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

Should you visit Beijing or Sendai?

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 Sendai 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. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Sendai

Sendai is a high energy, vibrant, and cosmopolitan city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Beijing and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Sendai?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Sendai, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its museums, food, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Sendai is known for its beaches. Beijing is more touristy than Sendai and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also home to The Forbidden City. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August.

How is Beijing different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Beijing are world-renowned. 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 Sendai. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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

Beijing is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Beijing or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Sendai 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 Sendai has something for everybody. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

Is Beijing or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Sendai 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 Sendai. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Sendai?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Sendai 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 Sendai. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

Is Beijing or Sendai Better for Families?

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

Sendai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

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 Sendai Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Sendai are good 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.

Sendai is a nice destination for couples. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Beijing or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many 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.

Sendai is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

Is Beijing or Sendai Better for Students?

Beijing is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sendai is not popular with students.

Beijing is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Sendai is not popular with students.

Is Beijing or Sendai 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 Sendai.

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 Sendai. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Is Beijing or Sendai a more walkable city?

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

Sendai is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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 Sendai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Sendai?

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

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

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

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 Sendai, you'll find nightlife 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai, 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 Sendai has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Sendai?

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.

Sendai 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sendai. 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Sendai, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Sendai?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Sendai. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Sendai. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Sendai in the Autumn?

Both Sendai and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

Beijing is around the same temperature as Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Sendai. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Sendai. It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Sendai. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Sendai in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Sendai. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Sendai. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Beijing