Amsterdam vs Shanghai - City Size Comparison

Is Amsterdam Bigger Than Shanghai?

Yes — Shanghai is 29.0x larger than Amsterdam by area. Shanghai spans 6,341 km² (2,448 mi²) while Amsterdam covers 219 km² (85 mi²) — a difference of 6,122 km². You could fit Amsterdam inside Shanghai approximately 28 times.

About Amsterdam

Capital of the Netherlands, known for its canals. Known as "Venice of the North", Amsterdam covers 219 km² with a population of 0.9 million. The city was established in 1275. Amsterdam is known for Canal ring, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the GVB (Metro & Tram).

Amsterdam sits 2 meters below sea level and is protected by an elaborate system of dikes and pumping stations

About Shanghai

China's largest city and a global financial hub. Also known as "The Pearl of the Orient", Shanghai has an area of 6,341 km² and is home to 24.9 million people. The city dates back to 1291. Visitors come for The Bund waterfront, Pudong skyline, Yuyuan Garden, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Shanghai Metro.

Shanghai's Maglev train reaches 431 km/h, the fastest commercial train in the world

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Shanghai metropolitan area covers 6,341 km², which is 2.5x larger than greater Amsterdam at 2,580 km². The Shanghai metro area is also more populous, with 28.5 million people compared to 2.5 million.

Population Density

Amsterdam has a population density of 4,201 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Shanghai, with 3,922 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Both cities have comparable density, though Amsterdam is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

Amsterdam has a oceanic climate while Shanghai experiences humid subtropical conditions. Summers are notably different: Shanghai averages 28°C compared to 17°C in Amsterdam. When it's noon in Shanghai, it's 5:00 AM in Amsterdam — a 7-hour time difference.