Beijing vs Shanghai | Which is the best city in China?

In this podcast-style video, we are joined by our good friend Amy from ‪@BlondieinChina‬ to talk about the differences between the cities of Beijing and Shanghai and which one we think is better. Are you team Beijing or Shanghai? Leave us a comment letting us know and your reasons why!
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[@csong4809]

when i was in beijing i felt like wow it's a city with such a long history, when I visited xi'an and luoyang I noticed that beijing is such a young baby

[@Nicofilms]

🤣

[@thehighsandluos]

haha! Yes! I felt the same way!

[@hanzhang3589]

蓟城（北京）和镐京（西安）几乎是同时建的

[@sll6773]

Xi'an was the capital of the Zhou Dynasty more than 3000 years ago. At that time, it was called Haojing. In the Han and Tang Dynasties, especially about 1400 years ago in the Tang Dynasty, Xi'an ushered in the most prosperous, open and developed golden age. At that time, it was called Chang An. The Imperial City of Beijing was built more than 700 years ago in the Yuan Dynasty, so the buildings of the Tang Dynasty will be much older than Beijing

[@sll6773]

@@hanzhang3589 是的 但紫禁城的建造是在元明清时期 曾今战国时代燕国首都在今北京

[@petercua6158]

Never been to both cities. Have to visit them myself to experience which is the best.

[@Nicofilms]

I think that is the best way!

[@boonteoh2346]

Unfair to compare both cities. It all depend on personal taste and experience, ambience, cultural, blending of traditional old/new buildings. China is a vast country and each and every cities has its own charms, historical significance, that makes China ever so alluring. Thanks guys and keep up the good vlog.👍👍👏👏

[@MaartenVink]

Exactly what I was thinking, I like both but Shanghai is my favorite because it has a more modern and high paced vibe to it. Feels like the city of the future.

[@markchan8110]

Don't have to take it seriously. Is just for fun.

[@TV-mn1zd]

👍

[@weifan9533]

For working I would prefer Beijing and Shanghai cause there're much more opportunities in these two cities than in 2nd or 3rd tier Chinese cities, and the salary is generally much higher. But for living I prefer neither. Both are extremely crowded and heavily polluted, and the pace of life is very fast with no time to rest. And I'm not really impressed by the history of Beijing either; I mean, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, they indeed look magnificent, but it took a lot of resources, time, and manpower to be built, and this reminds me the plight of the workers who constructed those monuments. If it wasn't for work, I would prefer to live in a 2nd or 3rd tier city somewhere in Southern or Southwestern China, the scenery there is much better, the culture is no less rich than that of Beijing, and the pace of life is much slower.

[@nileshbhattacharya2526]

Once you visit China, you will see the whole world like a vintage place ❤️🇨🇳 from India 🙏 Thank you Nico sis for this lovely video ❤️ ...

[@user-tj6ot7tw8g]

Ranked at 101 of World Hunger Index , India is behind neighbours like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. We Chinese at 8th.

[@ecrush5080]

@@user-tj6ot7tw8g Bro... that Indian guy/gal is complimenting China... why u have to bring hate here?. Sorry, but i have to ask are u really Chinese ?

[@paladinzzy]

@@user-tj6ot7tw8gTrue chinese won't say this

[@user-tj6ot7tw8g]

@@paladinzzy right. True Chinese know how to make a 鸡蛋羹

[@suboodraj6610]

@@user-tj6ot7tw8g He's no doubt American. And probably CIA paid agent 😆

[@crazyjohnhoward]

Thanks for a great video comparing the two cities. I learnt a lot.

[@rinzfish1358]

Got to know your channel via Blondie in China - been watching lots of your past videos. Just wanna say GREAT CONTENTS! Love how real and honest you two are!

[@Nicofilms]

Thank you very much!

