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

Should you visit Beijing or Picton?

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 Picton 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 massive, jam-packed, and cultural 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Picton

Picton is a relaxing, picturesque, and scenic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking.

Beijing and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Picton?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing. Although Beijing and Picton are popular destinations, Beijing has more sights and attractions for tourists. Beijing is very popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Picton attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Beijing is more touristy than Picton and is known 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. Picton is famous for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails.

How is Beijing different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

Beijing is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Beijing, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Picton. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Beijing or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

Beijing offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Beijing or Picton Better for Beaches?

Picton is a great destination for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Picton attract visitors from all over. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton 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 Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Picton?

Beijing is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Beijing or Picton Better for Families?

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

Picton is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

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 Picton Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Picton frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

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 Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing and Picton are very good 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.

Picton is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Is Beijing or Picton Better for Students?

Beijing is a well-known place for students. However, Picton is not popular with students.

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.

Picton is not popular with students.

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

Beijing is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Picton has some public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Beijing or Picton a more walkable city?

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

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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 Picton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Picton or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Beijing or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Beijing than Picton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 1-2 days is enough time in Picton.

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

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

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

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 Picton, you'll find museums and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town 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 Picton?

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

Five days in Beijing or Picton?

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.

Picton is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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 Picton?

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 Picton. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Picton. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Picton?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 2490 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Picton, 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 Picton?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Picton is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Beijing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Beijing or Picton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Picton. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Beijing is a little warmer than Picton in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Pictonin January. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Picton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Picton. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Beijing is around the same temperature as Picton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Picton averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Pictonin April. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Pictonin July. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Picton. In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Pictonin July. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Picton in the Spring?

Both Picton and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches and the small town charm.

Beijing is around the same temperature as Picton in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Pictonin October. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Picton and Beijing