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

Should you visit Beijing or Portland?

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 Portland 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. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Portland

Portland is a tree-lined, nature-filled, and scenic city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Beijing and Portland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Portland?

You'll generally find more things to do in Beijing than Portland. Beijing is bigger than Portland, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Beijing is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Portland is more popular for its music, hiking, and small town charm. Beijing is more touristy than Portland 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. Portland is well known for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty.

How is Beijing different from Portland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is very popular for its museums and history. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Portland offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Visitors usually come for the city's outdoor recreation and eclectic personality more than the landmarks and museums. There are a few places to visit on a rainy day though including Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

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

Beijing is very popular for its restaurants. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Portland. The town is more famous for it's craft beer than it's food, but there are still a number of local restaurants that offer unique Oregon dishes. You'll find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan options on most menus. There is also a big farm-to-table scene with many farmers markets around town as well.

Is Beijing or Portland Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Portland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.

Is Beijing or Portland Better for Music?

Portland is a city with good options for its music scene. However, Beijing is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Portland. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Beijing is not a live music destination.

Is Beijing or Portland Better for Hiking?

Portland 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 Portland. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Portland?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Portland offers some nice shopping areas. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.

Is Beijing or Portland Better for Families?

Both Beijing and Portland are notable 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.

Portland offers lots of family activities. This is an outdoor city by nature, so families will appreciate the many parks and outdoor recreational activities around town. It's easy to fill a couple of days exploring and having fun with the kids. Kid-friendly activities include the zoo, the aerial tram, and several great museums.

Is Beijing or Portland Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Portland are notable 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.

Portland is a nice destination for couples. The laid-back, alternative vibe is fun to explore as a couple. There are independent bookstores, nice parks, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Couples who enjoy an eclectic city, breweries, and nature, will find a lot to do in town.

Is Beijing or Portland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing and Portland are great 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.

Portland is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.

Is Beijing or Portland Better for Students?

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

Portland is popular with students. It's a young and relaxed city that attracts independent thinkers. There are many bookstores and breweries around town. The cost of living can be a bit high though.

Is Beijing or Portland 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, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors to Beijing can move around easily with public transportation. 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 Portland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

Is Beijing or Portland a more walkable city?

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

Portland is a very walkable destination. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

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 Portland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Portland?

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

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

Beijing is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Portland, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Portland?

Beijing is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Portland, you'll find nightlife and live music. 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 Portland has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Portland?

Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Portland 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 Portland?

Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beijing has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Portland. 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Portland?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Portland. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Portland, 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 Portland?

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 Portland in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Portland. The summer months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Portland this time of year.

In the summer, Beijing is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Portland averages at about 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Portland. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun.

Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Portland. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Portland in the Autumn?

Both Portland and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Portland for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Portland. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Portland during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Portland. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Portland in the Winter?

Both Portland and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Portland in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Portland can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Beijing. Beijing is much colder than Portland in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Portland. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun.

Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Portland. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Portland in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Portland. Many visitors come to Beijing in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Beijing is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Portland averages at about 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Portland during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Portland. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Portland and Beijing