Beijing - Shanghai Travel Experience

For travelers around the world, China has always been an attractive destination thanks to its long-standing culture and modern development. Among the many fascinating cities in this vast country, Beijing and Shanghai stand out like two precious gems, promising countless unforgettable travel experiences.

1. Beijing and Shanghai – The Most Glamorous Cities in China

1.1 Beijing – The "Capital of Light" in Asia

As the capital of China, Beijing is a symbol of a thousand-year-old civilization and also the most populous city in the country. For tourists, this northern city is always a top destination when visiting Asia.Famous historical architectural sites such as Zuo Yun Pagoda, Gu Zi Lian, Si Ling Fortress, along with UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, attract millions of visitors every year.

Beijing is also a major hub for education and research in China, home to top universities like Tsinghua University and Peking University. At the same time, the city treats tourists to a variety of delicious and iconic dishes such as Peking duck, baozi (steamed buns), and baijiu (Chinese white liquor).

Beijing is a city with a long history, rich culture, and stunning architecture.

1.2 Shanghai – The "Paris of the East"

If Beijing is a place to explore history and culture, then Shanghai is where tourists can experience China’s vibrant and modern pace of life. Located in the southeast of the country, Shanghai is known as a top financial, commercial, and industrial center. Upon arrival, visitors will be overwhelmed by the towering skyscrapers, bustling shopping streets, and modern transportation system.

Despite its modernity, Shanghai still carries a deep-rooted traditional charm. This is reflected through old neighborhoods with unique architecture, such as the French Concession and foreign districts. Not to mention, Shanghai is also a culinary paradise that offers a harmonious blend of traditional Chinese dishes and international cuisine.

Shanghai is also known as one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.

See more: Useful self-guided travel tips in Shanghai, China

2. When Is the Best Time to Travel to Beijing and Shanghai?

Beijing and Shanghai are beautiful in every season, but the most ideal time to travel to these two cities is autumn (September – November). During this time, the weather is mild and cool, allowing you to easily participate in outdoor activities.

Thanks to the pleasant weather, the autumn scenery in Beijing – Shanghai is also full of romance. You can witness the transformation as tree leaves turn yellow and fiery red, brightening up the sky and creating a magnificent natural painting.

Compared to other seasons, autumn is not the peak tourist season in China. This gives you the comfort to explore places without overcrowding. However, autumn is also the season of many traditional Chinese festivals, giving you the opportunity to experience local culture in a deeper way.

Every year in Shanghai during autumn, the Yu Garden Lantern Festival is held by locals during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Although autumn is the ideal time to travel to Beijing and Shanghai, depending on your preferences and plans, you may also consider other travel seasons:

Spring (March – May): Unpredictable weather with alternating sunshine and rain, suitable for travelers who enjoy flower viewing.
Summer (June – August): Hot and humid weather with frequent rain, not ideal for those who enjoy outdoor activities.
Winter (December – February): Cold weather with low temperatures and snowfall, but this is also the time when many unique winter festivals are held.

3. How far is Shanghai from Beijing? Transportation options between Beijing and Shanghai

3.1 Traveling from Beijing to Shanghai

As two of the largest cities in China, the transportation system between Beijing and Shanghai is modern and convenient. If you’re wondering how many hours it takes from Beijing to Shanghai, the travel time depends on the mode of transportation you choose:

Taking the Beijing – Shanghai high-speed train

How far is Shanghai from Beijing? The answer is over 1,200 km. For travelers who have flexible schedules and wish to enjoy the scenery, the travel time between these two cities by high-speed train is approximately 5–6 hours. The advantage of this method is that you don’t have to worry about weather conditions, as trains run on schedule daily and ticket prices are fixed.

From Beijing, there are two high-speed train stations with departures to Shanghai each day: Beijing Railway Station and Beijing South Railway Station. Specifically, Beijing South Station operates many G and D trains, while Beijing Railway Station only has D trains.

D Trains: 19:30, 19:08, 19:34, 21:04, 21:07
G Trains: 6:43, 6:53, 7:20, 7:50, 8:05, 8:35, 8:50, 9:00, 9:15, 9:20, 9:25, 10:00, 10:05, 10:20, ...
Flying from Beijing to Shanghai

If you're short on time, you can book a flight from Beijing to Shanghai. It takes just over 4 hours, with ticket prices ranging from 3,000,000 to 9,000,000 VND, and you will land at Shanghai Airport.

