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

Should you visit Beijing or Belfast?

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 Belfast 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 fascinating, historic, and massive city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Belfast

Belfast is a authentic, affordable, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife and shopping.

Beijing and Belfast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Belfast?

You'll generally find more things to do in Beijing than Belfast. Beijing is bigger than Belfast, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Beijing is more touristy than Belfast 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. Belfast is well known for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

How is Beijing different from Belfast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Beijing or Belfast Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Belfast 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 Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Belfast?

Beijing is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Belfast 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 Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Beijing or Belfast Better for Families?

Both Beijing and Belfast 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.

Belfast offers lots of family activities. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Is Beijing or Belfast Better for Couples?

Beijing is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Beijing or Belfast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Belfast 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.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Beijing or Belfast Better for Students?

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

Beijing is a great city to visit as a student. 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 Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

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

Beijing is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Beijing. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Beijing or Belfast a more walkable city?

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

Belfast is a somewhat walkable city.

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 Belfast Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Belfast or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Belfast?

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

Families should spend more time in Beijing than Belfast. 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 Belfast. 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 Belfast 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 Belfast?

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 Belfast, you'll find nightlife and shopping. This 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 Belfast?

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 Belfast, you'll find shopping and nightlife. 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 Belfast has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Belfast?

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.

Belfast 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 Belfast?

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 Belfast. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Belfast. 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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Belfast?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Belfast, 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 Belfast?

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 Belfast in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Belfast. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Belfast because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Beijing is much warmer than Belfast. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Belfast averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 151 hours of full sun in the summer.

Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Belfast. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Belfast in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Belfast. The autumn months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Belfast this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Belfast. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 92 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Belfast. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Belfast in the Winter?

Both Belfast and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Belfast for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Belfast. It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. Beijing is much colder than Belfast in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Belfast fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 50 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Belfast. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Belfast in the Spring?

Both Belfast and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Belfast in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Beijing is much warmer than Belfast. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Belfast averages at about 8°C (46°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Belfast. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 150 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Belfast. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Belfast and Beijing