Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Shijiazhuang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Shijiazhuang or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shijiazhuang 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.
Where Should I go: Shijiazhuang or Shanghai?
Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang is the capital city of Hebei Province in China. It is a fairly young city, acting as the regional transport hub and economic center, though there are a few sights worth seeing. The city is also the largest pharmaceutical hub in China, as well as an important center for textile, IT, manufacturing, and chemical industries.
Shanghai
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 Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShijiazhuang $77Shanghai $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Shijiazhuang is $77, 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 Shijiazhuang and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShijiazhuang $44Shanghai $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShijiazhuang $88Shanghai $162
Compare Hotels in Shijiazhuang and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Shijiazhuang 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shijiazhuang $27Shanghai $3.87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.59
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Two Subway Tickets$0.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Private Transfer between Shanghai Pudong Int'l Airport & Hongqiao Airport : $45
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to City Center : $30
- 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
- 3-hour Private Transfer to Shanghai ERA Acrobatic Show from City Center: $53
- Arrival Private Transfer Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai City by Standard Sedan: $74
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai in Business Car : $112
- Arrival Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Hotel: $79
- Chauffeur service, Limousine airport transfer in Shanghai-English speaking: $51
- Departure Private Transfer: Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG in Business Car: $112
- Departure Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Hotel to Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $79
- Flexible Hours of Private Shanghai Layover or Transfer Tour: $129
- Flexible Hours of Shanghai Layover and Transfer Tour with Driver Only: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Shijiazhuang or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Shijiazhuang 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayShijiazhuang $18Shanghai $21
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.38
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.19
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Cantelope$1.66
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Dumplings and Soup$2.07
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Duck Dinner$4.15
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Pastries$2.90
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Barbeque Dinner$8.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $69
- 2.5hrs Chinese Kitchen Cooking Class: Xiaolongbao Soup Dumplings: $70
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late night food tour in Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Shanghai Evening Food Tour/Shanghai tour gastronomico nocturno : $85
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- Eat Like A Local: Shanghai Night Food Tour: $90
- Shanghai's Koreatown Food Tour: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shijiazhuang $4.35Shanghai $8.44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$28
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Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking: $14
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions: $14
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tour：Harmony & Spirituality in Garden Art: $20
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour: $29
- Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Shanghai Hotels to Wusongkou Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Great service: $38
- Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
- Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Port to Hongqiao Airport:Private with Meet service: $40
- Fudan University Student Guide Tour: $42
- Haipai Culture Tour｜Shanghai's Past, Present & Future On One Road: $43
- Shanghai Tower Tickets Booking: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShijiazhuang $5.14Shanghai $7.36
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl: unique bar-hopping tour 2024: $20
- Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shijiazhuang and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Shijiazhuang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shijiazhuang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shijiazhuang Expensive? and Is Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shijiazhuang or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Shijiazhuang. When comparing the sizes of Shijiazhuang 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.
When is the best time to visit Shijiazhuang or Shanghai?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Shanghai in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shijiazhuang and Shanghai. Furthermore, many travelers come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Shijiazhuang is around the same temperature as Shanghai in the summer. The daily temperature in Shijiazhuang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shijiazhuang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shijiazhuang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Shanghai. Shijiazhuang gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShijiazhuang 27°C (81°F)Shanghai 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Shanghai in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Shijiazhuang as well as Shanghai. Additionally, 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.
In the autumn, Shijiazhuang is cooler than Shanghai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shijiazhuang in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Shanghai averages at about 19°C (65°F).
Shijiazhuang usually gets less rain in October than Shanghai. Shijiazhuang gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShijiazhuang 15°C (59°F)Shanghai 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Shanghai in the Winter?
Both Shanghai and Shijiazhuang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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. Shijiazhuang can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Shijiazhuang is generally much colder than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Shijiazhuang average around -2°C (29°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
In January, Shijiazhuang usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Shijiazhuang gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShijiazhuang -2°C (29°F)Shanghai 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Shanghai in the Spring?
Both Shanghai and Shijiazhuang during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Shijiazhuang is around the same temperature as Shanghai in the spring. The daily temperature in Shijiazhuang averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Shijiazhuang usually gets less rain in April than Shanghai. Shijiazhuang gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShijiazhuang 15°C (60°F)Shanghai 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Shanghai and Shijiazhuang
| Shijiazhuang | Shanghai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (33°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 21°C (71°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.