PTravel

Neither Mandarin nor local connections are necessary to get around Shanghai.

I'm not sure that any city conveys the flavor of China as a whole. However, Shanghai is a heck of lot more Chinese than Hong Kong.

jiejie

Actually, in many ways, Hong Kong is a lot more Chinese than Shanghai. Much of the uniquely Chinese old practices and folk customs still actively live on in HK, if you know where to look, though they are of course, Southern Chinese. Whereas 60 years' worth of the PRC government actively trying to stamp out same on the mainland in all locations, has taken its toll. But a digression, both places are worth visiting at some time in one's life, it's just a matter of managing the logistics.

I would stick to my original advice to the OP and say go with Hong Kong right now. But I think extending to 6-7 days might be too much. Three days would have been an excellent introduction period, as HK is very easy to get around efficiently. With 4 or 5 days, doing a long daytrip (or overnight) over to Macau begins to make sense--you can easily travel between Macau and HKG by ferry or hydrofoil. Macau isn't all about casinos, and still has quite a bit of interesting old Sino-Portuguese streets and places to wander, and some decent eats. As with HK, no visa needed for US nationals, just your passport.

PTravel

Well, it depends on how you define, "Chinese." To exclude modern China from the definition does the country a disservice, I think. Shanghai offers a mix of modern China, with bits of old China around, particularly if you take a day trip to Suzhou or Tongli.

Macau was nice when I went there 10 years ago, but not particularly impressive. Frankly, with 7 days, I'd try to work in Beijing.

anacapamalibu

If you already spent the time and money to get to Hong Kong and you have 7 days.Then you can book a tour of mainland China around the Pearl River Delta without having to spend 140USD for a China visa.
Its close, cheap and has some good sites.

Personally I would skip Macau, unless you are into asian gaming like sic bo or fan tan.

jiejie

If the OP has 7 days and is willing to pay and get the Chinese visa, he could consider dumping Shanghai entirely and going to Beijing instead, maybe with a short 2 day taster of Hong Kong then the rest in Beijing. Beijing is a much more Chinese city than Shanghai is and has much, much more interesting things to see. That would be the best plan yet.

With 7 days and a Chinese visa, NO WAY would I advise anybody to waste time in the Pearl River Delta area as a tourist. Even if it is conveniently accessed from Hong Kong.

The OP needs to rule in or rule out getting the Chinese visa now, as that will be the determinant of narrower vs broader options. If he plans on visiting China again during the next year, then getting the 12 month multiple entry visa now is probably a good investment.

mnredfox

1. I'd be careful about your first comment. In general I agree but it needs to be stated with caution. If you don't know mandarin, then yes you can get by but you need to be prepared. That means knowing your hotels name (or having it written down in Chinese) and then having the hotel help you with the cabs and make sure you bring a hotel card with you. I'd say about 95%+ of the cabs in Shanghai don't speak English, so if you don't have a card and don't speak Mandarin, don't expect a cab driver to speak English.

Subway is easy without Chinese, enough English in the stations to figure it out. Buses are another matter.

Buying food is mostly ok, if you don't go to local restaurants (which IMO are some of the best places to eat). In those places, not only talking is a must but likely there will be no English menu.

2. Depends on how you define Chinese. Shanghai is super cosmo, so I wouldn't let it represent China. But it is just a part of it, and there are many other parts.

Having gone to Macau and spent two days there, I would agree. Cool to see, but not over HKG or PVG for the first time.

anacapamalibu

Depends on one's budget. You can tour these cities Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Zhaoqing, Huzhou Municipalities through a HK travel agent without having to pay 140USD for a visa.

Plus you save the airfare HKG-PEK R/T. Plus the 3 hr each way flight time.

Granted it would be more exciting to go to Beijing but figure adding >400USD
extra cost for those 3-4 days/ per person.