From Vietnam, the only way to save time and costs to reach Beijing is by plane. Book your flight with Vietjet today to China, with fares starting from only 490,000 VND. See detailed information HERE.

3.2 Getting Around Within Beijing and Shanghai

Getting around the inner cities of Beijing and Shanghai is not too difficult thanks to abundant public transportation like subways, buses, etc., which are widely available and reasonably priced. To navigate easily and avoid getting lost, you should research the public transit routes in advance when traveling in Beijing and Shanghai.

If you want to save time, you can choose to take a taxi to your favorite places. However, taxi fares in both Beijing and Shanghai can be quite expensive.

See more: How to get around in China?

4. Top Tourist Attractions in Beijing – Shanghai

4.1 What to do in Beijing?

Summer Palace (Di Hoa Vien): This is a large royal garden that used to be a summer retreat for Qing dynasty emperors. Visiting here, you’ll enjoy the fresh air, a peaceful lake, admire intricate architecture, and explore the lavish royal lifestyle.

The Summer Palace is located on the western outskirts. It also holds valuable cultural and historical significance.

Forbidden City (Tu Cam Thanh): One of the largest and best-preserved imperial palaces in the world, the Forbidden City is considered a symbol of Chinese power and culture. Here, you’ll admire the unique architecture, precious artifacts, and learn about the lives of the emperors.
Great Wall of China (Van Ly Truong Thanh): The Great Wall is one of the world’s wonders and a symbol of China. Climbing the Wall allows you to witness breathtaking scenery and feel the grandeur of this architectural marvel.
Tiananmen Square (Thien An Mon): At Tiananmen Square, you can visit Mao Zedong’s Mausoleum, the National Museum of China, and many other architectural landmarks.

See more: TOP most beautiful and famous tourist attractions in China.

4.2 What to Do in Shanghai?

The Bund: Featuring a blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles, The Bund is an iconic symbol of the city. It is an ideal place to watch the sunset and take stunning photos.
Yu Garden: Yu Garden is an ancient garden with exquisite architecture, featuring bridges and ponds. Here, you can immerse yourself in a peaceful atmosphere, enjoy traditional tea ceremonies, and explore stalls selling traditional Chinese handicrafts.
Oriental Pearl TV Tower: Located on the bank of the Huangpu River in Lujiazui, Pudong District, opposite The Bund, this famous TV tower bears witness to Shanghai’s rapid development. From the top of the tower, you can take in a panoramic view of the entire city.
Nanjing Road: This is one of the busiest shopping streets in Shanghai. Here, you can find everything from high-end fashion brands to souvenir shops.

The charm of these top-tier Chinese cities promises to bring you the most rewarding journey this season.

5. Travel Tips for Beijing - Shanghai

5.1 How Many Days Should You Spend in Beijing - Shanghai?

There is no need to compare whether Shanghai or Beijing is better to visit, as both cities represent different aspects of China. Combining both in one trip will offer travelers an unforgettable experience:

Short Trip: If you're short on time, 7 days is enough to get an overview of both cities. You can spend 4 days in Beijing and 3 days in Shanghai.
Long Trip: If you want to explore more deeply into the culture and history of both cities, 10 days would be a perfect choice. You can spend more time visiting museums, exploring old neighborhoods, and enjoying local cuisine.

With a well-planned itinerary and thorough preparation, you can absolutely enjoy a meaningful short trip to Beijing and Shanghai.

5.2 Travel Costs in Beijing - Shanghai

Self-guided travel costs in Beijing - Shanghai can vary depending on factors such as travel time, type of accommodation, transportation, and your personal preferences. However, you can refer to the average expenses for a 7-day trip to Beijing and Shanghai as listed below:

Round-trip flight tickets: 5,000,000 - 15,000,000 VND
Accommodation: 1,000,000 - 3,000,000 VND/person
Meals: 1,500,000 - 3,000,000 VND
Local transportation: 500,000 - 1,000,000 VND
Attraction entrance fees: 500,000 - 1,000,000 VND
Shopping: 500,000 - 2,000,000 VND
Total: 10,000,000 - 25,000,000 VND

See more: How much does it cost to travel to China?

To make your Beijing - Shanghai trip more fulfilling and budget-friendly, you can take part in special promotions offered by Vietjet for Vietnamese travelers. Specifically, don’t forget to check the 0 VND domestic and international ticket promotions available daily during the 12:00–14:00 time frame to enjoy the best fares.