The Chinese aren’t the only ones with well developed regional stereotypes: among expats, Shanghai vs. Beijing is a common, and loaded, question. Your answer implies far more than just a simple preference for one booming metropolis over another. No, your answer to this question defines your character, personality, and probable life trajectory. If you prefer the dirtier, harder to navigate, less English-speaking, less western Beijing some will see you as more dedicated to the China experience - more adventurous, unwilling to shell out 100 yuan every morning for a fancy western breakfast, cappuccino, WiFi, and carrot ginger juice. On the other hand, are you slumming it in Beijing away from the successful people with the western salaries because you can’t compete? Is your professed affection for the “real” China simply a cover for not being able to land anything better than a part-time English teaching gig?

We asked readers which city they preferred and below are some of the responses. Add your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom.

Beijing is good for history of cool traditional ways. Shanghai is good for history of cool foreign influence.
rickymay / US

Shanghai is much better. At least wherever you live you can find a place to eat. Also, the taxi drivers know where to go; in Beijing they don’t even know where they are half of the time and always get lost. Also, in the new areas there are no taxis, it’s hard to find places to eat; I find Shanghai is 10 times better the Beijing
Anonymous

Personally, I prefer Beijing. Because I was born there, it’s just natural that I like her.
Tony / Beijing

Beijing is better because it has far less foreign influence and more government influence which is exciting and interesting for several reasons but primarily for the challenge that ensues as a foreigner trying to discover this multi-layered and faceted city. So many surprises in the midst of modernization!
Sandy / US

I've only been to Shanghai once on a school trip, though I just stayed there for two days I was offered porn. I've lived in Beijing for two years and have never been offered porn once. I don't know what this says about the two cities inhabitants' customs, attitudes and ideals, but, going on what little I know, Shanghai must be better because of it.
Mark / US

Beijing is better for me; Shanghai is not as diverse as Beijing
G / China

This is a quite big topic; those two cities each have their own way of surviving throughout history. Beijing is based on political culture and Shanghai on economic culture. Beijing is more 草根 [cǎogēn] culture (which means the low class culture), and Shanghai is more 小资 [xiǎozī] culture (which means the middle class culture). Beijing weather is dry, Shanghai weather is wet. Beijing people are more rough, but more warm; Shanghai in the other way around. Beijing is more like a big village, and Shanghai is a real city. Beijing is more practical, Shanghai is more luxurious... Beijing is the feeling of earth; Shanghai is the feeling of water. Beijing is a city with a heart but without blood vessels, Shanghai is a city with blood vessels without a heart... Personally I can hardly say I like or dislike either of them, as I have never stayed in Shanghai for more than two weeks so I don’t know that city so much. But I heard a metaphor which I more or less agree with, it said Beijing is a wife, and Shanghai is a lover.
XL / China

Beijing, because all my mates and my girlfriend live here. When it comes to this chestnut of a question that is the only answer I can give. I like Shanghai a lot as well and totally disagree that the city lacks "culture", as if culture were something a city could be seen to have or lack, like a subway system.
Lance / UK

I prefer China!
Xiao Yi / China

Definitely Shanghai. Beijing is not a city that you can walk in - you always need a car.
JG

I’ve only visited Shanghai a few times but, so far, I prefer Beijing. Beijing always seems more interesting to me; more complicated, more layered. Shanghai strikes me as bigger and glossier – the area around the Bund reminds me of the Michigan Ave area in Chicago – giant businesses and trendy expensive shopping half-catered towards tourists. Even the older buildings in Shanghai are more European in their architecture. I guess when it comes down to it, Beijing seems wilder and more foreign to me and I like that.
R / Australia

As a Beijing resident I returned to Shanghai for first time in 3 yrs last weekend expecting not to enjoy it. I had a great time. Beijing seems more Chinese, though.
B

For certain kinds of business Shanghai is still better than Beijing and if you want, and can afford, to live in a certain level of comfort than Shanghai is much more comfortable. If you’re making a good western salary you can live very well in Shanghai. Of course, there are nice condos in Beijing and international schools and restaurants but not as many. In my experience many people in Shanghai, even in smaller stores and restaurants, speak English while in Beijing very few people do.
Sarah / UK

Perspectives seeks to promote dialogue and cross-cultural understanding by featuring Chinese and foreign responses to a single question. Email us to be added to our weekly question mailing list or to suggest questions of your own and feel free to add your opinions in the comments section below.
 

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