Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Shenzhen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenzhen and Shanghai can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
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".
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $123, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $115. 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 Shenzhen and Shanghai in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen or Shanghai? 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.
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.
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Shenzhen 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.
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Shenzhen and Shanghai, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Shenzhen. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen and Shanghai, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Shanghai. Additionally, many travelers come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Shenzhen is generally around the same temperature as Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 30°C (85°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenzhen this time of the year. In the summer, Shenzhen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shanghai. Shenzhen gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 232 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Shanghai. Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in July than Shanghai. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Shanghai and Shenzhen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, 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.
Shenzhen is a little warmer than Shanghai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Shanghai fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Shenzhen usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during autumn. Shenzhen gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 162 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. In October, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Shanghai and Shenzhen during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Shanghai can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Shenzhen is much warmer than Shanghai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shenzhen in January average around 16°C (60°F), and Shanghai averages at about 4°C (39°F).
In the winter, Shenzhen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shanghai. Shenzhen gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 135 hours of full sun.
Shenzhen usually gets less rain in January than Shanghai. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Shanghai. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Shenzhen is generally much warmer than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 23°C (73°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Shenzhen usually receives less sunshine than Shanghai during spring. Shenzhen gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Shenzhen | Shanghai | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
May | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |