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

Should you visit Beijing or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise 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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a high energy, thrilling, and active city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Beijing and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Surfers Paradise?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing. Although Beijing and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations, Beijing has more sights and attractions for tourists. Beijing is very popular for its museums, food, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Surfers Paradise attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping. Beijing is famous 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. Surfers Paradise is famous for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports.

How is Beijing different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Surfers Paradise. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

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

Beijing is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Surfers Paradise 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Surfers Paradise makes for a great culinary experience. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

Is Beijing or Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Surfers Paradise is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

The nightlife in Beijing has something for everybody. 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.

Is Beijing or Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

Surfers Paradise is a world class resort vacation destination. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Beijing or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Surfers Paradise is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Beijing or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

Surfers Paradise is considered to be a world-class beach destination. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Surfers Paradise is a city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Surfers Paradise. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Surfers Paradise is a world class destination for shoppers. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

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.

Is Beijing or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Surfers Paradise is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Surfers Paradise frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Surfers Paradise is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Beijing is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Is Beijing or Surfers Paradise Better for Students?

Beijing is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise is not popular with students.

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

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.

You'll find some public transit in Surfers Paradise, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Beijing or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Surfers Paradise is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Surfers Paradise is a somewhat walkable city. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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 Surfers Paradise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Surfers Paradise?

Both Beijing and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Surfers Paradise has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Surfers Paradise than Beijing. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Beijing 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Beijing or Surfers Paradise?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Surfers Paradise, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Surfers Paradise?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

In Surfers Paradise, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Beijing or Surfers Paradise?

Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Surfers Paradise is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Surfers Paradise has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or Surfers Paradise?

Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surfers Paradise. In Surfers Paradise, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Surfers Paradise?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 400 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

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

Beijing is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein January. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Surfers Paradisein January. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

Both Surfers Paradise 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 hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In the autumn, Beijing is much colder than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradise during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

Both Surfers Paradise 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Surfers Paradisein July. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein July. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

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

Beijing is cooler than Surfers Paradise in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Beijing