beijing or shanghai?
China's two best-known cities, and the usual first choice for a China trip from KL. Beijing is about history, with the Forbidden City, the hutongs and the Great Wall a couple of hours out, while Shanghai is the modern one, with a famous skyline, colonial-era banks and leafy streets made for walking and eating.
beijing
Dear group chat,Great Wall hikes, the Forbidden City, hutong alleys and proper Peking duck.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingBeijingCN, Beijing
shanghai
Dear group chat,The Bund skyline at night, xiaolongbao for breakfast and French Concession strolls.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingShanghaiCN, Shanghai
- From KL
- beijingAbout 4,350 km
- shanghaiAbout 3,750 km
- Best months
- beijingApr–May, Sept–Oct
- shanghaiApr–May, Oct–Nov
- Vibe
- beijingImperial capital of palaces, parks and hutongs
- shanghaiBig, modern city of skylines and leafy streets
- Sights
- beijingForbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
- shanghaiThe Bund, Lujiazui, Yu Garden, French Concession
- Food
- beijingPeking duck, jianbing, zhajiangmian
- shanghaiXiaolongbao, shengjian bao, hairy crab in autumn
- Halal food
- beijingNiujie's old Muslim quarter and halal lamb
- shanghaiLanzhou-style halal noodle shops all over
- Getting there
- beijingAbout 6.5 hours' direct flight from KL
- shanghaiAbout 5.5 hours' direct flight from KL
- Day trips
- beijingThe Great Wall at Mutianyu, 1.5–2 hours out
- shanghaiSuzhou and Hangzhou, under an hour by train
Go beijing if…
- the Great Wall is non-negotiable
- history and imperial palaces are why you're going to China
- you can go in September or October, avoiding Golden Week
- you want Peking duck where it comes from
Go shanghai if…
- you prefer skylines, cafés and shopping to palaces
- you'd like the shorter flight
- a day trip to Suzhou or Hangzhou appeals
- xiaolongbao for breakfast sounds like the right start
The verdict
Beijing is the history trip, and the Great Wall alone makes it worth going; Shanghai is the easier city break, better for walking, eating and shopping. Can't decide? For a first trip to China, Beijing has the bigger sights; with a week, take the high-speed train between them, about 4.5–6 hours, and do both. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly either way.