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

Should you visit Beijing or Seattle?

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 Seattle 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 fascinating, historic, and massive 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.

Seattle

Seattle is a bustling, progressive, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, theater, and nightlife.

Beijing and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Seattle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing than Seattle. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Beijing is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Seattle attracts visitors for its theatre productions, music, beaches, and hiking. Beijing is more touristy than Seattle 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. Seattle is famous for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies.

How is Beijing different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Beijing or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a city with good options for its shows and theatre. However, Beijing is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Beijing is not a theatre destination.

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

Beijing is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Beijing is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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 Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Beijing or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Seattle 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 Seattle has something for everybody. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Beijing or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a great destination for its music scene. However, Beijing is not a live music destination.

Seattle has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Beijing is not a live music destination.

Is Beijing or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a city with good options for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle 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 Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Seattle?

Beijing is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city 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 Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Beijing or Seattle Better for Families?

Both Beijing and Seattle 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.

Seattle offers lots of family activities. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Beijing or Seattle Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Seattle 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Beijing or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Beijing or Seattle Better for Students?

Beijing and Seattle are high quality 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 Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

Beijing is notable for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Beijing or Seattle a more walkable city?

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

Seattle is a very walkable destination. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Seattle?

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

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

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

Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Seattle, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Seattle?

Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

In Seattle, you'll find shopping and museums. 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 Seattle has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Seattle?

Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beijing has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Seattle 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 Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Seattle. 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 from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Seattle?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Beijing or Seattle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Seattle. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Beijing is a little warmer than Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Seattle. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Seattle. The autumn months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In the autumn, Beijing is around the same temperature as Seattle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Seattle averages at about 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Seattle. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Beijing is a little warmer than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Beijing