[@spener280]

Loved this so much! I just moved to Shanghai after three years in Beijing, it’s hard to not miss Beijing but also really nice to hear your opinions on the two :)

[@farhanmarwatify]

it's very true that if you lived in your first in china, you will always love it like I was living in Shanghai for 4 years. After that, I lived in Sichuan and now in Shenzhen but to be honest i couldn't get the vibes of shanghai in any other city of china. Shanghai is kinda home for foreigners. shanghai will always give you home feelings with a huge foreign community. Miss you shanghai

[@jinskyjoyous]

Go black to your home! I mean Shanghai...

[@wannabetherealme]

Next video: Shenzhen VS Guangzhou

[@digeng6120]

Shanghai is more international and Beijing is more cultural.

[@Alice-no6ys]

Thanks for sharing.❤

[@-Zevin-]

The comment that "When I was here in 2014, the pollution was allot worse and it has got better and better" Is really remarkable. I can't think of any other place in the world today that saw that level of change that rapidly and significantly. The only change I have seen in my home city in the United States is, it's more dirty and run down now as compared to 2014, with more homeless people, and almost no new buildings or development.

[@JonasMatthewBahta]

Not mentioned here, but I’ve been to both of the cities a year prior to the pandemic, and it was not unusual to see folks there wearing masks due to the bad air pollution.

[@DeBeard]

Interesting vlog n topic, great job

[@williamedwardhackman4695]

They both look like great cities.

[@TV-mn1zd]

yes!

[@williamedwardhackman4695]

@@TV-mn1zd Thank you.

[@YK-xd3mj]

Love the video. Always fun to watch haha . 👍🏼

[@Pierina.24]

I say Shenzhen because it's no fun agreeing with Amy or Nico, so there I said it. :P

[@Nicofilms]

🤣

[@Pierina.24]

@@Nicofilms Alright, I retract my comment and go with Beijing for now. So Nico wins round one over Amy. 😁

[@hz.x1711]

@@user-ki6zb7wv5n Actually it's not. According to the seventh national census, Shenzhen is the 5th populated city of China, and I don't think it is really relevant to the conversation here.

[@charliechang7186]

I ve lived in SZ since 2011, trying to get out of it, Everything Beijing n Shanghai have, SZ try to copy with 70% efforts and 50% result. Simply, SZ is a mega concrete jungle growing bigger by days.

[@eduardochavacano]

charlie chang I really loved that laid back feeling of that Hostel in OCT, called the Loft. That Area is sooo relaxing. Is that gone now? I loved that area hostel and the Grocery next to it. I really love scent of that grocery and the ambiance of that part of OCT. Then a few more visits to Shenzhen, I realized why some people dont love it there. Still, for as long as such an area exist, Shenzhen is great.

[@kevinchen7903]

It's so fun watching them

[@yingxu7908]

day after day Nico and Jack melt together perfectly

[@Nicofilms]

Aww thanks! We’ve been together a long time.

[@user-ml8dl4rh1e]

As Chinese It's so lucky that I've been to both Beijing and Shanghai. Personally Beijing is richer in history while Shanghai emphasizes more on modernity.

[@lesleygao9921]

I'm from Beijing and I used to live in Shanghai for 3 years, I love both cities for different reasons it's really hard to choose! What an interesting episode! Thank you❤

[@Nicofilms]

I’m pleased you enjoyed it!

[@amos325]

haha I suggested this topic; thanks for adopting it

[@chanelEnriqueLop0408]

hahaha thank you so much guys, I really enjoyed your video, what a hard questions to be honest!

[@Nicofilms]

Yeah it’s super hard they are both great!

[@newtonojok9720]

Very true, i also got attached to my first city than the rest of the cities i have lived later on.

[@sabinthopra6257]

As a tourist I think Beijing would be perfect place to start living for first time

[@josephlownang6992]

good video mate

[@TheDynastyWarrior13]

I prefer Beijing, but still love Shanghai. I just feel like Beijing has so much more to do, it has so much more historical stuff to do with museums and temples. I think the nightlife is actually every bit as good as Shanghai too. I think the weather is better, because I also hate the humidity of Shanghai. I also think Beijing is better for learning Chinese. I will admit Shanghai xiao long bao is better than Beijing duck and Shanghai is closer to more cool cities. But overall I like the more Chinese feel of Beijing and feel like it has a much better blend of modern and ancient, whereas Shanghai is mostly just modern.

