Comparing Travel Experiences in Nanjing and Shanghai

[Garrett VonRueden PhD]

The roads in Nanjing are quite bumpy, making it a bit of an adventure when riding a bike. In comparison, some streets in Shanghai (like Yuyuan Road) may also be rough, but they're generally in better condition. Be cautious while cycling, as uneven manholes and missing bike lanes can make the ride challenging.
Drivers in Nanjing often don't yield to pedestrians, especially when turning right. This is much less of an issue in Shanghai.\n3. Attractions in Nanjing are more scattered, which can be confusing for first-time visitors. It's recommended to familiarize yourself with the layout of places like Zhongshan Scenic Area before visiting.\n4. Historical sites in Nanjing are well worth the ticket price, thanks to their rich history. In contrast, many of Shanghai's attractions are centered around the former concessions, with local spots like Yu Garden being somewhat disappointing.\n5. Public behavior in Nanjing can sometimes be lacking, such as climbing on historical relics or playing loud music. While this happens in Shanghai too, it's generally less common and more likely to be discouraged by others.\n6. People in Nanjing tend to be friendlier and more approachable, whether it's staff at tourist sites, street vendors, or hotel workers. Shanghai residents, on the other hand, can come across as a bit more aloof.\n7. I was surprised to see people damaging flowers, particularly sunflowers, in Xuanwu Lake Park. This is not as common in Shanghai.\n8. Some of Nanjing's popular snacks, like the egg hamburger, are overpriced and not very special. Other sweets are overly sugary, though the duck blood vermicelli is decent. Shanghai doesn't have many distinctive local snacks.\n9. There's a higher rate of cyclists going against traffic in Nanjing compared to Shanghai.\n10. Ji Ming Temple in Nanjing has a tea shop inside, selling expensive drinks. This contrasts with Jing'an Temple in Shanghai, where shops are located outside the temple grounds.\n11. Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing is far superior to any water-based attraction in Shanghai. The same goes for Xuanwu Lake Park, which outshines Century Park in Shanghai.\n12. Fuzimiao Pedestrian Street in Nanjing is a much better experience than Nanjing Road in Shanghai, which is another underwhelming tourist spot.\n13. Management at some of Nanjing's attractions is rather lax, with security personnel rarely seen. I witnessed several drones flying close to Jiming Temple, which would be hard to imagine in Shanghai.\n14. Shopping malls in Nanjing still seem vibrant, with stores like Gome and Suning still operating. These chains have largely disappeared from Shanghai.\n15. On average, people in Nanjing appear to be taller than those in Shanghai.\n16. Traffic lights in Nanjing can be confusing, leading one to wonder if they were installed incorrectly. Pay extra attention to traffic signals and cross carefully.\n17. Avoid Ke Xiang Food Street, and steer clear of the overpriced cakes there. A small piece can cost up to 20 RMB.\n18. Nanjing is known for its beautiful women, although many might not be locals. In Shanghai, you'll find stylishly dressed women, but Nanjing has a high number of naturally attractive people.

[Hugo Witting]

I've heard that drivers in Nanjing don't yield to pedestrians, but I found it was actually the electric scooters that were more of a problem. They drive fast and honk continuously, which is really annoying.

[Kelley Balistreri]

Neither seems to give way, in my experience.