Shanghai vs. Shenzhen: Yeah, the Difference is Actually THAT Big.
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I've just returned from a leisurely trip to Shenzhen, where I took care of some business. Without question, my impressions of Shenzhen and our hometown of Shanghai differ in many significant ways. Here are a few distinct aspects that left an unforgettable impression:
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Shenzhen's Nightlife is Unmistakably Electrifying!
- It was incredibly busy on the streets even at midnight 12AM, with roadside stalls -- referred to as "Daipai dang" (a name for outdoor dining areas full of lively atmosphere) – thriving non-stop.
- In Shanghai, such scenes are not so commonplace, with the streets nearly empty after 10 PM at night. For those who want to experience a bustling night market, Shenzhen never disappoints!
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Caution: Shenzhen's Electric Vehicle “Army”
- Oh my, there are too many electric bicycles (commonly known as small electric mopeds or scooters) on the streets of Shenzhen!
- Reminder: Be Extra Careful While Traveling: Many riders tend to venture onto the car lanes, giving off quite a thrilling and dangerous sight.
- So, why is this the case? I observed that the primary reasons include inadequate road planning, with many areas either failing to provide designated lanes for electric bikes or forcing them to coexist with pedestrians in narrow corridors.
- Compared to this situation, Shanghai indeed handles it much more safely. At least people, vehicles, and electric buses travel separately on their respective lanes, making it far safer to cross streets or walk along them in Shenzhen, a constant reminder remains essential.
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Shenzhen's “Competitiveness,” it's Intense!
- Honestly, the residents of Shenzhen seem to be caught up in an intense competitive fervor.
- Not only do they compete in terms of how long they can work until late at night (with many still working until around 10 PM), but the prices have also dropped to rock-bottom points of bargaining.
- By comparison, the pace of work in Shanghai feels slightly more laid-back.
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Shanghai was known as 'the city that never sleeps' for a long time, with incredibly bustling night markets. Changli and Pengpu night markets were particularly famous about 20 years ago. Eventually, they were all shut down.
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Even all the flower markets were cleared out. Popular food streets got redeveloped one after another, and even the last remaining old town, Zhaojialou, was overhauled. Nothing's left.
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Ugh, so annoying! Shenzhen's trying to compete with Shanghai again. Aren't they already 'number one in the universe' or something?
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Shenzhen isn't even trying to compare itself to Shanghai. Their industrial structures are completely different; Shenzhen always benchmarks itself against international cities.
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Shanghai is China's showcase to the world. So, things like street food stalls are considered an eyesore, electric scooters a traffic nuisance, and overtime often disregards labor laws.
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And things like drivers yielding to pedestrians, using turn signals, and not recklessly cutting into lanes – it's basically on par with international standards.
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Shanghai doesn't really have a 'lunch siesta' culture, so of course, people rush home to rest as soon as work ends. Just try telling other cities to skip their midday break!
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Who says there's no midday break? My company gives us a solid two hours for lunch.
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Hahaha! You call that nightlife in Shenzhen? 10 PM is just their normal quitting time! You should compare Shenzhen at 10 PM with Shanghai at 5 or 6 PM. Then, go check out the bars in Shanghai around 10 PM to see what real nightlife is.
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The bars are nice, a great place for... 'liaisons.' I'm so envious of the 'City of Secret Hookups'!
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I really can't stand the snarky, passive-aggressive replies from some of the Shanghai folks in this thread.
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Don't be so easily offended; it's mostly because Shanghainese people are under a lot of pressure.
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The cities have different cultural foundations and historical depth, and their demographic compositions are also distinct.
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Shenzhen doesn't go out of its way to pander to foreigners.
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People in Shenzhen live for one thing: making money!
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That's great.
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It's because Shanghai has a seriously aging population and high costs associated with attracting new residents, while Shenzhen is essentially a city of migrants for pretty much everyone.
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Exactly. The whole 'Once you're here, you're a Shenzhener' ethos boils down to the fact that there aren't many 'true' locals; almost everyone is a migrant.
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Alright, stop the comparisons! Shanghai concedes defeat; there's no contest. We're just a humble '28th-tier small county town' here. We'd be eternally grateful if all 20 million-plus 'outsiders' currently here would kindly relocate to Shenzhen. Thank you ever so much!