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

Should you visit Beijing or Cairns?

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 Cairns 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. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Beijing travel costs.

Cairns

Cairns is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and tropical city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Cairns travel costs.

Beijing and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Known for its beauty
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Big city activities
  • Home to the Forbidden City
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Home to the Great Barrier Reef
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights


Is there more to do in Beijing or Cairns?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing than Cairns. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Beijing is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Cairns attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Beijing is famous for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also well known for The Forbidden City. Cairns is famous for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system.

How is Beijing different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing
Cairns

Beijing is terrific for its museums and history. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Beijing has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Cairns offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.


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

Beijing
Cairns

Beijing is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cairns makes for a great culinary experience. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

Is Beijing or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

Beijing
Cairns

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

The nightlife in Cairns is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

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 Beijing or Cairns Better for Resorts?

Beijing
Cairns

Cairns is a great destination for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

In Cairns, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Beijing is not a resort destination.


Is Beijing or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Beijing
Cairns

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

Cairns is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Beijing or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Beijing
Cairns

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

Cairns is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Beijing
Cairns

Cairns is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Around Cairns visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Cairns?

Beijing
Cairns

Shopping is a popular activity in both Cairns and Beijing.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cairns. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Is Beijing or Cairns More Beautiful?

Beijing
Cairns

Beijing is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Cairns is not a destination known for its beauty.

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.

Cairns is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Beijing or Cairns Better for Families?

Beijing
Cairns

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

Cairns is an extremely popular city to visit for families. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

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 Cairns Better for Couples?

Beijing
Cairns

Cairns is a great destination for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Cairns frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

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 Beijing or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing
Cairns

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

Cairns is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

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 Beijing or Cairns Better for Students?

Beijing
Cairns

Beijing is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Cairns is not popular with students.

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.

Cairns is not popular with students.


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

Beijing
Cairns

Beijing is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Beijing can get you to most 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.

You'll find some public transit in Cairns, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Beijing or Cairns a more walkable city?

Beijing
Cairns

Beijing and Cairns both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Beijing is generally not very walkable. 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.

Cairns is generally not a very walkable city. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Cairns?

In either Beijing or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than Cairns 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 Cairns.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cairns 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 Cairns.


  • How many days in Beijing or Cairns? Ideal Length of Stay
    Beijing 3-7 
    Cairns 3-5

One day in Beijing or Cairns?

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 Cairns, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Cairns?

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 Cairns, 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.

Five days in Beijing or Cairns?

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.

Cairns 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 Cairns has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or Cairns?

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 Cairns. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Cairns. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Beijing?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $91, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $116. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Beijing and Cairns in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beijing $40
    Cairns $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beijing $80
    Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Cairns

Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Cairns? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Beijing


Hotels in Cairns


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cairns Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beijing $7.83
    Cairns $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:


  • Taxi
    $4.78
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $7.01
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.41
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.24
  • Metro
    $0.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:

  • [Airport Transfer] Beijing Capital Airport ⇔ Beijing City Transfer (one way) ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $25
  • VIP Mutianyu Great Wall Tour: Expert Guide & Private Transfer: $87
  • Universal Beijing Resort Private Transfer one way, City/Airport: $45
  • Ultimate Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall Discovery with Airport Transfer: $186
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Beijing APT-HTL (PEK): $41
  • Transfer: Beijing City Center to Beijing Airport (PEK): $42
  • Transfer: Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) to Beijing City: $40
  • Transfer to Daxing Intl Airport : $60
  • Transfer to Beijing Capital Intl Airport : $35
  • Transfer from Daxing Intl Airport : $60
  • Tianjin Port Private transfers to Beijing Hotel&optionals: $219
  • Tianjin International Cruise Port to Beijing Capital Airport by private transfer: $148

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns

Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • AIRPORT TRANSFER between Cairns Airport & Port Douglas (6am-5pm): $40
  • Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Cairns City: $15
  • Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Palm Cove: $24
  • Cairns Airport (CNS) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Port Douglas Hotel or Address): $230
  • Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
  • Cairns Airport (CNS) to Palm Cove - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $171
  • Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - Arrival Private Transfer: $189
  • Cairns Airport (CNS): Transfer to Port Douglas hotels: $184
  • Cairns Airport Shared Transfer to Cairns: $15
  • Cairns Airport Transfers: $160
  • Cairns Airport to Port Douglas Private Transfer 1-7 Pax: $174
  • Cairns Airport to Port Douglas Private Transfer With Return : $267

Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Cairns?

