Shanghai or Peking? If you only have time for one city.

[romafan]

Originally Posted by Crane's

Peking.

+1, and order the duck.....

 

[zupermaus]

Shanghai is like NYC (it actually has more highrises now, 4000 over 400ft and counting), and it is currently going through a historical makeover also. Vast tracks of the city are being preserved after years of development (think brick built early 20th century restorations) and fucntioning as nightlife and cafe zones following the inordinate success of Xintiandi - Hongkou Jewish quarter and the French Concession are now getting the same treatment. There are also more art deco buildings there than anywhere else in the world (not just The Bund!). The Old City is pretty much an open air mall of rebuilt beautiful old style Chinese architecture, but the alleyways are full of genuine, traditional Chinese streetlife and markets. Population 23 million. Shanghai:

4000 skyscrapers

Xintiandi district

Old City

Puxi streetlife:

Beijing is far more staid and grand and monolithic. It has had a makeover, but dont think its all historical. If I can describe it best its like a cross between LA and DC - lowrise, modern, with grand avenues and monolithic buildings, and the greatest hits of the last dynasty preserved. Loads of traffic, pollution and grandiosity. One thing distinctly lacking in this city, remarkable to Chinese visitors too, is the lack of vibrant streetlife everywhere as with most Chinese cities (though the main shopping street Wangfujing is a good place to see it). Do go to the Factory 798 district for Beijing's art scene, currently touted as soon to be the new worlds capital of art (taking over from current holder, Berlin). Population 17 million. Beijing:

hutong lanes

Beijing is largely modern, despite thousands of hutongs:

Beijing Linked hybrid and Grand Theater

In short the cultural zeitgeist of Shanghai is unmissable, as are the historical sites of Beijing. You decide which one you want to do first. Excitement and visual wow- go to Shanghai, grandiosity and more calm, go to Beijing. My bet is on Shanghai, its livelier, and strangely its streets look more historic.

 

[zupermaus]

a great thread posted TODAY (as up to date as it gets) on Shanghai streets and life: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...2#post22029102

 

[West24]

theres a jewish quarter in shanghai?

 

[zupermaus]

during the war Shanghai housed Jews fleeing the Nazis (both Chinese and Japanese occupiers defended them). The district is called Hongkou, the Jews moved out after the war ended but their synagogues and houses are still there.

 

[West24]

wow that sounds pretty cool. be interesting to see it.

 

[modern_leifeng]

Originally Posted by West24

wow that sounds pretty cool. be interesting to see it.

unfortunately, a lot of the places aren't open to the public and the main way to see it is an insanely priced tour (something like US$40). Have always wanted to do it, but have also always debated whether it was really worth it or not...

 

[Antonio Centeno]

Peking, more history

 

[West24]

that really sucks. maybe theyd give me a jewish discount!

 

[vitaminc]

If you are only going to one city only, Shanghai to get laid, Beijing to have access to history.

If you are going to do a tour around China, Shanghai for sure. A lot of historically prosperous cities are within 5 hours drive.

Generally the further away from Beijing the cheaper and better sex/alcohol services are.

 

[reac99]

Only been to Shanghai but I do certainly recommend it for a visit. Shanghai at night looks like it's straight out of Bladerunner.

 

[zupermaus]

I wouldnt take the cheaper the sex as a glowing reccommendation.

 

[zupermaus]

Shanghai has loads of history, the streetscapes resemble a cross between NYC (mix of skycsrapers, art deco and brownstones) and an Old Chinese City plonked on the side - its very pedestrianised and European in charcater, with street cafes and buzzing nightlife.
Beijing more resembles LA, although adversely it is by far the older city with the showcase attractions of surviving history, it also is mostly new development, and uncharacteristically carcentric.

 

[Casey]

Funny enough, I'm experiencing jet lag right now because I just came back from a 12 day trip which included 3 days in Shanghai and 5 days in Beijing. I first thought I would like Shanghai much better but after experiencing it, I would go to Beijing if I had another chance. There's more space in the city and even though the air is extremely polluted, everything else is spotless (probably because of the olympics) and the weather is much nicer. There's much more to do because you can go sightseeing in historic parts of the city one day and go shopping at malls and markets the next day and see all the new modern architecture. However, I must say that the restaurants in Shanghai were a little better than the ones in Beijing. But then again, I started off in Shanghai and ended in Beijing so I was tired of Chinese food by then.