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

Should you visit Beijing or Wellington?

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 Wellington 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 jam-packed, cultural, and fascinating 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Beijing and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Wellington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Wellington, 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 Wellington is known for its beaches and hiking. Beijing is more touristy than Wellington 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. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Beijing different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Beijing is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Wellington 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Beijing is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Beijing is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Dining out in Wellington is an experience not to be missed. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Beijing or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Wellington 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 Wellington has something for everybody. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Beijing or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a great destination for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Wellington attract visitors from all over. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Wellington Better for Hiking?

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

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Wellington?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Wellington 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 Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Beijing or Wellington Better for Families?

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

Wellington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

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 Wellington Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Wellington 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.

Wellington is a nice destination for couples. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Beijing or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing and Wellington are excellent 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.

Wellington is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Beijing or Wellington Better for Students?

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

Beijing is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Is Beijing or Wellington 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 Wellington.

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 Wellington. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Is Beijing or Wellington a more walkable city?

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

Wellington is a very walkable destination. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Wellington?

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

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

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

One day in Beijing or Wellington?

When visiting Beijing, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Wellington, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Wellington?

When visiting Beijing, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Wellington, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wellington has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Wellington?

Beijing, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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 Wellington?

Beijing is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Wellington?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Wellington, 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 Wellington?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Wellington. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Wellingtonin January. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wellington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin January. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun.

Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Beijing is around the same temperature as Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin April. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Beijing can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin July. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun.

Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Wellington. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

In April, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Wellingtonin October. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin October. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Beijing