<p>Hi,
I've been asking all of my friends who've been to China and I haven't gotten any definite responses. I'm majoring in Political Science, and I'm planning to spend Fall 2008 in Yunnan Province, and Spring 2009 in either Beijing or Shanghai.</p>
<p>I've heard that Beijing is better for culture but is a lot more crowded/dirty, and Shanghai has more things to do but is more Westernized. Are there any other obvious differences, especially in terms of academics? Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>I just got back from a two week trip to China. I don't know anything about the universities, but I can tell you that Shanghai is definitely friendlier to westerners and more western in its architecture and general feel (it's still China though).</p>
<p>Both were hot and smoggy, but Beijing was worse. Food was excellent in both cities. Things were just generally more "uptight" in Beijing.</p>
<p>go to Beijing. I don't really have a reason though, other than their accent sounds better than shanghai chinese, and i have friends in beijing.</p>
<p>A few years ago, I would have said go to Beijing hands down. But now, with all their preparations for the Olympics, I'm saying go to Shanghai. Both of them are quite westernized now, although Shanghai is more westernized than Beijing. The Yunnan will be amazing, I guarentee it. lol</p>
<p>I don't know about academics in either city, sorry. I do have some advice for you though, basically its just what I learned after living in China for 6 weeks last summer:</p>
<ol>
<li>Crossing the street is like playing frogger.<br></li>
<li>While crossing the street, don't make eye contact with the drivers of cars. They view it as a challenge.<br></li>
<li>You're more likely to get hit by a bicycle. I got hit by a bicycle in Chengdu. It hurt. lol</li>
<li>If you see a lot of bicyclists riding towards you while crossing the street, stop and stand still. They'll ride around you. Move and try and avoid them, and they'll hit you.</li>
</ol>
<p>I'd say Beijing. Beijing is not only the political center of China, it is also one of its greatest cultural and financial centers. I'm just finishing up a two month stay in Beijing and though I'm not a big city person at all (dislike NY and LA), I love Beijing. Two months and I also feel like I haven't seen even a quarter of what Beijing has to offer. </p>
<p>Really, the culture here in Beijing astounds me. There's a very interesting dynamic between the traditional and the modern that plays out in Beijing's clothing, language, architecture, even food. Shanghai is MUCH more modernized and westernized. </p>
<p>Beijing, of course, is also home to the best universities China has to offer, namely Beijing University and Beijing Normal University. People from all over China, and all over the world, will come to Beijing to learn. </p>
<p>Most people like Shanghai, too, so either choice is fine. For learning about China, though, I still recommend Beijing.</p>
<p>Shanghai. Although both cities are boring..</p>
<p>^ Its only boring if you make it boring.</p>
<p>I wouldn't go to Beijing right now, it's pretty crowded and prices have been climbing, though Shanghai can be pricey if you let it be.
Shanghai doesn't have as many historical sites but it's still a great place. I would try to go to Beijing/Shanghai during the wintertime if I were you. They're super humid and hot all other times.</p>
<p>
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Are there any other obvious differences, especially in terms of academics?
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</p>
<p>it really depends on the university that you go to and what you want to get out of your experience. so perhaps elaborate on that </p>
<p>btw i'm a political science major and i thought fudan university in shanghai was a good choice, but i wouldn't know if peking university is better since i didn't study there.</p>
<p>comparatively beijing is ancient, shanghai is western</p>
<p>My D had a choice between Beijing and Shanghai this Fall, and chose Shanghai. She absolutely loves it. She has visited both cities previously (2003) and also made a 4-day trip to Beijing last week from Shanghai. She and her group of travellers found Beijing to be more congested and dirty, and they are all really happy they chose Shanghai.</p>
<p>That said, things will be a lot better in Beijing once the Olympics are over. As far as culture goes, one can easily spend a week in the 'other' city for a visit. Round trip train fares are not expensive, and it involves a 12-hour night train trip.</p>
<p>Are you considering Study Abroad programs run by U.S. universities or entities? Or are you planning on enrolling directly in a Chinese University on your own?</p>