Should you visit Zhengzhou or Shanghai?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Zhengzhou and Shanghai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Zhengzhou
Along the Yellow River, a city from the future and the past resides. Ancient pagodas, futuristic domes, verdant gardens - Zhengzhou is a myriad of many worlds in one urban area. The provincial capital of the Henan Province, Zhengzhou is the encapsulation of a perfect city from its delicate balance of the natural and urban spheres. It was born during the Sui Dynasty, and its actual location was in the modern-day Chenggao. Moreover, Zhengzhou works as the political, economic, technological, and educational center of the province. The city is also one of the eight great ancient capitals of China, with a collection of architecture and art originating during iconic dynasties. These relics of the old world include the Shaolin Monastery, Henan Museum, the Pagoda Forest, the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory, the Songyue Pagoda, the Emperors of Yan and Huang, and the scenic views of the Yellow River. With over nine million inhabitants, Zhengzhou continues to grow at a thriving rate. It also should be noted that in June 2012, Greater Zhengzhou was named one of the thirteen emerging megacities in China according to the Economist Intelligent Unit. Known internationally for its amazing culmination of culture and history, Zhengzhou is the ideal city for travelers and inhabitants alike.
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".
Which city is cheaper, Shanghai or Zhengzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhengzhou is $88, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $103. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Zhengzhou and Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
Zhengzhou's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $64. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $32.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $146 for a double occupancy room in Shanghai.
Food
The average traveler spends about $25 per day in Zhengzhou for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
The average traveler spends about $19 per day in Shanghai for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Zhengzhou $25
Shanghai $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhengzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zhengzhou.
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Chengdu Private Food Tour (With Visit to Kuanzhai Alley and Hotpot Experience):
$32
-
Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum and Sanxingdui Museum Private Day Tour with Hotpot Dinner:
$76
-
Dim Sum Cooking Class and Wet Market Visit in Shanghai:
$78
-
Beijing Hutong Evening Food Tour by Tuk Tuk:
$80
-
Chengdu Panda Base Private Day Tour and Sichuan Cooking Class:
$83
-
Beijing Food Culture & Cooking Class:
$137
-
Zhengzhou Erqi Square and Night Markets Private Tour including Dinner:
$145
-
Shaolin Temple Afternoon Tour with Zen Music Ceremony and Dinner from Zhengzhou:
$286
Typical Food prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
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Online Chinese Cooking Class:
$22
-
Chengdu Private Food Tour (With Visit to Kuanzhai Alley and Hotpot Experience):
$32
-
Old Shanghai Breakfast Food Tour:
$52
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Cooking Class of Dumplings and Chinese Buns:
$56
-
3-Hour Shanghai Summer Night Local Dinner and Shopping Private Tour:
$65
-
Private Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with Vegetarian Option:
$69
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Private Authentic Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with a Lovely Local:
$70
-
3-Hour Shanghai City Walking Tour with Dinner:
$74
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Shanghai yummy food tour:
$75
-
Chinese Cooking Class in a Family Home:
$75
-
Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum and Sanxingdui Museum Private Day Tour with Hotpot Dinner:
$76
-
Dim Sum Cooking Class and Wet Market Visit in Shanghai:
$78
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Zhengzhou is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $57 per person, per day, on local transportation in Zhengzhou.