[@CEOpaschal]

I'd love to see a comparison between Guangzhou and Shenzhen

[@heidiw3615]

Guangzhou all the way, Shenzhen is just a soulless working city

[@kk-cy3sz]

@@heidiw3615 Exactly

[@FreshWaterBrook.]

I've been in both. In Beijing even lived for months, Shanghai lil' less but since I'm born in South I can get it's core spirit well even with short time stay. How to say, by the ancient-historical side Beijing is for sure very interesting, as we say "thick and heavy" 厚重，which is a compliment. Shanghai appears to my tastes more livable, for the variety of foods, for how friendly people are. And in terms of recent history it's for sure nothing less. But if I have to choose, I wouldn't live in either city.

[@hallee9975]

Dueling blondies! Love it! lol

[@akaitombo]

Good job !

[@soul832006]

Love the video! How do you both feel about vlogging in large crowds? Does it feel awkward with so many people looking at you?

[@Nicofilms]

Thanks! Yeah personally I don’t really like it when there is lots of people but usually people are just curious and interested. A lot of people in China livestream and make videos too so usually it’s not that bad.

[@mudpeeyk6587]

Isn't that my favorite Amy here !!!

[@sjfbrkdnjrkdkajdjoajfok-2]

As Chinese from western China, I love Shanghai more regarding weather, urban design, living environment and foods, but I love Beijinger more, because they generally have pretty sunny personalities, easygoing, friendly and talkative. Shanghainese is a bit self-important ( no offence )

[@VashtheStampede007]

That’s funny. The older generation from both cities are the same. They do not like people from outside their cities. The younger generations are not like them.

[@jayd8158]

I want to know the difference between SHENZHEN and GUANGZHOU. It would be an interesting video since these cities are both in GUANGDONG province and they are very close.

[@brexitgreens]

Robust heating sounds like something I would definitely enjoy right now. So… Beijing. But I hate hot summers more than cold winters.

[@Nicofilms]

Same!

[@hangzeng1491]

The traditional show "The endless quarel between Beijing and Shanghai people". But talking about the cuisines, neither of the two cities would be comparable to Guangzhou or Chengdu, which are generally considered to be on the top of the chain of contempt.

[@Nicofilms]

Hahaha yeah there is always a debate! Ahhh we still need to go!

[@gderek8858]

Shenzhen needs to speak

[@shrimpsea-pc2rr]

深吹真尴尬

[@WINDYCHUNG]

how dare you? Guangzhou is even quiet.

[@lazybones5390]

this is a fun podcast, I prefer shanghai.. just warmer..

[@princejavv3314]

Same

[@Nicofilms]

Not in your house in winter though 🤣

[@edenxier641]

@@Nicofilms no need to have a heater for most people in SH

[@Arag0n]

@@Nicofilms you can have central heating or climitazed houses.

[@zoewang7169]

I just realised the 2 blondies are two different people, great job girls

[@PeterLiuIsBeast]

The US embassy used to be near Guomao. But most of the embassies and such have moved away. Wangjing has become sort of a 2nd Korean place after Wudaokou.

[@weizhang2834]

Korean town in wangjing area of Beijing

[@Way827]

All of China is brilliant!!! :) Shanghai is great for living in a maybe more international cosmopolitan atmosphere. Beijing is more traditional northern Chinese style " Err "and with some Mongolian influence too.

[@phangliuca2362]

I love ❤️ it bro

[@oscartur3747]

For studying chinese... Beijing much better...for living I prefer Shanghai... but I will choose living in some interesting city not far from Sahnghai (as Suzhou, Ningbo, Hangzhou or Nanjing) and then enhoy Shanghai in weekend... and remember Beijing was created by "northern" tribes, not really very deep old chinese culture roots

[@lucasl3784]

Me2. I have been fined for cycling as well since it is a fast road for cars and no cycling road, so it is acceptable for being fined hahaha. But we indeed can see one difference between these two cities. For shanghai, rules of everything are more important, but in Beijing, it is more like the customs rather than rules.

