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

Should you visit Beijing or Lyon?

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 Lyon 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. 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.

Lyon

Lyon is a historic, beautiful, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Beijing and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Lyon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Lyon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its big city activities, while Lyon is known for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Beijing is more touristy than Lyon 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. Lyon is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town.

How is Beijing different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Beijing or Lyon.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Beijing on the map. 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.

Travelers visit Lyon from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Beijing and Lyon can be an enjoyable experience.

Many restaurants in Beijing have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Eat your way through Lyon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

Is Beijing or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Lyon 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 Lyon has something for everybody. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

Is Beijing or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Lyon offers plenty to see. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Lyon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lyon 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 Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Is Beijing or Lyon Better for Families?

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

Lyon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

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 Lyon Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Lyon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

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 Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing and Lyon are high quality 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.

Lyon is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Beijing or Lyon Better for Students?

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

Lyon is a very popular city for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

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

Lyon 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 Lyon can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

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 Lyon a more walkable city?

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

Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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 Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Lyon?

In either Beijing or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than Lyon because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon 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 Lyon.

One day in Beijing or Lyon?

Beijing is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Lyon, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Lyon?

Beijing is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Lyon, 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lyon has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Lyon?

Beijing is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Lyon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lyon has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or Lyon?

Beijing is a fascinating city where you can fill many days. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lyon. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Lyon?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

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 Lyon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Lyon. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 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 Lyon. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Lyon. 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. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

Beijing is around the same temperature as Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°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 Lyon. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Beijing or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Lyon. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Beijing