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

Should you visit Beijing or Matsue?

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 Matsue 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 historic, massive, and jam-packed 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Matsue

Matsue is a quiet, peaceful, and pretty town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Beijing and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Matsue?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Matsue, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Beijing is more touristy than Matsue 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. Matsue is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Beijing different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Beijing are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Matsue. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

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

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Matsue has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Is Beijing or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party 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.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Beijing or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

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

Matsue offers a nice historic old town area. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Matsue?

Beijing is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Beijing is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Beijing or Matsue Better for Families?

Both Beijing and Matsue are good 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.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Beijing or Matsue Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Matsue are good 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.

Matsue is a nice destination for couples. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Beijing or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Beijing is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

Is Beijing or Matsue Better for Students?

Beijing is a great destination for students. However, Matsue is not popular with 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.

Matsue is not popular with students.

Is Beijing or Matsue 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 Matsue.

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 Matsue. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

Is Beijing or Matsue a more walkable city?

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

Matsue is a very walkable destination. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

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 Matsue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Matsue?

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

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

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

Beijing is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Matsue, you'll find museums and food. 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 Matsue?

Beijing is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Matsue, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Matsue has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Matsue?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Matsue 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 Matsue?

Beijing is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Matsue. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Matsue. 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Matsue, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Matsue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Matsue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Matsue 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing than you might in Matsue.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Matsue?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Matsue, 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 Matsue?

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 Matsue in the Summer?

Both Matsue and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

In July, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Matsue. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Matsue. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Beijing. In July, Beijing usually receives less rain than Matsue. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Matsue in the Autumn?

Both Matsue and Beijing during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Beijing is cooler than Matsue in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Matsue. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Matsue in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Matsue. Many travelers come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Matsue in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun in the winter.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Matsue. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Matsue in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Matsue. Many visitors come to Beijing in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Matsue for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Matsue. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Matsue. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Beijing