Living · Tools
City comparison
Compare up to four Chinese cities side by side. Useful for narrowing a relocation shortlist or planning a multi-city trip.
Comparing 4 of up to 4 cities.
| Field | 北京 | 上海 | 成都 | 香港 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | North | East | Southwest | SAR |
| Tier | Megacity | Megacity | Major | Megacity |
| Population | 21.9m (2024) | 24.9m (2024) | 21.4m (2024) | 7.4m (2024) |
| Climate | humid continental — hot humid summers, dry cold winters | humid subtropical — hot humid summers, cool damp winters | humid subtropical, often overcast | humid subtropical |
| Best months | Apr, May, Sep, Oct | Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov | Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct | Oct, Nov, Dec, Mar |
| Metro | 27 lines | 20 lines | 13 lines | 11 lines |
| English | Tourist areas | Common | Tourist areas | Common |
| Budget — backpacker | ¥350/day | ¥400/day | ¥280/day | ¥700/day |
| Budget — mid-range | ¥750/day | ¥850/day | ¥600/day | ¥1500/day |
| Budget — comfortable | ¥1800/day | ¥2200/day | ¥1400/day | ¥4000/day |
| Summary | China's capital and political centre — imperial palaces, the Great Wall on its doorstep, hutong neighbourhoods, world-class museums, and the most thoroughly walkable historic core in the country. | China's commercial and financial centre — a riverside megacity that ran on European concession-era trade, then exploded into the skyline that defines modern China. Walkable, cosmopolitan and the easiest first stop for foreigners. | Capital of Sichuan, the heart of Sichuan cooking and the panda capital of China. A relaxed teahouse-and-mahjong city with imperial sights, the Wuhou Shrine and the Giant Panda Breeding Base. | Special Administrative Region on the Pearl River Delta. Separate currency (HKD), separate visa rules, separate plug type (G), separate legal system. Skyline, hiking, dim sum and Peak Tram. |