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

Should you visit Dubai or Beijing?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Beijing can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a opulent, modern, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Beijing

Beijing is a cultural, fascinating, and historic 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Beijing: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Beijing?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Dubai than Beijing. While Beijing is larger than Dubai, Dubai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dubai is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Beijing attracts visitors for its museums and food. Beijing is more touristy than Dubai and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. Dubai is famous for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also well known for Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Beijing?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Beijing Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a city with a few options for winter skiing. However, Beijing is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Dubai for snow skiing. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Beijing is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubai or Beijing?

Beijing is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dubai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

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

Beijing is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Beijing has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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, Dubai makes for a great culinary experience. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

Is Dubai or Beijing Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Dubai is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

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 Dubai or Beijing Better for Music?

Dubai is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Beijing is not a live music destination.

In Dubai you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Beijing is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Beijing Better for Resorts?

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

Dubai is a world class resort vacation destination. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Beijing Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Beijing Better for Beaches?

Dubai 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 Dubai. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Beijing?

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

Dubai is a world class destination for shoppers. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

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 Dubai or Beijing Better for Families?

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

Dubai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

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 Dubai or Beijing Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Beijing are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Dubai is a good city for couples to visit. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

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 Dubai or Beijing Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Beijing Better for Students?

Dubai is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Dubai is a very popular city for students. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Many students visit 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.

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

Beijing is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

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.

Dubai has a few public transit options. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Is Dubai or Beijing a more walkable city?

Dubai and Beijing are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Dubai is generally not a very walkable city. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Beijing or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Beijing?

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

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

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

One day in Dubai or Beijing?

Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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.

In Beijing, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural big city offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dubai or Beijing?

Because Dubai 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. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Beijing?

Dubai 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 Dubai has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Beijing is a fun place to experience. In Beijing, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this big city destination offers. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Dubai or Beijing?

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

In Beijing, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this massive big city offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, 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 Dubai and Beijing, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Beijing is in Asia, 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai 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 Dubai Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Beijing?

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

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

Should I visit Dubai or Beijing in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Beijing. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is a little warmer than Beijing in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite rainy in Beijing. Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Beijing. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Beijing in the Autumn?

Both Beijing and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Dubai is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Beijing. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dubai or Beijing in the Winter?

Both Beijing and Dubai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Beijing can be very cold. In January, Dubai is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

Dubai usually gets more rain in January than Beijing. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Beijing in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.

Dubai is much warmer than Beijing in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Beijing. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Beijing and Dubai