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

Should you visit Beijing or Dallas?

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 Dallas 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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale 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 Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Dallas?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Dallas, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more touristy than Dallas 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. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Beijing different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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 Dallas can be an interesting and educational experience. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

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

Beijing is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Dallas has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Is Beijing or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Dallas 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 Dallas has something for everybody. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Dallas?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Dallas 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 Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Beijing or Dallas Better for Families?

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

Dallas is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

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 Dallas Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Dallas frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

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 Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city 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.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

Is Beijing or Dallas Better for Students?

Beijing is a well-known place for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

Beijing is very popular with students. 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.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

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

Beijing is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Beijing can get you around 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.

Dallas has some public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Beijing or Dallas a more walkable city?

Beijing and Dallas both are decent 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.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Beijing or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Beijing due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

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

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

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

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

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 Dallas, 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 Dallas has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Dallas?

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.

Dallas 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 Dallas?

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 Dallas. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dallas. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Dallas?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Dallas. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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 Dallas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Dallas. Many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Beijing is generally cooler than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 337 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 Dallas. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Dallas. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Dallas because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Beijing is much colder than Dallas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the autumn, Beijing often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Dallas. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

The weather in Beijing can be very cold. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Dallas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Dallas averages at about 46°F (8°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Dallas during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Dallas. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dallas for the activities around the city.

In April, Beijing is generally cooler than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Dallas. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Beijing