[@KajaKubicka]

The answer is OBVIOUS! ;) and I love Nico the Safety Queen! haha

[@Nicofilms]

Hahaha well I know your answer!

[@yvonnet6207]

As a north Chinese, Shanghai's biggest disadvantage is lacking of central hitting system in the winter...

[@zeth479]

Heating haha

[@kaiyang2649]

Both are my favorite Cities in China.But when it comes to choosing a city to live in, I would choose Shanghai. sorry Nico.😜 Because the streets in Beijing are too wide, it is very inconvenient for pedestrians.And northerners are more rugged, while southerners are more low-key.

[@Alien_X]

Hey Nico its Monday and no video from you, hope u & Jack are fine and safe. Will wait for coming Monday now

[@Nicofilms]

Thanks for checking, there will be one next week! I left a message in the community tab yesterday. We are currently working on a huge freelance project and we’ve both been full of cold so needed to take a week off.

[@choualberto885]

I would say Shanghai is just as walkable as New York City, but don't do it in the summer...the humidity is simply overwhelming.

[@Lobstersaladyum]

Hahahaha 😂 Love this. You guys were like old pals just having a casual chat & laugh. Makes a refreshing change to all the political seriousness everywhere else.

[@Nicofilms]

Thanks a lot! Yeah we are really good friends so it was quite fun.

[@sangphan5149]

Hi Nico !

[@alextjflorida]

They are both great. But Beijing is richer in history. I love cities like Xian, Nanjing, and Beijing. They are all deeply influenced by history.

[@meixingmichael2480]

we all acknowledge people respect culture

[@bobdoe38]

Beijing is richer in history? Really? Maybe Manchu history, but not Han Chinese history. Historically, Northern China is where Han Chinese send prisoners and exiles to.

[@sichaoxian]

@@bobdoe38 Lol Beijing haters have lost your mind. Northern China has always been the epicentre for Chinese history. Even Beijing was the legitimate state capital during the Warring States period while Southern China was a place to be conquered.

[@elliotalderson4884]

Xi'an is the mother of most historic capitals in China, as it was known in antiquity Chang'an is top notch

[@sanpoloke6126]

@@bobdoe38 你应该去查明紫禁城是谁建造的

[@JonasMatthewBahta]

I had the opportunity with my best friend to visit both Beijing and Shanghai in January 2019. Both cities are extraordinary, I think I preferred Beijing between the two, it’s a little more laid back. Also given that I went there prior to COVID, it was definitely not unusual during my visit to see people wearing masks. I hope you definitely enjoyed your time in both of these fascinating cities! :)

[@spectrewashere]

Never clicked a video so fast 😅

[@eduardochavacano]

I once had to choose which City to visit. Beijing and Shanghai as IDEAS or concept.... Beijing is about Prestige, it’s about going someplace every Chinese would dream to visit for the sake of honor. While Shanghai is for the promise of wealth and prosperity. Shanghai is better as an idea rather than an actual city. Shanghai equals to Coolness, think of Clubbing and Bars. While Beijing is going someplace where you can see the Grandeur of a Communist Realm. I love Shanghai. But I am most proud of my visit to Beijing. It is very hard to choose. But for tourism, Beijing Wins!

[@yeetian2774]

i I like Chengdu better

[@maxli4178]

Can u do a Beijing vs Shenzhen with Amy?

[@LaowaiDaveJCP]

I think next time you do similar videos make sure the cities have comparable features to talk about. for example: Beijing vs Xian ( history & culture) Shanghai vs Shenzhen (modern infrastructure & society) Hangzhou vs Suzhou (lakes & parks) Chengdu vs Chongqing ( central China, hotpot) Guizhou vs Yunnan (diversed nature) Lhasa vs Urumqi (well..... Uniquely diverse weather people culture) Fuzhou vs GuangZhou (south,seafood) GuangZhou vs Beijing (modern history of politics)

[@tc2334]

Beijing Shanghai Suzhou Chongqing Yunnan Urumqi Guangzhou Both, but a little more to Beijing ^_^

[@LaowaiDaveJCP]

@@tc2334 well that's your opinion 😊

[@tc2334]

@@LaowaiDaveJCP Yep. Just thought I'd share. haha

[@Nicofilms]

These are great ideas maybe next time we can get someone from each city to fight the corner and convince people!

