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

Should you visit Beijing or Nagano?

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 Nagano 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nagano

Nagano is a historic, traditional, and alpine city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Beijing and Nagano: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Nagano?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Nagano, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Nagano is known for its skiing, resorts, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Beijing is more touristy than Nagano and 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. Nagano is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.

How is Beijing different from Nagano?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nagano and Beijing. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Beijing or Nagano Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Beijing is not a skiing destination.

Nagano is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Beijing is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Beijing or Nagano?

Beijing is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

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

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

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.

Dining out in Nagano is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Is Beijing or Nagano Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Nagano 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 Nagano has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

Is Beijing or Nagano Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a city with good options for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Beijing or Nagano Better for its Old Town?

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

Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is Beijing or Nagano Better for Hiking?

Nagano 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 Nagano. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Nagano?

Beijing is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Beijing or Nagano Better for Families?

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

Nagano is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

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 Nagano Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Nagano 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.

Nagano is a nice destination for couples. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Beijing or Nagano Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Beijing. 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 Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Beijing or Nagano Better for Students?

Beijing is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Nagano is a good city to visit for students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

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

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

The public transit in Beijing can get you around easily. 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.

Nagano has a few public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Beijing or Nagano a more walkable city?

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

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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 Nagano Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagano or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Nagano?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Beijing and Nagano. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than in Nagano. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 1-3 days is enough time in Nagano.

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

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

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

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 Nagano, you'll find shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Beijing or Nagano?

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 Nagano, you'll find museums and skiing. 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 Nagano has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Nagano?

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.

Nagano 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 Nagano?

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 Nagano. Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Nagano. 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, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Beijing and Nagano, we can see that Nagano 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 Nagano Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Nagano?

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

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 Nagano in the Summer?

Both Nagano and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.

In July, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Nagano. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Nagano. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 136 hours of full sun.

Nagano 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 Nagano. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Nagano in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Nagano. 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 Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Beijing is cooler than Nagano in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Nagano fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Nagano. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Nagano in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Nagano. Many travelers come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Nagano in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nagano can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Nagano. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Nagano averages at about 2°C (36°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nagano. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nagano. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 212 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Nagano. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Nagano in the Spring?

Both Nagano and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beijing in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 191 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Nagano. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nagano and Beijing