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

Should you visit Beijing or Katoomba?

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 Katoomba 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.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a serene, natural, and relaxing town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of Katoomba is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Katoomba travel costs.

Beijing and Katoomba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Katoomba?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Beijing than Katoomba, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Beijing is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Katoomba is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Beijing is more touristy than Katoomba 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. Katoomba is well known for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains.

How is Beijing different from Katoomba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Katoomba offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

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

Beijing is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Katoomba has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Beijing or Katoomba Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Beijing offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Katoomba. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

Is Beijing or Katoomba Better for Hiking?

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

Around Katoomba visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Katoomba?

Beijing is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Beijing is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Katoomba. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

Is Beijing or Katoomba More Beautiful?

Katoomba 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 Katoomba is one of the main draws. It's a town surrounded by natural beauty. It offers easy access to breathtaking views and impressive hikes through the Blue Mountains.

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 Katoomba Better for Families?

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

Katoomba is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

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 Katoomba Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Katoomba frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

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 Katoomba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing and Katoomba are very good places to visit 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.

Katoomba is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural setting.

Is Beijing or Katoomba Better for Students?

Beijing is a well-known place for students. However, Katoomba is not popular with students.

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.

Katoomba is not popular with students.

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

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

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.

Katoomba has some public transit options. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

Is Beijing or Katoomba a more walkable city?

Katoomba is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Katoomba is a somewhat walkable town. The town itself is relatively 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 Katoomba Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Katoomba or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Katoomba?

It's fun to spend time in either Beijing or Katoomba. 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 Katoomba.

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

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

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

Beijing is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Katoomba is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town 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 Katoomba?

Beijing is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Katoomba might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Katoomba has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Katoomba?

Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Katoomba is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Katoomba?

Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beijing has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Katoomba. Since Katoomba is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Katoomba?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 400 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Beijing is a little warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Katoomba averages at about 24°C (74°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

Katoomba receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Katoombain January. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Katoomba in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Katoomba. 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 Katoomba in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Beijing is generally cooler than Katoombain April. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°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 Katoombain April. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Katoombain April. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Katoomba in the Winter?

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

Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. Beijing is much colder than Katoomba in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Katoomba. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Katoombain July. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Katoomba in the Spring?

Both Katoomba 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 Katoomba because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Beijing is cooler than Katoomba. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

In Katoomba, 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 Katoombain October. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Katoombain October. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Beijing