I will be visiting friends in Tokyo in late January. I am thinking of spending three or four days in Seoul or Shanghai. I have never been to these cities which is why I am considering them, althought I am aware the weather will be less than ideal. I have travelled around Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc where the weather will be better in January on previous trips. I would like to visit a new destination but I am a little worried that the Lunar New Year celebrations may mean that most things in Korea and China will be closed during the last week of January. Which city is better to visit in late January?

I have to admit that neither place would be on my short list (or even long list) of places to visit in January. Both will be very cold. Personally, I would find Shanghai more interesting that Seoul. Unless you stay under the number of hours for a transit visa (72?) you'll pay a hefty fee for a China visa.

I'd prefer Hong Kong, where the weather will be more moderate and there is no visa required.

shanghai is simply fabulous.. just left there

Easy. Shanghai. Chinese New Year is the week of Feb 10th, so you'll be fine. Shanghai will be cold, but not freezing like in Seoul. Nothing wrong with Seoul, but I just love Shanghai and found Seoul a bit boring except for the DMZ tour, which was fascinating.

Thanks for the replies.

Kathie, you make an excellent suggestion when you recommend HK. I have been to HK often and kow the city well, on this trip I would prefer to visit a destination where I have not been. The disadvantage I have is that the weather will not be best in either Seoul or Shanghai in January. I will look at flights/accomodation options etc for Shanghai.

I am not exactly sure how anyone can find Seoul boring. The Central Market (Gwangjang) is a labrynthine city that is untouched by progress over the years. Nothing like it in Shanghai, which has been cleaned up by the government. Soeul is more of a cultural capital than Shanghai, and the art scene, folk museums, and cultural life in general is highly advanced.

I like both places a lot, but if I had to choose one, I'd go to Seoul.

If you like, you can also take advantage of a Korea Free Guide program (similar to the one in Japan) available through the Visit Korea website. This could help you visit sites in and around Seoul.

Seoul is anything but boring but in late January unless you love the frigid cold it would be Shanghai for me hands down.

Aloha!

Seoul is brutally cold. Shanghai is moderate. But the air quality can make a big difference in Shanghai. Lately it has been quite good (for the past few days) but when it gets bad, it gets really bad. But if you hit the city near the holidays, they tend to turn off the factories for a spell and we can get some nice air then. But the prices also go up for lodging....And things do close down tight. But this does depend on exactly what days you are hitting the area...