Comparison · Shanghai vs Taipei · China / Taiwan
Shanghai vs Taipei
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Shanghai for The Bund and Pudong skyline; choose Taipei for Taipei 101, Night markets, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter. Taipei is generally less expensive, and the two are about 689 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 689 km
- Less expensive
- Taipei
- Best time for Shanghai
- April–May and October–November
- Best time for Taipei
- March–April and October–December
Side by side
| Shanghai | Taipei | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | China | Taiwan |
| Known for | The Bund, Pudong skyline and Xiaolongbao | Taipei 101, Night markets and National Palace Museum |
| Best time to visit | April–May and October–November | March–April and October–December |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $130–$250 | $100–$200 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 34°C (93°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 8°C (46°F) | January, 19°C (66°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | PVG, SHA | TPE, TSA |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Shanghai for…
The Bund and Pudong skyline. Shanghai splits along the Huangpu River: on the west bank, the 1920s and 1930s banks and hotels of the Bund, the Old City around Yu Garden and the plane-tree streets of the former French Concession; on the east bank, the Lujiazui towers led by the 632-metre…
Choose Taipei for…
Taipei 101, Night markets, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter. Taipei is Taiwan's capital, a compact city of about 2.5 million people in a basin ringed by green mountains. The 508-metre Taipei 101 dominates the Xinyi skyline, the National Palace Museum holds one of the world's largest collections of Chinese imperial…
Top sights compared
| # | Shanghai | Taipei |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Bund | Taipei 101 Observatory |
| 2 | Yu Garden | National Palace Museum |
| 3 | Shanghai Tower | Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall |
| 4 | Oriental Pearl Tower | Longshan Temple |
| 5 | Shanghai Museum | Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) |
Food compared
| Shanghai | Taipei |
|---|---|
| Soup dumplings | Beef noodle soup |
| Pan-fried pork buns | Xiaolongbao |
| Red-braised pork belly | Braised pork rice |
| Scallion oil noodles | Pepper bun |
Which is cheaper?
Taipei is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $100–$200 per person there, against $130–$250 in Shanghai (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Taipei on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Shanghai and Taipei are about 689 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Shanghai and 5 in Taipei.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Shanghai or Taipei cheaper?
Taipei is usually less expensive: about $100–$200 a day mid-range against $130–$250 (estimates).
+Is Shanghai or Taipei better for a first trip?
Pick Shanghai for The Bund and Pudong skyline, or Taipei for Taipei 101, Night markets, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter.
+How far is Shanghai from Taipei?
About 689 km in a straight line.