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

Should you visit Da Nang or Beijing?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Da Nang or Beijing? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Da Nang

Da Nang is a coastal, accessible, and authentic city. Other popular activities here include beaches, museums, and nightlife.

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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Da Nang and Beijing: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Beijing?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Da Nang, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Da Nang is known for its resorts and beaches. Beijing is more touristy than Da Nang and is known for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also home to The Forbidden City. Da Nang is popular for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Beijing?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beijing and Da Nang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Da Nang or Beijing?

Beijing is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Beijing are among the most recognizable in the world. 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 Da Nang. Some people use this city as a base for exploring other nearby towns. While it has some interesting sights, there aren't nearly as much history as in the surrounding area. The Golden Bridge Hands has become a popular tourist attraction and the nearby Marble Mountains are also a highlight. You can also check out the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

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

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

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.

Da Nang has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's local cuisine is authentic and traditional. There are many local dishes to try such as Mi Quang (rice noodles and chicken), Bun Cha Ca (rice noodles and fish cakes), and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (pork belly wrapped in rice paper).

Is Da Nang or Beijing Better for Nightlife?

Both Da Nang and Beijing are excellent when it comes to partying.

Da Nang offers plenty to do in the evening. There are rooftop cafes, lounges, and local bars that are cheap and stay open late. You'll find a good number of places along Bach Dang Street, which turns into a walking street at 7 pm.

Beijing has a large number of nightlife venues. 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 Da Nang or Beijing Better for Resorts?

Da Nang is a great destination for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

In Da Nang, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Da Nang or Beijing Better for Beaches?

Da Nang 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 Da Nang. There are beaches within a 10 minute drive of the city, which can get crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a more peaceful experience, you'll need to go to Son Tra Peninsula, which is where you'll find most of the luxury resorts.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Beijing?

Beijing is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its shopping areas.

Beijing is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Da Nang has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

Is Da Nang or Beijing Better for Families?

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

Da Nang is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities in the area. Amusement parks like Asia Park Da Nang and nearby Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park are fun for everyone. There are also beaches and beachfront resorts that aren't far from town.

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 Da Nang or Beijing Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Da Nang frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

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 Da Nang or Beijing Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Beijing is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Da Nang is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's often skipped by backpackers and other tourists, but those who hang out for a day or two will appreciate an authentic city with genuine Vietnamese culture.

Is Da Nang or Beijing Better for Students?

Beijing is a well-known place for students. However, Da Nang is not popular with 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.

Da Nang is not popular with students.

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

Beijing is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Beijing can get you around 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.

Da Nang has some public transit options. There are 14 bus routes in the city.

Is Da Nang or Beijing a more walkable city?

Beijing is a moderate city for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Beijing is generally not very walkable. 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.

Da Nang is not a very walkable city. The city is very spread out and very difficult to explore on foot. There are some beachfront promenades that are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Da Nang Worth Visiting? and Is Beijing Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beijing or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Beijing?

Both Da Nang and Beijing have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than in Da Nang. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Da Nang, and 3-7 days is enough time in Beijing.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beijing than Da Nang 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 Da Nang or Beijing?

In Da Nang, you'll find museums and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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.

A weekend in Da Nang or Beijing?

In Da Nang, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Da Nang has to offer.

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.

Five days in Da Nang or Beijing?

Da Nang is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

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.

A week in Da Nang or Beijing?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Da Nang. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Da Nang. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Da Nang and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Da Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Da Nang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Da Nang 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing than you might in Da Nang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Da Nang Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Beijing?

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

Beijing has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Da Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Da Nang or Beijing in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Da Nang and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Da Nang year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Da Nang is around the same temperature as Beijing. Typically, the summer temperatures in Da Nang in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Beijing averages at about 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In Da Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Da Nang usually receives more sunshine than Beijing during summer. Da Nang gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Da Nang usually receives less rain than Beijing. Da Nang gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. January to July in Da Nang is the dry season. Also, August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Beijing in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Da Nang as well as Beijing. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, 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.

In October, Da Nang is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 25°C (78°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. In the autumn, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Da Nang gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun.

Da Nang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Da Nang usually gets more rain in October than Beijing. Da Nang gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year. August to December in Da Nang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Da Nang or Beijing in the Winter?

Both Beijing and Da Nang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.

It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. Da Nang is much warmer than Beijing in the winter. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. Da Nang usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during winter. Da Nang gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Da Nang. In January, Da Nang usually receives more rain than Beijing. Da Nang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Da Nang is January to July.

Should I visit Da Nang or Beijing in the Spring?

Both Beijing and Da Nang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Da Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Da Nang is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the spring temperatures in Da Nang in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Da Nang. In the spring, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Da Nang gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun.

Da Nang usually gets more rain in April than Beijing. Da Nang gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Beijing and Da Nang