By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: Shanghai or Shenzhen? Where would you go? Why?
Been doing a lot of research about which city i want to go to. Basically, after 5 years of Korea i want a change of scenery. I've narrowed myself down to either Shenzhen or Shanghai - purely a sporting decision to be honest, both cities have a field hockey team. Seriously, that's the only criteria i have for moving to a new city as its been a nightmare trying to find a game in Korea. Crazy? Probably, but hey ho, each to their own.
Any thoughts about either city and why you prefer it to the other?
Cheers
Shenzhen has easy access to Hong Kong and Macau to escape the insane asylum.
CARLGODWIN1983:
Problem with this now is that, because so many Chinese now go to Hong Kong especially, it is no longer a place to be enjoyed and relaxed in like it was even three years ago; when I went for the first time after a fourteen year absence (Lived there for a year when I was a very little man).
Hong Kong used to be my favourite city outside London, but I don't feel quite the same about it now. You just need to experience the queues for the foreigners now that they have been reduced to as few as two lines as a result of the ever-increasing number of Chinese who go there.
I am in Shenzhen, and it is alright a city, but be prepared; it is not a cheap city in the slightest. Neither will Shanghai be for that matter, but I haven't been in Shanghai long enough to experience it. Don't forget though, that Shanghai had the World Expo in 2010 and a lot of Shanghai was redeveloped for this, so it is more modern than Shenzhen in parts. Shanghai is also often regarded as the most popular and best city in CHina by both expats and chinese. To counter this, Shanghai is also expensive, so I have been informed, but am not experienced enough there to compare to Shenzhen.
Scandinavian:
Hong Kong/Macau during weekends holidays = Awful
Hong Kong/Macau during weekdays = Wonderful
dom87:
seriously maybe i m stupid or so but i think shanghai is as modern as my toaster was 10 years ago back in germany.
Lived in Shenzhen for about five/six months and I didn't like it, mainly because it's got no history, it's only something like thirty years old, completely devoid of character. Shanghai on the other hand has a wealth of it, and though i've never lived there, i've visited a few times and I loved it. Even when I nearly got taken for two thousand yuan there on the old tea scam. I'd choose Shanghai every time.
I wouldn't bother with either, both expensive and overcrowded. The only good thing about Shenzhen is it's easy to travel to other places both within and out of China, especially out of China as you are near to HK.
Consider moving to Dongguan, it's close to Shenzhen so you could travel there at weekends to play Hockey.
ironman510:
You're wrong, Shenzhen isn't at all over crowded, anyone can still find a seat on a Subway in the morning. I been driving here for years, only had traffic jams during holidays or 5:PM.
hiddenjelly:
I've always felt it to be crowded although I've only driven there a few times. I suppose GZ is more crowded but then again I'm used to the uncrowded Dongguan.
SZ for me (I lived there 3+ yrs) simply because of access to HK. Dongmen in SZ is kinda cool to experience once in a while and to be fair SZ does seem to have a more modern outlook on life than most of PRC. (at least the young peeps seem to)
The fast ferry service between Shekou and HKIA is sweet !
Shenzhen is by far my favotire city in China. Living in Futian close to all the fun.
Someone wrote Shenzhen has no history, maybe not, but it has mountains and beautiful nature.
Shanghai is also a quite new city with limited history, so I don't really see the difference.
What I especially like about Shenzhen compared to other Chinese cities:
- Cleaner and less pollution. Blue sky each day. Shanghai has a depressing gray bubble above it most days.
- Less crowded. Everyone who has been in Shanghai during rush hour has probably tried to be pushed around. Especially if trying to take the metro. Or taxis. Shenzhen's people are less pushy - the keyword is less! Metro is also less crowded.
- More diverse. Shenzhen is a brought together city so you can get authentic Chinese food from most provinces. You can also see lots of people with tattoos and strange clothing. I have rarely seen that in Shanghai.
- Close to Hong Kong and Macau.
- Close to 2 (!) international airports. Both Guangzhou and Hong Kong airports are fairly close. Hong Kong airport is even easier to reach from Shekou than Shenzhen airport (which is fine for domestic).
I tried to write this as objective as possible. Hope you find it useful.
I've been in Shenzhen 5 years, See you in COCO park. Forget Shanghai. It's the best here.
As some write. Shenzhen is limited on old stuff. Although that is true, I think we are all aware of how little one tends to play tourist where one lives. Shenzhen has lots of stuff nearby. High speed rail and affordable plane tickets. Shanghai has that too, but no one in the right mind would fly from Shanghai to Shenzhen for fun.
Xiamen is better than both. 
Scandinavian:
...and Zhuhai tops Xiamen, but the OP is between SH and SZ
manasyt:
Haven't been to Zhuhai yet...OK, Shanghai and Shenzhen both suck, better?
