanghai during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Shanghai in the winter. Shanghai is much colder than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Shanghai usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Phoenix. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Shanghai is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shanghai in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 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 Phoenix. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Shanghai