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

Should you visit Beijing or Manchester?

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 Manchester 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 cultural, fascinating, and historic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Beijing travel costs.

Manchester

Manchester is a cultural, vibrant, and dynamic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food. See Manchester travel costs.

Beijing and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Manchester?

You'll generally find more things to do in Beijing than Manchester. Beijing is bigger than Manchester, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Beijing is better known for its museums and attractions, food, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Manchester is more popular for its music. Beijing is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. Also, Beijing is famous for The Forbidden City. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

How is Beijing different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Beijing from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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

Beijing is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Beijing has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Beijing or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Manchester 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 Manchester has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Beijing or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is a great destination for its music scene. However, Beijing is not a live music destination.

Manchester has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Beijing is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Manchester?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Manchester 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 Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Beijing or Manchester More Beautiful?

Beijing is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Manchester is not a destination known for its beauty.

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.

Manchester is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Beijing or Manchester Better for Families?

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

Manchester is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United 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 Manchester Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Manchester frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Beijing or Manchester Better for Students?

Beijing and Manchester are superb 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 Manchester. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Is Beijing or Manchester 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 Manchester.

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 Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Is Beijing or Manchester a more walkable city?

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

Manchester is a somewhat walkable city. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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 Manchester Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Manchester?

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

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

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

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

When visiting Beijing, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Manchester, 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 Manchester?

When visiting Beijing, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Manchester, 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 Manchester has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Manchester?

Beijing, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Manchester 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 Manchester?

Beijing is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Manchester. 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 Manchester, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Manchester?

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

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 Manchester in the Summer?

Both Manchester and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Beijing is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Manchester averages at about 16°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Manchester. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Manchester. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Manchester. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Manchester in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Manchester. The winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.

It's quite cold in Manchester in the winter. The weather in Beijing can be very cold. Beijing is much colder than Manchester in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Manchester fluctuates around 4°C (39°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 Manchester. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Manchester. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Manchester for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Beijing is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Manchester averages at about 8°C (46°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Manchester. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Beijing