A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. Koh Phi Phi for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Beijing or Koh Phi Phi?

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 Koh Phi Phi 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. 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a beautiful, rustic, and remote island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Beijing and Koh Phi Phi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Koh Phi Phi?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing. Although Beijing and Koh Phi Phi are both popular with visitors, Beijing has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Beijing is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Phi Phi is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Beijing is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also home to The Forbidden City. Koh Phi Phi is popular for its stunningly beautiful beaches, world-class snorkeling and diving, and wild booze cruises.

How is Beijing different from Koh Phi Phi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is renowned for its historical sights. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Beijing are world-renowned. 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.

Koh Phi Phi offers a few options for museum-goers. It's an island paradise with world class beaches and stunning natural beauty, but if you're looking for museums, temples, and culture, then you'll likely want to head farther north to Northern Thailand.

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

Beijing is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 many up and coming restaurants in the Koh Phi Phi area. Most dishes feature seafood, and you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants around Tonsai Village. There are also restaurants dotting the way to Long Beach. Many restaurants offer outdoor seating, or a combination of an indoor/outdoor setting. Tropical fruit is also abundant on the island and adds to that tropical paradise atmosphere.

Is Beijing or Koh Phi Phi Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi has something for everybody. Despite its smaller size, there is still a party vibe and tons of nightlife on the island. Backpackers have long flocked to this island, building on the reputation it earned from movies like "The Beach." Booze cruises and all night beach parties are the norm here, so it won't be hard to find a party that lasts until sunrise.

Is Beijing or Koh Phi Phi Better for Resorts?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

Koh Phi Phi is a world class resort vacation destination. Despite it's popularity with backpackers and small size, this island also has some of Thailand's most luxurious resorts. Head to Long Beach or Laem Tong to appreciate the quieter side of the island.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Beijing or Koh Phi Phi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Phi Phi is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The dramatic limestone cliffs and colorful coral make this a top scuba diving and snorkeling destination in Thailand. There are countless vendors who offer scuba diving or snorkeling trips from the island. You might even see sharks, sea turtles, or seahorses during your trip. Head to the reef at dusk for the best chance of seeing black tip reef sharks.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Beijing or Koh Phi Phi Better for Beaches?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

Koh Phi Phi is considered to be a world-class beach destination. This island has some of the most dramatic beauty in Thailand and the beaches will not disappoint. Although it's usually referred to as an island, Koh Phi Phi is actually a small archipelago with Koh Phi Phi Don being the only inhabited island. Nearby Koh Phi Phi Leh is famous as the filming place of the movie "The Beach" (which you'll hear playing at hotels around the island every night). The beaches are beautiful with white sand and clear water. It truly is a tropical paradise.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Koh Phi Phi Better for Hiking?

Koh Phi Phi is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Koh Phi Phi. With its dramatic cliffs, this area has beautiful, but challenging hikes that take you to stunning viewpoints. The dramatic photos that you see of the islands often require a hike, but the reward at the end is well worth it.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Koh Phi Phi?

Beijing is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Beijing is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Koh Phi Phi has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. Shopping is limited on the island but you'll find a few souvenir shops with trinkets that you can purchase. Because it's an island, you can expect prices to be high.

Is Beijing or Koh Phi Phi Better for Families?

Beijing is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Koh Phi Phi is not the most family-friendly destination. This island is on the smaller side and it has a remote tropical island atmosphere. The best side of the island for families is the north end where you'll find the quietest and most beautiful beaches. It's best to avoid the area around Tonsai which has the highest concentration of backpackers and day trippers.

Is Beijing or Koh Phi Phi Better for Couples?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Koh Phi Phi is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Stunning beaches, dramatic landscapes, excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, and a remote tropical atmosphere make this is a great place for couples and honeymooners. Head to the quieter north side of the island where you'll find the better resorts and less backpackers, as well as the best beaches.

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 Koh Phi Phi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Phi Phi is a very popular island to visit for backpackers. Most people visit this island as a day trip, but for those who linger, they'll be rewarded with dramatic landscapes and beautiful beaches. Most backpackers hang out around Tonsai where things are the cheapest, but the quality can also be very poor.

Beijing is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Is Beijing or Koh Phi Phi Better for Students?

Beijing is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not popular with students.

Beijing is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Koh Phi Phi is not popular with students.

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

Beijing is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its public transit.

Beijing has some very good public transit options. 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.

Koh Phi Phi has a few public transit options. There are water taxis and private boats that you can hire.

Is Beijing or Koh Phi Phi a more walkable city?

Koh Phi Phi is a island with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Koh Phi Phi is a somewhat walkable island. You can't walk all of the way around the island because of the cliffs, but you can walk from Tonsai to Long Beach.

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 Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Phi Phi or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Koh Phi Phi?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than Beijing 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 Koh Phi Phi.

One day in Beijing or Koh Phi Phi?

Beijing is a historic city where you can fill many days. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Koh Phi Phi, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island 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 Koh Phi Phi?

Beijing is a historic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

In Koh Phi Phi, you'll find nightlife and food. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Phi Phi has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Koh Phi Phi?

Beijing is a massive city where you can fill many days. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Koh Phi Phi is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Koh Phi Phi?

Beijing is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Phi Phi. Many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting Koh Phi Phi. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Beijing and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Koh Phi Phi?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 7480 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Koh Phi Phi, 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 Koh Phi Phi?

Beijing has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Phi Phi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.

In July, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Koh Phi Phi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun.

Koh Phi Phi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets less rain in July than Koh Phi Phi. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Koh Phi Phi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Koh Phi Phi. 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. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Beijing is much colder than Koh Phi Phi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Koh Phi Phi is the dry season. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi.

Should I visit Beijing or Koh Phi Phi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Koh Phi Phi. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.

Beijing can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Koh Phi Phi. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Koh Phi Phi is the dry season.

Should I visit Beijing or Koh Phi Phi in the Spring?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Beijing is generally much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Phi Phi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Phi Phi during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Koh Phi Phi is May to November.

Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Beijing