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

Should you visit Beijing or Rotterdam?

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 Rotterdam 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a high energy, modern, and trendy port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Beijing and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Rotterdam?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing than Rotterdam. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Beijing is more touristy than Rotterdam 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. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Beijing different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

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.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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

Beijing is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and 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.

Rotterdam offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Beijing or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam has something for everybody. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Rotterdam?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rotterdam and Beijing.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Is Beijing or Rotterdam Better for Families?

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

Rotterdam is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

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 Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Beijing or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Beijing or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Beijing and Rotterdam are very good places to visit 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.

Many students visit Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Is Beijing or Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam.

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 Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Is Beijing or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

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

Rotterdam is a very walkable destination. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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 Rotterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Rotterdam?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Beijing than Rotterdam. 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Rotterdam, you'll find nightlife and food. This port 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 Rotterdam?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Rotterdam, 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 Rotterdam has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Rotterdam?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam?

Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotterdam. 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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Rotterdam?

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

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 Rotterdam in the Summer?

Both Rotterdam and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Beijing is much warmer than Rotterdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Rotterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Rotterdam. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Rotterdam. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Beijing is a little warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Rotterdam in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Rotterdam. Many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rotterdam can be very cold during winter. Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Rotterdam. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Rotterdam in the Spring?

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

Beijing is much warmer than Rotterdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Beijing