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

Should you visit Beijing or Boston?

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 Boston 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 massive, jam-packed, and cultural 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.

Boston

Boston is a historic, traditional, and classic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Beijing and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Boston?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Boston than Beijing. While Beijing is larger than Boston, Boston has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Boston is better known for its theatre productions, music, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Beijing is more popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities. Beijing is more touristy than Boston and is known for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. Boston is well known for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. Also, Boston is famous for The Freedom Trail.

How is Beijing different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Beijing or Boston.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Beijing on the map. 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.

Travelers visit Boston from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

Is Beijing or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is a great destination for its shows and theatre. However, Beijing is not a theatre destination.

Boston attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Beijing is not a theatre destination.

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

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Beijing, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Boston has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Is Beijing or Boston Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Boston 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 Boston has something for everybody. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Is Beijing or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a city with good options for its music scene. However, Beijing is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Boston. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Beijing is not a live music destination.

Is Beijing or Boston Better for Beaches?

Boston is a city with a few options for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

The beach in Boston is worth checking out. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Boston offers plenty to see. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Boston?

Beijing is notable for shopping. Also, Boston 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 Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Beijing or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is a great destination for its Christmas activities. However, Beijing does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Boston. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Beijing does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Beijing or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is a great destination for its Christmas markets. However, Beijing does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston has a large number of Christmas markets. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Beijing does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Beijing or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Boston is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

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 Beijing or Boston Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Boston 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.

Boston is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Beijing or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is notable for backpackers. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Beijing or Boston Better for Students?

Boston is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Boston is a very popular city for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Many students visit 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.

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

Boston is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Boston can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

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.

Is Beijing or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Getting around Boston on foot is easy. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best 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 Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Boston?

In either Beijing or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than Boston because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

One day in Beijing or Boston?

Beijing is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Boston, you'll find food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 Boston?

Beijing is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Boston, you'll find shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Beijing or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Boston is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Boston has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or Boston?

Beijing is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boston. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Boston. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Boston?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Boston, 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 Boston?

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 Boston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Boston. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Beijing is a little warmer than Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Boston during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 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 Boston. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Boston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Boston. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Boston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Boston. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Boston. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Boston. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Boston in the Winter?

Both Boston and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Boston can be very cold during winter. Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. Beijing is much colder than Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Boston during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Boston. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Boston in the Spring?

Both Boston and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Beijing is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C).

In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Boston. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Boston and Beijing