Flying to Shanghai from UK with baby and 4 YO

[Feelingchipper]

AIBU to think we will have a fun holiday if I accompany my husband on a work trip to Shanghai, taking my (then) 9 month old and almost 5 year old for 7ish days? Dh will be in meetings mostly for 5 days of that. Then there's the long haul flight (circa 14 hours with 1 stop over) and jetlag. The kids are generally good travellers but we've not been anywhere so far yet. Extra cost for me and the kids will be in the region of £1200, DH costs to be covered by work. I don't mind wandering around the city myself with the kids. They have good public transport there.

Or should I ditch DH and have myself a nice luxury European holiday instead

Wow thanks so much BobbyGentry! I do generally have the approach of not worrying too much about managing with kids and just going for it! Mostly it has resulted in great experiences but there's always the risk of it ending in misery

I think you could have a great time or a horrible time which all depends on your attitude and expectations.
I have travelled a lot, and lived in Africa, with small children. I always found them very adaptable.
I know Beijing well but have only been once to Shanghai, without children, so don't know what there is for children but sure you can find out.
Positives are Chinese people are very helpful and friendly. The hotel will be able to arrange trips for you.
Not been to China for 10 years but I found taxis were very cheap and easy to find and never bothered with anything else. If you tell the hotel where you are going they will write it down for you to show to the driver and you can show the hotel card for return.
You will find a great many people speak English.
Eating out was very cheap when I was there and the food so much nicer and fresher than Chinese restaurants. Western food will be readily available in the hotel.
Shanghai is a massive, very modern city so I would try to be as near the centre as possible.
Loads of really good interesting shops, markets, department stores full of lovely kids stuff.
There is pollution but lots of expats live there and cope so for a week I wouldn't worry too much unless one of your children has asthma or similar.
Hotels will be fine with air conditioning.
May will be a good time to go. I was there in July and found it hot but not unbearably so.
There is a very good European hospital in Beijing so would expect similar in Shanghai.
Jet lag. Well lots of families go to Florida and manage.
Flight is long but with a stopover should be OK. Do they still do Sky cots on the bulkhead seats ?
I remember my twins being hung up in hammocks from the luggage racks but that was on Kenya airways a long time ago.
My son and daughter in law did a similar thing when he had a conference in Beijing. Only one 2 year old but she had a great time.
So I am trying to be objective but ending up sounding positive.
It's really up to you. China is amazing. Weigh up everything, pros and cons, and then decide.
Oh and avoid the evening post conference dinners if you can. My worst memory of China is being taken out for interminable meals.
Hong Kong is also amazing if you can stop over there. Your older child will love the escalators which go outside from one street to the next as it is so steep. Also the old trams, train up to the Peak and boats to the mainland and other islands.