[@LaowaiDaveJCP]

@@Nicofilms yup looking forward to that

[@cerfewmusic3675]

Cool fact James Harden from the NBA got fined in shanghai for not wearing a helmet on a lil scooter.

[@Nicofilms]

Oh yes I remember that!

[@yinhoukhor7109]

Great triple collaboration! Shanghai for me since I prefer modernisation.

[@june8960]

Can’t agree more with Shanghai’s winter. -5 degrees there is worse than -40 here in Canada

[@poconosgiant3255]

very informative. I like to visit both cities.

[@AIDINSAPHAI-ISAN]

It's a little bit confusing. Guangdong and Guangzhou

[@focustodayth1616]

For those who know little about China, it is confusing.

[@pauldirac3203]

Have you guys ever been to Hangzhou?. I would love to hear what's your takes

[@Nicofilms]

Yeah it was our first ever video! We haven’t been in a few years now.

[@sll6773]

You can find the essence of the culture and art of the Song Dynasty in Hangzhou. The literature and art of the Song Dynasty is one of the most prosperous times in the whole ancient history of China. Calligraphy, painting, tea ceremony Aesthetics

[@tianlunhe699]

Hi Nico, a bit of the side topic, do you know what's the brand of shirt Jack is wearing? He looks good in that shirt and I want to get one too🤣

[@VickyHui]

SHANGHAI!!!!! And Love your channels Nico! Greetings from a new KZbinr living in Dali, Yunnan...let me know if you come visit 😍

[@yangyangyang6667]

老乡 关注你了

[@Nicofilms]

Aww thanks! Oh I love Yunnan we would love to come back!

[@VickyHui]

@@yangyangyang6667 haha 谢谢！

[@VickyHui]

@@Nicofilms Definitely! Dali is kind of raining these days which is a bit abnormal but still it's lovely!!!

[@zznc3667]

Australia VS British,which is the best Anglo Saxon country?

[@YenKid.]

The “crab” moment was classic!

[@Nicofilms]

Never a dull moment in Beijing!

[@WilliamWGG88]

Hard to do a direct comparison, but IMO I feel Beijing is hands down the better city! Lived here for 2 years now. It's more authentic city than Shanghai, more variety, better laid out (except from the metro thing) and if you're a foreigner here, learning Chinese will just be so much easier than if you were to live in Shanghai. Shanghai is just too comfortable, too easy to get stuck in a little circle of international friends and never get out of your daily routine. Beijing forces you to struggle, it's a beautiful thing.

[@ashtonhashbrown6155]

Lmao "embrace the struggle"

[@a.g.4843]

Were was this video filmed? I think I was there, if it was in Beijing.

[@hanzhang3589]

12:45 what I don't like about Shanghai is that, if you're driving to Suzhou or wherever, it takes about 2 hours just to get out of the city. Beijing's traffic is pretty bad, but not as bad as Shanghai.

[@jerrymilkman519]

Love to see Amy here. Amy mate, we are your Aussie mates !!! Sydney Sydney Sydney Oi Oi Oi !!!

[@rodinp2876]

Lamf just so cute speaking those erhua words

[@andrewzhang985]

If you are after shopping and cosmopolitan atmosphere, choose Shanghai; if you are after history, politics, grand design architectures, or anything that is in grand scale, choose Beijing. No other city in the world can compare with the grand scale of thoroughfare streets of Beijing city. Just have a look at the Changan Avenue, long, wide and straight, and on its two sides stand numerous grand buildings, and then in the center, you have got the world biggest city square - Tiananmen square. No other cities have such feeling of grandness.

[@zhanhangzeng7138]

Are there any other ways to listen to your podcast in China without using vpn, like iPhone Podcasts App or other apps???

