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

Should you visit Beijing or Antwerp?

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 Antwerp 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 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a youthful, vibrant, and authentic port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Beijing and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Antwerp?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Antwerp, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its museums, food, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Antwerp is known for its historical sights and shopping. Beijing is more touristy than Antwerp and is known for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also home to The Forbidden City. Antwerp is popular for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

How is Beijing different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Antwerp 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 Antwerp?

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Antwerp can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of cathedrals, museums, and art galleries that are fun to explore. The history and culture of the town is best experienced by wandering the streets and soaking up the architecture.

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

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Beijing has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Antwerp is becoming an appealing option for foodies. People with a sweet tooth will enjoy the chocolates and biscuits that make this city famous. You'll also find plenty of fries and casual dining options to choose from. Local favorites include mussels and fish and chips, and of course, you must try the beer!

Is Beijing or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Antwerp has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Beijing know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife in Antwerp has something for everybody. With its large student population and young vibe, you'll find an active nightlife scene around town. Many of the the clubs and bars are concentrated in the docklands, but you'll also find places to hang out everywhere around town.

Is Beijing or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Antwerp is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city has a long running history and many unique spots to explore. At the heart of the old town is Grote Markt, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets. There are a diversity of restaurants including local cuisines, Italian restaurants, and a number of different ethnic food. You'll also find local chocolate shops, waffle vendors, and ice cream.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Antwerp?

Antwerp is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Antwerp is a world class destination for shoppers. The city has become known for its fashion scene. The main shopping street is Meir, which is where you'll find a variety of European fashion chains. It's also fun to buy chocolates, art, or other souvenirs around town. You'll find both locals and tourists perusing the main shopping areas around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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 Beijing or Antwerp Better for Families?

Both Beijing and Antwerp are good 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.

Antwerp offers lots of family activities. Favorite kid-friendly activities around town include taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel, going to the local zoo, or exploring the indoor play area Plopsa Station. Kids will also enjoy exploring the underground canals or taking a boat ride. Chocolate lovers will have fun checking out the many chocolate shops around town.

Is Beijing or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Antwerp are good 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.

Antwerp is a nice destination for couples. The city has a wonderful café culture with great restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods to explore. There are many great restaurants as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

Is Beijing or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is well known for backpackers. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Beijing is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Antwerp. With a handful of hostels and a variety of free activities, this is an affordable place to visit. It's often overlooked by backpackers so those that visit will be rewarded. It has a vibe of authenticity which is great for backpacker's who are a bit jaded from the tourism scene.

Is Beijing or Antwerp Better for Students?

Beijing and Antwerp are superb places to visit for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Beijing. 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.

Many students visit Antwerp. There's a good student culture and a lot of activities that give the city a fun and youthful vibe. It's a relatively big city with a lot of transportation connections, so it makes a great base for exploring other areas.

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

Beijing is well known for its public transit. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Beijing has some very good public transit options. 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.

While Antwerp offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are both tram and bus lines around town. The city also has a large and impressive train station with many connections, making it a good base for exploring other areas.

Is Beijing or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Antwerp is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Antwerp is a very walkable destination. The old town can be comfortably explored on foot, particularly the area around Grote Markt.

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 Antwerp Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Antwerp?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Beijing and Antwerp. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than in Antwerp. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 1-3 days is enough time in Antwerp.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beijing than Antwerp 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 Antwerp?

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 Antwerp, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Beijing or Antwerp?

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 Antwerp, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Antwerp has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Antwerp?

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.

Antwerp is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Antwerp?

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 Antwerp. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Antwerp. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Belgium, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Antwerp, we can see that Antwerp 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 Antwerp 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 Antwerp would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antwerp 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 Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Antwerp?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Antwerp. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Antwerp, 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 Antwerp?

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 Antwerp in the Summer?

Both Antwerp and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Antwerp for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Beijing is generally much warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Antwerp. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Beijing. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Antwerp. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Antwerp in the Autumn?

Both Antwerp and Beijing during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Beijing is a little warmer than Antwerp in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Antwerp fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Antwerp. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Antwerp in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Antwerp. The winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

It's quite cold in Antwerp in the winter. The weather in Beijing can be very cold. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Antwerp. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Antwerp averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Antwerp in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Antwerp. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Antwerp for the activities around the city.

In April, Beijing is generally much warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Antwerp. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Beijing