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

Should you visit Beijing or Ghent?

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 Ghent 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. Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Beijing travel costs.

Ghent

Ghent is a historic, under-rated, and youthful city. The famous beauty of Ghent is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Ghent travel costs.

Beijing and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Ghent?

You'll generally find more things to do in Beijing than Ghent. Beijing is bigger than Ghent, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Beijing is better known for its museums and attractions, food, and big city activities, while Ghent is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Beijing is more touristy than Ghent 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. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Beijing different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Ghent offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

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

Beijing is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ghent 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.

Ghent has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Is Beijing or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Ghent is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

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 Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Ghent is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Ghent?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ghent 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 Ghent. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

Is Beijing or Ghent More Beautiful?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Ghent is one of the main draws. With its medieval architecture and beautiful waterfront areas, the city has a lot to offer.

Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. 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.

Is Beijing or Ghent Better for Families?

Both Beijing and Ghent 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.

Ghent offers lots of family activities. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Is Beijing or Ghent Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Ghent frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

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 Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Ghent 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 Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is Beijing or Ghent Better for Students?

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

Ghent is a very popular city for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

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 Ghent Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ghent 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 Ghent can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

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 Ghent a more walkable city?

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

Ghent is a very walkable destination. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.

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 Ghent Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Ghent?

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

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

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

Each neighborhood in Beijing has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Ghent, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ghent has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Ghent?

Beijing is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Beijing has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Ghent is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Ghent?

Each neighborhood in Beijing has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Ghent. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. 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 Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Ghent?

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

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 Ghent in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Beijing is much warmer than Ghent. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Ghent averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 202 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 Ghent. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Ghent in the Autumn?

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

In October, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°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 Ghent. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Ghent. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Ghent in the Winter?

Both Ghent 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 Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ghent can be very cold during winter. Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. Beijing is much colder than Ghent in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Ghent. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Ghent in the Spring?

Both Ghent 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. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Ghent because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Beijing is much warmer than Ghent. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Ghent averages at about 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Ghent. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Beijing