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

Should you visit Beijing or Glasgow?

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 Glasgow 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 fascinating, historic, and massive city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a historic, high energy, and friendly city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food.

Beijing and Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Glasgow?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing than Glasgow. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Beijing is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Glasgow attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, and historical sights. Beijing is more touristy than Glasgow and is popular 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. Glasgow is famous for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population.

How is Beijing different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Glasgow. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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

Beijing is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Beijing is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Beijing or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Glasgow is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

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 Glasgow Better for Music?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Beijing is not a live music destination.

In Glasgow you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Beijing is not a live music destination.

Is Beijing or Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

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

Glasgow offers a nice historic old town area. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Glasgow?

Beijing is great for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Beijing or Glasgow Better for Families?

Both Beijing and Glasgow are nice 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.

Glasgow offers lots of family activities. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Beijing or Glasgow Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Is Beijing or Glasgow Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Glasgow is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Is Beijing or Glasgow Better for Students?

Beijing and Glasgow are high quality 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 Glasgow. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Beijing and Glasgow.

Beijing offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Glasgow. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Is Beijing or Glasgow a more walkable city?

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

Glasgow is a very walkable destination. The city center is generally walkable and can be 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 Glasgow Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Glasgow?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Beijing and Glasgow. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than in Glasgow. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 2-3 days is enough time in Glasgow.

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

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

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 Glasgow, you'll find shopping and 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 Glasgow?

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 Glasgow, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Glasgow has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Glasgow?

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.

Glasgow 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 Glasgow?

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 Glasgow. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Glasgow. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Glasgow?

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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Beijing or Glasgow in the Summer?

Both Glasgow and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Beijing is much warmer than Glasgow in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Glasgow fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 159 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Glasgow. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Glasgow in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Glasgow. The autumn months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year.

In the autumn, Beijing is a little warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Glasgow averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 69 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Glasgow in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Glasgow. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Glasgow for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Glasgow. It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 40 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Glasgow. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Glasgow in the Spring?

Both Glasgow and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Glasgow in the spring for the activities around the city.

Beijing is much warmer than Glasgow in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Glasgow fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Glasgow and Beijing