The average price of local transportation around Shanghai is $3.48 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhengzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhengzhou:
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Shenzhen Bay Port and Hong Kong (Trans-island):
$6.45
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Panyu and Hong Kong by Eternal East Bus:
$11
-
Shared Shenzhen Airport (SZX) Coach Transfers for Hong Kong (Trans-Island):
$12
-
Shared Coach Transfers Between Hong Kong and Zhaoqing by EE Bus:
$12
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Foshan and Hong Kong by Eternal East Bus:
$13
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Hong Kong and Huadu by Eternal East Bus:
$13
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Shunde and Hong Kong:
$14
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Foshan and Hong Kong:
$14
-
Shared Coach Transfers Between Guangzhou and Hong Kong:
$14
-
Shared Coach Transfers Between Heyuan and Hong Kong by EE Bus:
$15
-
Shared Hong Kong International Airport Transfers (HKG) for Shenzhen:
$15
-
Private Harbin Railway Station Transfer for Harbin:
$20
Typical Local Transportation prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
-
Taxi Ride
$4.03
-
Two Subway Tickets
$0.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
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1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Transfer service Mini Group package:
$146
-
1-way Private Transfer From Shanghai Pudong Airport to Hangzhou:
$123
-
1-way Private Transfer From Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou New District-SND:
$117
-
1-way Transfer Between Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and Kunshan Per Vehicle Price:
$74
-
1-way Transfer Between Shanghai Pudong Airport and Jiaxing:
$153
-
1-way Transfer Between Shanghai Pudong Airport and Kunshan Per Vehicle Price:
$95
-
1-way Transfer Between Shanghai Pudong Airport and Yiwu Per Vehicle Price:
$388
-
1-way Transfer Between Shanghai and Nanxun Water Town Per Vehicle Price:
$164
-
1-way Transfer Between Shanghai and Wuzhen Water Town Per Vehicle Price:
$159
-
1-way Transfer Between Shanghai and Zhouzhuang Water Town Per Vehicle Price:
$93
-
1-way Transfer between Shanghai Pudong Airport and Changshu Per Vehicle Price:
$135
-
1way Transfer from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Downtown:
$48
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhengzhou or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai and Zhengzhou 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Zhengzhou typically cost an average of $7.36 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Shanghai's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $7.58 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Zhengzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Zhengzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Hupao Park Ticket in Hangzhou (For Mainland China ID Holders):
$2.35
-
China Red Sandalwood Museum Ticket in Beijing :
$2.79
-
Simatai Great Wall Admission with Cable Car Ticket in Beijing:
$3.09
-
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket Chengdu - ID Card Direct Entry:
$4.19
-
Evergreen Resort Ticket in Shenzhen:
$6.19
-
Jinxi Ancient Town Attractions Combo Ticket:
$6.99
-
Gulangyu Seashell Museum Ticket:
$7.45
-
Ferry Round Trip Ticket between Xiamen City and Gulangyu Sanqiutian Pier:
$8.55
-
Ferry Round Trip Ticket between Xiamen City and Gulangyu Neicuoao Pier:
$8.55
-
Wuyishan Xiamei Ancient Village Admission Ticket:
$8.55
-
Beijing Palace Museum Ticket (The Forbidden City):
$9.29
-
Shanghai Joy City Rooftop Ferris Wheel - Sky Ring Ticket:
$9.29
Typical Entertainment prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
-
Hupao Park Ticket in Hangzhou (For Mainland China ID Holders):
$2.35
-
China Red Sandalwood Museum Ticket in Beijing :
$2.79
-
Simatai Great Wall Admission with Cable Car Ticket in Beijing:
$3.09
-
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket Chengdu - ID Card Direct Entry:
$4.19
-
half day tour of shanghai:
$5.34
-
Evergreen Resort Ticket in Shenzhen:
$6.19
-
Jinxi Ancient Town Attractions Combo Ticket:
$6.99
-
Gulangyu Seashell Museum Ticket:
$7.45
-
Ferry Round Trip Ticket between Xiamen City and Gulangyu Sanqiutian Pier:
$8.55
-
Wuyishan Xiamei Ancient Village Admission Ticket:
$8.55
-
Ferry Round Trip Ticket between Xiamen City and Gulangyu Neicuoao Pier:
$8.55
-
Shanghai Joy City Rooftop Ferris Wheel - Sky Ring Ticket:
$9.29
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Zhengzhou may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $5.68 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $6.61 on alcoholic beverages in Shanghai per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel:
$255
-
3 Hour Local Craft Beer Crawl with Brewery Tour:
$350
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhengzhou and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Zhengzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhengzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhengzhou 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 Zhengzhou.
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