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

Should you visit Beijing or Cologne?

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 Cologne 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. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Beijing travel costs.

Cologne

Cologne is a fun, accessible, and vibrant city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Cologne offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Cologne travel costs.

Beijing and Cologne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Cologne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing than Cologne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Beijing is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, and big city activities, while Cologne attracts visitors for its historical sights and christmas markets. Beijing is more touristy than Cologne and is known 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. Cologne is famous for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River.

How is Beijing different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Many visitors head to Cologne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

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

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

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Beijing or Cologne Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Cologne 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 Cologne has something for everybody. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

Is Beijing or Cologne Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Cologne offers a nice historic old town area. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Cologne?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Cologne 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 Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Is Beijing or Cologne More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of nice scenery and beauty in both Beijing and Cologne.

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.

Cologne is a gorgeous place to visit. You'll be greeted by the intricately designed Cologne Cathedral as you leave the train station. Old Town spreads out from this square and although many areas have been rebuilt, there city still offers a fascinating beauty.

Is Beijing or Cologne Better for Families?

Cologne is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Cologne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

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 Cologne Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Cologne are nice 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.

Cologne is a nice destination for couples. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Is Beijing or Cologne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Beijing is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Cologne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Is Beijing or Cologne Better for Students?

Beijing and Cologne are excellent 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 Cologne. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

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

Cologne 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 Cologne can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

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 Cologne a more walkable city?

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

Cologne is a very walkable destination. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily 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 Cologne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cologne or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Cologne?

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

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

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

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

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 Cologne, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Cologne?

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 Cologne, 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 Cologne has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Cologne?

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.

Cologne 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 Cologne?

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 Cologne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cologne. 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 Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Cologne?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cologne. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Cologne, 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 Cologne?

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 Cologne in the Summer?

Both Cologne and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Cologne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Beijing is a little warmer than Cologne in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Beijing. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Cologne. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Cologne in the Autumn?

Both Cologne and Beijing during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Beijing is a little warmer than Cologne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Cologne averages at about 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Cologne. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Cologne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Cologne. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Cologne because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Cologne can be very cold. Beijing can be very cold during winter. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Cologne. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Cologne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Cologne. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

Beijing is a little warmer than Cologne in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°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 Cologne. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cologne and Beijing