Beijing or Shanghai....which would you choose for a two-day quick stop?

pg22

Platinum Member
Feb 9, 2000
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Ok, for two days only, I might be able to visit Beijing OR Shanghai (not both).

This wasn't even part of the plan, as in the two weeks prior I will be in Japan and after I will be in Israel/Egpyt/Jordan for a month.

But for whatever reason, flying from Tokyo > China > Israel is INSANELY cheaper than going from Tokyo > Israel.

Anyway, back to the point. Since the flight stop in China, I might possibly be able to swing two days in either Beijing or Shanghai.

What would you choose, and why?
 

Alkaline5

Senior member
Jun 21, 2001
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Uh, I'd pick whichever one currently exists at this point in time. Aren't they the same city?
 

Feldenak

Lifer
Jan 31, 2003
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Personally, I'd try to visit someplace that holds some interest for me....ie. nowhere in East Asia
 

pg22

Platinum Member
Feb 9, 2000
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Well, it was either there or Birmingham, Alabama. It was a tough choice.
 

brtspears2

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2000
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Beijing. Sounds like a lot of new construction is completed for the Olympics and plenty of history to see. Shanghai would be nice to during the 2010 expo.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
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Originally posted by: Alkaline5
Uh, I'd pick whichever one currently exists at this point in time. Aren't they the same city?
i can't tell if this is sarcasm or stupidity.

anyways, i would check out beijing and take a look at the forbidden city or go alittle out to the Great wall. Shanghai is cool but it's just a large metropolitan city, there's more historical elements in beijing.
 

Feldenak

Lifer
Jan 31, 2003
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Originally posted by: pg22
Well, it was either there or Birmingham, Alabama. It was a tough choice.

Yeah, me living in Birmingham means I've never travelled anywhere outside the US.
 

Kaieye

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Beijing for the historical sights is what I would go for. Shanghai for eating and shopping if you like. Time to go back for a visit after a absence of 26 years...
 

cheapgoose

Diamond Member
May 13, 2002
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Well, I'm biased considering I'm from Shanghai.

I haven't been back there for years, but I've been told the night life is excellent. I would mention food too but both cities has great food. If you go to Beiking, you have to go to the duck house.
 

Mermaidman

Diamond Member
Sep 4, 2003
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I'd choose Beijing because Shanghai is becoming your typical giant Asian city. Beijing would be more unique.
 

UncleWai

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2001
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Go Beijing for some historical sites. Shanghai is just a typical Asian metropolitan city.
 

CTrain

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: pg22
Well, it was either there or Birmingham, Alabama. It was a tough choice.

Forbidden City or chicken farm
Great wall or cotton field
2008 Olympic or rednecks

I know, I know tough choices.
 

talyn00

Golden Member
Oct 18, 2003
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Originally posted by: Mo0o
Originally posted by: Alkaline5
Uh, I'd pick whichever one currently exists at this point in time. Aren't they the same city?
i can't tell if this is sarcasm or stupidity.

anyways, i would check out beijing and take a look at the forbidden city or go alittle out to the Great wall. Shanghai is cool but it's just a large metropolitan city, there's more historical elements in beijing.

I'm guessing stupidity.
 

Feldenak

Lifer
Jan 31, 2003
14,090
2
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Originally posted by: CTrain
Originally posted by: pg22
Well, it was either there or Birmingham, Alabama. It was a tough choice.

Forbidden City or chicken farm
Great wall or cotton field
2008 Olympic or rednecks

I know, I know tough choices.

You live in FL. Be careful throwing stones at where other people live/work.
 

Alkaline5

Senior member
Jun 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: talyn00
Originally posted by: Mo0o
Originally posted by: Alkaline5
Uh, I'd pick whichever one currently exists at this point in time. Aren't they the same city?
i can't tell if this is sarcasm or stupidity.

anyways, i would check out beijing and take a look at the forbidden city or go alittle out to the Great wall. Shanghai is cool but it's just a large metropolitan city, there's more historical elements in beijing.

I'm guessing stupidity.
I prefer to think I'm just ignorant.
 

bennylong

Platinum Member
Apr 20, 2006
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I would definitely go with Beijing for all the historical sites.

Shanghai if you are into the nightlife and doing ecstasy, crank, sweet lady H, etc., which seems to be very popular amongst the newly rich in Shanghai.
 

neutralizer

Lifer
Oct 4, 2001
11,552
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Depends on what you want to see:

Beijing: historical sites, very unique buildings and areas
Shanghai: Nightlife, pretty lights, modern Chinese city
 

Turnpike

Senior member
Oct 30, 2003
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i agree with everyone above and have been to both cities. besides.... tokyo is like shanghai but better and beijing offers you things to see/do that shanghai doesn't. beijing is also cheaper!
 

chrisms

Diamond Member
Mar 9, 2003
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Sorry to remind you of the obvious but China has some strict/expensive visa policies. I wouldn't be surprised if you had to pay $100 just to get permission to enter the country for those two days. Don't quote me on that though. Give an update when you get back, I have an interest in visiting every country you are going to.
 

bennylong

Platinum Member
Apr 20, 2006
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Originally posted by: chrisms
Sorry to remind you of the obvious but China has some strict/expensive visa policies. I wouldn't be surprised if you had to pay $100 just to get permission to enter the country for those two days. Don't quote me on that though. Give an update when you get back, I have an interest in visiting every country you are going to.

I think it's $50 for the Visa.
 

chrisms

Diamond Member
Mar 9, 2003
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Originally posted by: bennylong
Originally posted by: chrisms
Sorry to remind you of the obvious but China has some strict/expensive visa policies. I wouldn't be surprised if you had to pay $100 just to get permission to enter the country for those two days. Don't quote me on that though. Give an update when you get back, I have an interest in visiting every country you are going to.

I think it's $50 for the Visa.

If I remember correctly it must be obtained in advance through an agency and ends up costing around $100. If you are able to send it yourself to an embassy perhaps it is cheaper. Like I said don't quote me, this info is readily available on the internet but I'm too lazy to look it up.

Either way I do believe it requires some advance warning as your passport must be mailed somewhere and back.
 

Kwaipie

Golden Member
Nov 30, 2005
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I was just in Shanghai, I wish I had more time there. It was just a 1 day stopover before I flew deeper in country. It is very modern. Beijing would be a ripoff if you were only there for 2 days. If it were more than that, I'd say Beijing, since it is only 2 days, I'd go to Shanghai.