A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Lanta vs. Beijing for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta 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.

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a tranquil, peaceful, and quiet island. The famous beauty of Koh Lanta is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Koh Lanta travel costs.

Beijing

Beijing is a historic, massive, and jam-packed city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Beijing is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Beijing travel costs.

Koh Lanta and Beijing: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lanta or Beijing?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing. Although Koh Lanta and Beijing are both popular with visitors, Beijing has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Beijing is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Lanta is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Beijing is more touristy than Koh Lanta 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. Koh Lanta is popular for it's long and sandy beaches, its idyllic paradise atmosphere, and its beautiful national park.

How is Koh Lanta different from Beijing?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Lanta or Beijing?

Beijing is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

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 to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Lanta. Nature and tranquil beauty are what this island is all about, so you won't find much in the form of museums or temples.

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

Beijing is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Beijing have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Koh Lanta has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are local markets that pop up in different places each day of the week. You may even get to sample deep-fried cicadas or dried fish. If you're looking for a more mainstream flavor, there are also curries and seafood dishes that are often locally caught.

Is Koh Lanta or Beijing Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Koh Lanta has a few options to choose from. This is one of the most chill islands in Thailand, so you won't find the hardcore party scene of some of the more backpacker heavy islands. That doesn't mean you won't find live music or places to hang out any night of the week.

Is Koh Lanta or Beijing Better for Resorts?

Koh Lanta is a great destination for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

In Koh Lanta, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Beijing Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Lanta is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Lanta is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are snorkeling and diving trips that leave from the island daily. It's also possible to snorkel off some of the beaches around the island without organizing a group trip.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Beijing Better for Beaches?

Koh Lanta is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

Koh Lanta is considered to be a world-class beach destination. For a quiet and tranquil beach holiday, this is your spot. You can enjoy long walks along sandy beaches on the north side of the island, and on the south side you'll find dramatic beauty. The most well known beach is Long Beach, which is also the longest on the island.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Beijing Better for Hiking?

Koh Lanta is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Koh Lanta. You'll find hiking trails in Koh Lanta National Park, which is at the southern tip of the island. You'll wander through the jungle, see wildlife, and take in breathtaking views.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lanta or Beijing?

Beijing is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options 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.

Shopping in Koh Lanta can be found for those interested. The island doesn't have the huge tourist crowds of many places in Thailand, so you'll find few shops in the towns. If you need to buy clothes or other items, it's better to go to the mainland.

Is Koh Lanta or Beijing More Beautiful?

Koh Lanta is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Koh Lanta is one of the main draws. It's among Thailand's most beautiful islands and it's not as touristy or built up as some of the more popular areas.

Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. 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.

Is Koh Lanta or Beijing Better for Families?

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

Koh Lanta is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This is among the best island's in Thailand for kids. The waters are calm and the nightlife scene is relaxed. There are hotels that have kiddy pools and some even have kid's clubs. There are also kid-friendly menus at many of the restaurants.

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 Koh Lanta or Beijing Better for Couples?

Koh Lanta is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Koh Lanta is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The laid back vibe offers a bit of romance for couples. The beaches are beautiful and the island isn't as built up as many islands are in Thailand. And while you'll find places to go in the evening near the backpacker areas, most of the island has a chill and relaxed atmosphere.

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 Koh Lanta or Beijing Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Koh Lanta. You'll find backpackers on almost every island in Thailand, but this one is a bit more chill than most. It's not as touristy as most of the country's southern islands, but there are still enough amenities to make it comfortable.

Is Koh Lanta or Beijing Better for Students?

Beijing is a great destination for students. However, Koh Lanta 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.

Koh Lanta is not popular with students.

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

Beijing is a great destination for its public transit. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Beijing can get you to some 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.

Public transit is quite limited in Koh Lanta. There really isn't any public transit on the island. Most visitors hire taxis or rent motorbikes to get around.

Is Koh Lanta or Beijing a more walkable city?

Beijing is a city with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options 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.

Koh Lanta is not a very walkable island. While there are some parts of the island that can be explored on foot, most people get around by motorbike.

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

Should I spend more time in Beijing or Koh Lanta?

How long in Koh Lanta or Beijing?

Both Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lanta, and 3-7 days is enough time in Beijing.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beijing than Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta or Beijing?

In Koh Lanta, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Lanta or Beijing?

In Koh Lanta, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Lanta has to offer.

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Lanta or Beijing?

Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Koh Lanta or Beijing?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Lanta. Many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting Koh Lanta. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in 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 Koh Lanta and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Beijing?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 1230 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta or Beijing?

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

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Beijing in the Summer?

Both Beijing and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.

In the summer, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Beijing. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lanta in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Beijing averages at about 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during summer. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Beijing. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Koh Lanta is June to September.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Beijing in the Autumn?

Both Beijing and Koh Lanta during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Koh Lanta is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Koh Lanta often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in October than Beijing. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Beijing in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. 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. Koh Lanta is much warmer than Beijing in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In Koh Lanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Beijing during winter. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Beijing. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Beijing in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Beijing. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Koh Lanta is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lanta in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Lanta this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Lanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beijing. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun.

Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in April than Beijing. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. June to September in Koh Lanta is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Beijing and Koh Lanta