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

Should you visit Beijing or Ottawa?

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 Ottawa 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. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Beijing and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Ottawa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing than Ottawa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Beijing is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also well known for The Forbidden City. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Beijing different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Beijing has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Many visitors head to Ottawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

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

Beijing is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Ottawa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Is Beijing or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Beijing has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Ottawa?

Beijing is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Ottawa is a great destination for shopping. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Beijing or Ottawa Better for Families?

Both Beijing and Ottawa are nice 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.

Ottawa offers lots of family activities. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Is Beijing or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Ottawa are nice 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.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

Is Beijing or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Ottawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Beijing or Ottawa Better for Students?

Beijing is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Ottawa is popular with students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

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

Beijing is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Beijing can get you to most places 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.

You'll find some public transit in Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Beijing or Ottawa a more walkable city?

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

Ottawa is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

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 Ottawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Ottawa?

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

Families should spend more time in Beijing than Ottawa. 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 Beijing than Ottawa. 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa?

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 Ottawa, you'll find museums and food. 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 Ottawa?

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 Ottawa, 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 Ottawa has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Ottawa?

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.

Ottawa 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 Ottawa?

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 Ottawa. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Ottawa. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Ottawa?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?

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 Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Ottawa. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Beijing is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Beijing is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Ottawa can be very cold. Beijing can be very cold during winter. In January, Beijing is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Ottawa. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Ottawa. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Beijing is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Beijing