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China
Australia
Area Comparison
Shanghai is 2.0x smaller than Sydney
Population Comparison
Shanghai has 4.7x more people than Sydney
In terms of area, Sydney is 2.0x the size of Shanghai. Sydney spans 12,368 km² (4,775 mi²) while Shanghai covers 6,341 km² (2,448 mi²) — a difference of 6,027 km².
To put Shanghai's size in perspective, its area of 6,341 km² is about 1.5x the size of Los Angeles metro. Meanwhile, Sydney at 12,368 km² is about 2.0x the size of Shanghai.
China's largest city and a global financial hub. Known as "The Pearl of the Orient", Shanghai covers 6,341 km² with a population of 24.9 million. The city was established in 1291. Shanghai is known for The Bund waterfront, Pudong skyline, Yuyuan Garden, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Shanghai Metro.
Shanghai's Maglev train reaches 431 km/h, the fastest commercial train in the world
Australia's largest city, known for the Opera House. Also known as "The Harbour City", Sydney has an area of 12,368 km² and is home to 5.3 million people. It was established in 1788. Visitors come for Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Sydney Trains.
Sydney's administrative area is so large it stretches from the coast to the Blue Mountains foothills
Looking beyond city limits, the Sydney metropolitan area covers 12,368 km², which is 2.0x larger than greater Shanghai at 6,341 km². The Shanghai metro area is also more populous, with 28.5 million people compared to 5.3 million.
Shanghai has a population density of 3,922 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Sydney, with 429 people per km², is a low-density, sprawling urban area. Shanghai is dramatically more crowded, with 9.1x the population density.
This comparison spans continents — Shanghai in Asia versus Sydney in Oceania. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Both cities share a humid subtropical climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each. When it's noon in Sydney, it's 10:00 AM in Shanghai — a 2-hour time difference.
Density Gap
Shanghai is 9.1x more densely populated
History
Shanghai is ~497 years older
The straight-line distance from Shanghai to Sydney is 7,881 km (4,897 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~9h 46m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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