City Comparison
Compare two incredible cities side by side — culture, food, local tips, and immersive 4K virtual walks.
Country
🇨🇳 Shaoxing
China
🇹🇷 Istanbul
Turkey
Continent
🇨🇳 Shaoxing
Asia
🇹🇷 Istanbul
Europe
Best Season
🇨🇳 Shaoxing
April–May (osmanthus blossoms) or October–November (rice wine fermentation season fills the streets with fragrance)
🇹🇷 Istanbul
Spring (April–May) or Autumn (September–October)
Currency
🇨🇳 Shaoxing
Chinese Yuan / Renminbi (CNY ¥)
🇹🇷 Istanbul
Turkish Lira (₺)
Greeting
🇨🇳 Shaoxing
你好 (Nǐ hǎo); Shaoxing locals speak Wu dialect (吴语) which is very different from Mandarin
🇹🇷 Istanbul
Merhaba
The blue-awning wupeng boats (乌篷船) — shallow gondola-like vessels rowed with the feet — are Shaoxing's most iconic image and can be rented for canal tours. The boats are extraordinarily low (passengers recline) and were historically used for all transport in the canal network. Lu Xun's childhood home and former residence in the old town is beautifully preserved and gives an intimate picture of late-Qing scholarly life.
Bargaining is expected in the Grand Bazaar. Always accept the tea offered by shopkeepers.
🇨🇳 Shaoxing Fun Fact
Shaoxing is called a 'museum without walls' because virtually every street and canal dates to the Tang or Song dynasty. The city is the birthplace of Lu Xun (1881–1936) — considered the father of modern Chinese literature — and Wang Xizhi, China's most celebrated calligrapher (303–361 AD). Shaoxing rice wine has been produced for over 2,500 years and is traditionally given to families when a girl is born; the jar is buried and opened at her wedding.
🇹🇷 Istanbul Fun Fact
Istanbul is the only city in the world that straddles two continents — Europe and Asia.
Try the live side-by-side comparison in the app
Open in Nearaway.inMore Comparisons