Prices for flights to both Cairns and Beijing change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Beijing $34
    Cairns $49
Typical Food Prices in Beijing

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:


  • Popcorn
    $0.84
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $7.01
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.80
  • Watermelon
    $1.96
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $17
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.

  • Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
  • Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
  • Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
  • China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
  • Beijing Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
  • Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing: $70
  • Beijing Hidden Hutong Bike & Food Tour - Pro Photos Included: $71

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns

For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with optional 3 Course Dinner : $66
  • Ancient Egypt Night Tour with optional 2 Course Dinner: $66
  • Dinner Cruise Experience: $92
  • Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise: $93
  • Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $96
  • Aquarium Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $118
  • Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with 3 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
  • Ancient Egypt Night Tour with 2 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
  • City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $171
  • Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $174
  • Paronella Park Rainforest Full-Day Tour with Dinner: $66,130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beijing $24
    Cairns $37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing

Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Summer Palace for Two
    $8.41
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $60
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $9.81
  • Forbidden City (for 2)
    $17
  • Forbidden City Tickets
    $17
  • Audio Guides at Forbidden City
    $11

Tours and Activities in Beijing

Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall and Beijing Airport Drop off Tour: $235
  • 4-Hour Beijing Layover Tour to Hutong from Daxing Airport: $145
  • All Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $188
  • All Inclusive Private Tour: Juyongguan Greatwall, Sacred Road, MingTombs : $180
  • Beijing 2 Summer Palace Private Garden Tour: $140
  • Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with English Driver : $121
  • Beijing Private Tour of Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Bird's Nest and Water Cube: $297
  • China Art Museum and 798 Art Zone Private Tour: $137
  • China National Museum Ticket Pre-booking and Tiananmen Square : $9.50
  • Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights: $81
  • Forbidden City Tour : $116
  • Forbidden city with Tian'anmen square layover tour of Beijing : $240

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Scuba Diving
    $36

Tours and Activities in Cairns

For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Admission Ticket: $10
  • Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket: $10
  • Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket: $13
  • Kuranda Koala Gardens General Entry Ticket: $15
  • Kuranda: Riverboat Tour: $20
  • Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Admission Tickets: $26
  • Hipster and Street Art Walking Tour: $29
  • Tomb of the Pharaohs Entry Ticket: $32
  • Cairns Tomb Of The Pharaohs General Admission Ticket: $32
  • Cairns Pub & Club Tour: $34
  • Cairns Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket with Koala Photo: $37
  • Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beijing $12
    Cairns $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:

  • Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
  • Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $158
  • 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
  • Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199
  • Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:

  • Cairns Party Bus Pub Crawl Night Out Experience: $44
  • From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $169


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


Which is Bigger, Beijing or Cairns?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Cairns, 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 Cairns?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Beijing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Beijing or Cairns in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Cairns. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Cairns in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Beijing is around the same temperature as Cairns in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Cairns. Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Beijing 27°C (80°F) 
    Cairns 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Beijing or Cairns in the Autumn?

Both Cairns and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Beijing is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Cairns is April to October.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Beijing 14°C (56°F) 
    Cairns 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Beijing or Cairns in the Winter?

Both Cairns and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cairns because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Beijing can be very cold during winter. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Cairnsin July. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Cairnsin July. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Beijing -4°C (26°F) 
    Cairns 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Beijing or Cairns in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Cairns. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

Beijing is much colder than Cairns in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Cairnsin October. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to October in Cairns is the dry season. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Beijing 14°C (57°F) 
    Cairns 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Cairns and Beijing

Beijing Cairns
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -4°C (26°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 429 mm (16.9 in)
Feb -1°C (30°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 469 mm (18.5 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 471 mm (18.5 in)
Apr 14°C (57°F) 26 mm (1 in) 27°C (80°F) 273 mm (10.8 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 25°C (78°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jun 25°C (76°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Aug 25°C (78°F) 182 mm (7.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Dec -1°C (29°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 211 mm (8.3 in)