A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Beijing for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Beijing?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Beijing can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a stunning, tropical, and lush island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Beijing

Beijing is a cultural, fascinating, and historic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bali and Beijing: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Beijing?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Bali, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its museums and big city activities, while Bali is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Bali is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Beijing is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also home to The Forbidden City.

How is Bali different from Beijing?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beijing and Bali. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Beijing?

Beijing is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Beijing are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Beijing? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Bali and Beijing offer a number of amazing restaurants to choose from.

Bali has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Beijing is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

Is Bali or Beijing Better for Nightlife?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Bali is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

The nightlife in Beijing has something for everybody. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

Is Bali or Beijing Better for Resorts?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

Bali is a world class resort vacation destination. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Beijing Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Bali is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Beijing Better for Beaches?

Bali is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

Bali is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Beijing Better for Hiking?

Bali is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Beijing?

Both Bali and Beijing are superb shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Is Bali or Beijing Better for Families?

Bali is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bali is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Bali or Beijing Better for Couples?

Bali is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Bali is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Is Bali or Beijing Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bali is a very popular island to visit for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Beijing is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

Is Bali or Beijing Better for Students?

Beijing is a well-known place for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Beijing is very popular with students. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Beijing Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Beijing is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Beijing can get you to some places easily. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Beijing a more walkable city?

Bali and Beijing both are decent when exploring on foot.

Bali is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable island. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Beijing Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beijing or Bali?

How long in Bali or Beijing?

Both Bali and Beijing have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Bali has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bali than Beijing. In general, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 3-7 days is enough time in Beijing.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Beijing. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bali, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Beijing. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Beijing if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bali.

One day in Bali or Beijing?

In Bali, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Beijing is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Beijing?

In Bali, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Beijing is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Beijing?

Bali is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bali has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Beijing is a fascinating big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bali or Beijing?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. In Bali, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Beijing is a cultural city where you can fill many days. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.

When comparing the travel costs between Bali and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Beijing?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Beijing, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bali or Beijing?

Beijing has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Beijing in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bali is around the same temperature as Beijing. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Beijing averages at about 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Beijing during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Beijing. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Beijing in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bali as well as Beijing. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Bali is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Beijing. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in October than Beijing. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Bali or Beijing in the Winter?

Both Beijing and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Beijing can be very cold. Bali is much warmer than Beijing in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. Bali usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Beijing. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Beijing in the Spring?

Both Beijing and Bali during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.

In the spring, Bali is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bali. In the spring, Bali often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in April than Beijing. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Typical Weather for Beijing and Bali