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

Should you visit Hat Yai or Beijing?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Beijing 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.

Hat Yai

Hat Yai is a lively, festive, and colorful city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Hat Yai travel costs.

Beijing

Beijing is a historic, massive, and jam-packed city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Beijing travel costs.

Hat Yai and Beijing: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hat Yai or Beijing?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing than Hat Yai. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Beijing is more touristy than Hat Yai and is known 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. Hat Yai is famous for its local markets, its traditional restaurants, and its colorful temples.

How is Hat Yai different from Beijing?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hat Yai or Beijing?

Beijing is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Beijing on the map. 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.

Hat Yai is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has many temples to explore such as Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol and Wat Hat Yai Nai.

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

Both Hat Yai and Beijing offer a number of world-class restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Hat Yai have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Eating is really what you do in this city. There is amazing street food, impressive floating restaurants, and authentic cuisine that locals and visitors alike enjoy. The dishes include lots of seafood and some Chinese influences.

Eat your way through Beijing, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Hat Yai or Beijing Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Beijing has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Hat Yai. It's a big city, so there are plenty of clubs and bars where you can party late into the night.

Is the Shopping Better in Hat Yai or Beijing?

Both Hat Yai and Beijing are great shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hat Yai. It's a large commercial hub in southern Thailand and many visitors come specifically for the shopping. There are many markets in town and places to buy everything from local products to trendy clothes.

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 Hat Yai or Beijing More Beautiful?

Beijing is a city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Hat Yai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.

Hat Yai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hat Yai or Beijing Better for Families?

Beijing is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Beijing is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Hat Yai is not always a place people visit with their families. There are some play places for the kids and kid-friendly meals are available in many places. There are also some animal farms and parks near town where kids and adults can enjoy a natural setting.

Is Hat Yai or Beijing Better for Couples?

Beijing is a city with good options for couples. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for romance.

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.

Hat Yai is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Most people pass through the city on their way to other places, but if you chose to linger you'll enjoy amazing food and some interesting activities around town.

Is Hat Yai or Beijing Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is notable for backpackers. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city 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.

Hat Yai is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are hostels in the city, as well as cheap hotels, but the backpacker vibe isn't the same as what you get in other Thai cities. If you want more authenticity, then this is your place.

Is Hat Yai or Beijing Better for Students?

Beijing is notable for students. However, Hat Yai is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Hat Yai is not popular with students.

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

Beijing is notable for its public transit. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Beijing. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hat Yai. The easiest and cheapest way to get around is by tuk tuk or motorbike taxi.

Is Hat Yai or Beijing a more walkable city?

Hat Yai and Beijing both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Hat Yai is generally not very walkable. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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 Hat Yai Worth Visiting? and Is Beijing Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beijing or Hat Yai?

How long in Hat Yai or Beijing?

Both Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hat Yai, and 3-7 days is enough time in Beijing.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beijing than Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai or Beijing?

In Hat Yai, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 Hat Yai or Beijing?

In Hat Yai, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai or Beijing?

Hat Yai 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.

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 Hat Yai or Beijing?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hat Yai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hat Yai. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, 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 Hat Yai and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai.

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

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Beijing?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai or Beijing?

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

Should I visit Hat Yai or Beijing in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.

Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Beijing in the summer. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during summer. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Beijing. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Beijing in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Beijing. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Hat Yai is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hat Yai in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. In the autumn, Hat Yai often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun.

Hat Yai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in October than Beijing. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year. May to December in Hat Yai is the rainy season.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Beijing in the Winter?

Both Beijing and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Beijing during winter. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In January, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Beijing. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Hat Yai is January to April.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Beijing in the Spring?

Both Beijing and Hat Yai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Hat Yai is much warmer than Beijing in the spring. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 30°C (85°F) in April, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hat Yai. In the spring, Hat Yai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beijing. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun.

Hat Yai usually gets more rain in April than Beijing. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year. January to April is the dry season in Hat Yai. May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.

Typical Weather for Beijing and Hat Yai