[@Nicofilms]

We don’t have a voice only version of it. Is this something you would be interested in?

[@ayu5657]

May be Beijing is like Melbourne (grey, cultural and history); Shanghai more like Sydney (harbour and sunshine)?

[@jovicarrington4561]

it's similar comparing Sydney and Melbourne.

[@user-xs2dn5tq9d]

You made a good film.

[@Mariobrownio1989]

EARLY!!!!

[@HxH2011DRA]

Living in Shanghai & visting Beijing one day is the dream

[@tongchen1226]

I lived in Beijing until I was 14, but I much prefer Shanghai. :D

[@farhanmarwatify]

Shenzhen is way more humid than shanghai. In Shenzhen, you will always feel wet. Yes, shanghai is very humid during July maybe just for 15 or 20 days.

[@10lauset]

Cheers.

[@jiamingxu6425]

hk is also a Chinese city

[@stephenlee7888]

You are wrong,CaoXian is the biggest city in China. Beijing,Shanghai,New York,Tokyo,London,Paris,Los Angeles etc. is nothing compared with Caoxian曹县。

[@Mike-bt3ki]

The people in Shanghai drive better, I did find people there to follow road rules more

[@sayaandyangsaya2756]

Both cities have their own attractive point.

[@princejavv3314]

Love Shanghai from Jamaica 🇨🇳 v 🇯🇲

[@danawen555]

哈哈哈哈哈。。我是个北京人，然而我个人认为，北京和上海都属于工作机会多，现代化（上海比北京更加现代化和商业），然而并不适合舒服的生活（像成都一样）了。。不过还是很开心看到外国朋友喜欢我的家乡城市～好想家，希望你们在中国开心幸福～

[@ljl3373]

We, Shanghainess, hate the weather in Beijing! hahaha

[@Max-cs1dn]

Ahhhh I called it! Amy has a thick Shanghai accent. Once I was watching her video, she almost got me forgot she’s an Aussie coz in my mind I thought she’s a Shanghai chick. :)

[@xingzz6748]

But i lov chongqing,chengdu,xxian,shenzen, kumming,naning,nanjing,xeiomen,shenyang,tianjin....so many

[@cpa314]

how about chengdu?

[@mfkkkkkk4674]

Beijing feels older than Shanghai

[@tuskinekinase]

I grew up in Beijing, so I might be HUGELY biased, Beijing just has that kind of rusticness that Shanghai does not have, even the early-20th century historic sites in Shanghai just look more...elitist. Beijing dialect is also very delighting to hear. And not having excessively humid weather is a big factor too. On the other hand, IMO Shanghai has better food, better shows, better amenities for foreigners...but I couldn't really imagine myself calling Shanghai home.

[@michaelx5039]

虽然上海也不是什么适合生活的城市，但是北京的气候和方言就别吹了，一到秋冬就雾霾，200的空气污染指数谁受得了，再说一句，北京话是真难听。

[@xz1891]

Biggest cities don't necessarily mean best cities

[@akash_vlogs911]

I have a dream to visit China one day. And I'm saving up for it. Wanna see places like Beijing, Zhangjiejie mountains, Shanghai, Shenzhen, HK, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xian, etc. Don't know why air ticket prices to China are so much higher in India. Even till Tokyo you get prices under Rs.40k. But when it comes to Shanghai or Beijing, minimum ticket prices are like Rs.150k. Modi govt please bring down the prices to China so that common ppl can travel there. Anyways, Love from Northeast India. Great comparison between the two cities.💞

[@Nicofilms]

I hope you get here one day! it is very hard to get to China at the moment I hope the prices will drop and it will open up again for tourism!

[@umbrellastudio7481]

because of covid

[@danielzha7826]

I like both

[@simonhsu1764]

why not Shenzhen?

[@davidpeng4726]

Those people who love history would prefer Beijing, those who like modern city life prefer Shanghai. Hard to say which one is better than the other.

[@theinspector7882]

Shanghai seems like a modern Fantasy city for the younger generations, specially at night.