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

Should you visit Beijing or Alesund?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Alesund can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Beijing

Beijing is a jam-packed, cultural, and fascinating city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Beijing travel costs.

Alesund

Alesund is a friendly, scenic, and laid back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Alesund offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Alesund travel costs.

Beijing and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Alesund?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Beijing than Alesund, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Beijing is more touristy than Alesund and is known for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. Also, Beijing is famous for The Forbidden City. Alesund is well known for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords.

How is Beijing different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Beijing is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Beijing that are not to be missed. 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.

Alesund offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Check out the Atlantic Sea-Park and the Sunnmøre Museum. Also visit the small but interesting Fisheries Museum & Ålesund Museum.

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

Beijing is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Beijing is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Alesund has a huge number of terrific restaurants. As Norway's largest fishing port, you'll find plenty of seafood offerings around town. A favorite is bacalao de noruega (dried and salted clipfish), but also make sure you try the lobster soup.

Is Beijing or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Beijing offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Alesund. There are plenty of bars around town as well as nightclubs and live music venues.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Alesund?

Beijing is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Beijing is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Alesund. There are a number of shopping streets around town including the shopping areas in Aspøya, which are known for their homemade souvenirs.

Is Beijing or Alesund More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of notable scenery and beauty in both Beijing and Alesund.

Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.

Alesund is a gorgeous place to visit. The architecture, viewpoints, and nearby fjords make this a great stop off on any Norwegian adventure.

Is Beijing or Alesund Better for Families?

Both Beijing and Alesund are notable to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Beijing. 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.

Alesund offers lots of family activities. There's an aquarium and several great parks including Tueneset Naturlekeplass, which is near the aquarium. There's also hiking in the area and other outdoor adventures.

Is Beijing or Alesund Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Alesund are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Beijing is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Alesund is a nice destination for couples. It's a beautiful setting with spectacular views and fun restaurants. There are many great hikes in the area, and many visitors like to use this town as a base for exploring nearby places.

Is Beijing or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Alesund is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Beijing. 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.

Alesund is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a limited number of hostels in town so apartments may be the best option for backpackers. It's also hard to get around the region without a car.

Is Beijing or Alesund Better for Students?

Beijing is a well-known place for students. Also, Alesund is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Beijing is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Plenty of students visit Alesund. There's a small student population, which means that the group stays close and everyone is very welcoming. The town also makes a great base for exploring this part of Norway.

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

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

Visitors to Beijing can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

Alesund has some public transit options. There is a public bus system around town.

Is Beijing or Alesund a more walkable city?

Alesund is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Alesund is a somewhat walkable city. The city center can be explored on foot.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. 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 Beijing Worth Visiting? and Is Alesund Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Alesund?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Beijing and Alesund. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than in Alesund. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 2-3 days is enough time in Alesund.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beijing than Alesund 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 Beijing.

One day in Beijing or Alesund?

Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Alesund, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Beijing or Alesund?

Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

In Alesund, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Alesund has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Alesund?

Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beijing has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Alesund is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alesund. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alesund. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Alesund, we can see that Alesund is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Alesund is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Alesund would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alesund than you might in Beijing.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Alesund?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Alesund, 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 Beijing or Alesund?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Beijing or Alesund in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Alesund. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Alesund in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Beijing is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Alesund. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Alesund. Many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Alesund for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Beijing is generally much warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Alesund in the Winter?

Both Alesund and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Alesund because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Alesund can be very cold. Beijing can be very cold during winter. Beijing is much colder than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Alesund. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

It's quite cold in Alesund in the spring. In the spring, Beijing is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Beijing