There are actually some very beautiful sites in Guangdong province, its not
just polluted cities and factories.

jkoenig51

This all has been very helpful, thank you all. I got my tickets today I will have 6 days in HKG. I guess all first time visitors do an overnight in Macau , so I will also. Then have four days for Hong Kong. If I need a visa I'll get it. If I really love it their I can go back within twelve months, and visit another city.(Beijing or Shanghai)
Thanks again

Bruce443

I've spent a lot of time on business and sightseeing in both these cities. Here are my thoughts:

1) As everyone else has pointed out PRC (People's Republic of China) visas are expensive. When last I went (April 10), I had business visa for multiple entries, but my wife and kids could only get 2 entries. It's fairly easy to get a tourist Visa, but a business visa requires an invitation from a sponsor. Either way, don't wait till the last minute. I once got one in Singapore 48 hours before traveling; in Los Angeles, you need a week. (And they want to see your tickets, in and out.) Bottom line: If you're not on a tight budget, go for the visa.

2) HK vs SH: My preference is Hong Kong. Shanghai is huge (worlds' biggest city?) great views from the Bund, great upscale international food. But not all that much to "see", in the sense of museums, art, etc. You can do SH in two or three days. Hong Kong, on the other hand, in my view, is stunning. Amazing setting, shopping, things to see. Again, however, not much "cultural" stuff in the way of museums, historic sites, etc. (For this, you really need to go to Beijing, Lhasa, or Xi'an.) SH and HK are both amazing international cities. But my preference is HK. (Incidentally, if you want a great tailor in HK try Maxwell's in Kowloon. I have no affiliation with them, other than being a long-time customer.)

3) Having said this, I don't know if you want to spend a week in HK. Four days, yes. Five, maybe. But the main attractions in both these cities are shopping, commerce and food. Maybe I'm jaded. But where I could easily spend a week going to the museums, historical sites and cultural events in New York, DC, Paris or London, I've never found this to be the case anywhere in Asia, save perhaps Angkor Wat in Cambodia. (When I've brought friends to visit in Beijing, I can show them everything in two days minimum, four optimum.) Bottom line here: You might get run out of things to do in Hong Kong in 7 days.

If you really had the time, I'd fly to BJ for four days, then onto HK. Especially since the SH World's Fair is now over. Don't get me wrong: Shanghai is great fun. But if you're going to go to China - and pay for a Visa - I'd put the Great Wall and the Forbidden City on the "must see" list before Shanghai.

Finally, on a more personal note, I love Hong Kong. It's probably my favorite city in the world. A combination of New York (my home) and London (another city I've lived in), on speed. If this appeals to you, don't miss it.

PTravel

Multiple-entry year-long tourist visas are available for $130, the same amount charged for single and double entry visas. The Chinese consulate in LA will expedite processing the visa for a small fee. For years, I could get it done over-night. Recently, I've gotten it done the same day -- you just have to get there early.

In both Shanghai and Hong Kong, the cultural stuff is there -- just not in the same quantity as other cities and you have to look for it. The aesthetic of the two cities is very different. Shanghai has more in common with other Chinese cities than it does with Hong Kong. That doesn't make it better or worse than Hong Kong, just more "Chinese." With respect to shopping, Hong Kong prices tend to be high compared with the U.S. Because China has an import tariff on western brands, in Shanghai you'll find domestically-produced goods but few western designer stores.

I agree with this. Beijing is one of my favorite cities in the world. To me, it is the Chinese New York -- the kind of attractions are comparable. I also think that to visit China and just focus on the standard tourist attractions is a big mistake.

anacapamalibu

Price is now $140

I think you have to get to the window before 10 am to get same day.
Same day additional fee should be $30.

anacapamalibu

Shanghai has as many high end western designer stores as most
big cities in the US.

Louis Vuitton
Gucci
Hermes
Prada
Coach (planned April 2011)
Fendi
Dior
Balenciaga

to name a few

Letitride3c

Mainlanders (Chinese) go to places like Hong Kong to shop until they drop or until both their hands are full of bags of trophies. Got only a few hours to watch, stop by the CityGate Outlet Mall 15 minutes from HKIA, many arrived by the busload & head straight to stores like Coach & Bally's. Reason being that prices are cheaper in HK as it's duty-free and no fakes from these retailers setting up shops there. (No taxes or VAT, etc.)

In contrast, we found fake Coach goods, among other items - openly displayed & sold in stores at major tourist attractions & (historic landmark) stops in Hongzhou & Suzhou during our escorted tours to SH.

anacapamalibu

I don't doubt that.

I think premium outlets are a bigger attraction to Chinese tourists then Disneyland.

PTravel

According to my wife, there are not as many as in Hong Kong, whereas domestic designer stores are everywhere.