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

Should you visit Pattaya 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 Pattaya 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.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a vibrant, high energy, and colorful resort city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

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. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pattaya and Beijing: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Beijing?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Pattaya, 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 Pattaya is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Pattaya is popular for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Beijing 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.

How is Pattaya different from Beijing?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Beijing is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its sights and museums.

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 Pattaya. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

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

Beijing is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Dining out in Pattaya is an experience not to be missed. Street food is what this city is all about. You'll find streets lined with restaurants, but you'll also find snacks and other culinary treats at every corner. Khao Gaeng (curried rice with meat or vegetables), Kai Jeow (omelet over rice), and Moo Ping (grilled pork) are among the favorites.

Is Pattaya or Beijing Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Pattaya is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Despite a promotional campaign to promote family vacations, this city still holds tight to its party hard reputation. You'll find live bands, international DJs, and rooftop parties any night of the week.

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 Pattaya or Beijing Better for Resorts?

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

In Pattaya, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. If you're looking for built-up, all-the-frills, beach resorts, then this is your place. It's a touristy beach city with hotels are resorts that line the waterfront.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Beijing Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a resort 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 Pattaya. There are snorkeling and dive excursions that leave from town, or you could throw on a mask and snorkel and look for marine life right off the beach.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Beijing Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Pattaya attract visitors from all over. There are countless white sand beaches in the area that range from party-focused, to romantic, to family-friendly. The blue waters and silky sand have long made this one of the most popular beach areas in Thailand.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Beijing?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Beijing both offer plenty of great spots.

Pattaya is well-known for its shopping. The city is filled with markets, malls, bazaars, and street vendors that sells everything from clothes and bathing suits, to Thai crafts or local foods.

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.

Is Pattaya or Beijing Better for Families?

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

Pattaya is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the amusement parks, water parks, and cultural parks. Highlights for families include Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, Ramayana Water Park, and Mini Siam. For something totally unique, check out the ice sculptures at Frost Magical Ice of Siam and for something cultural and fun you can head to Legend Siam Pattaya. Despite local efforts to promote family-friendly activities, it's important to remember that the city does still has a party town reputation. There are areas that you should avoid with kids.

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 Pattaya or Beijing Better for Couples?

Both Pattaya and Beijing are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Pattaya makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beach-oriented activities around town like boat rides and water sports. You could also enjoy a spa day or simply lounge on the beach and soak up the sun for the day.

Beijing is a good resort 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.

Is Pattaya or Beijing Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for backpackers.

Many 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Pattaya. While it used to be a party town, these days Pattaya is more of a family destination that's filled with amusement parks and family-friendly resorts. Backpackers will still find hostels and budget accommodation, but that backpacker atmosphere isn't what it used to be.

Is Pattaya or Beijing Better for Students?

Beijing is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Pattaya 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.

Pattaya is not popular with students.

Is Pattaya 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, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its public transit.

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.

Pattaya has a few public transit options. The baht bus (songthaew) is the cheapest way to get around town. These are colorful pickup trucks with seats in the back. There are also motorbike taxis as well as regular taxis.

Is Pattaya or Beijing a more walkable city?

Pattaya and Beijing are decent when it comes to walkability.

Pattaya is generally not a very walkable resort city. There's a walking street, as well as several walkable areas, but the city is relatively large and you'll likely want to catch a ride most places.

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 Pattaya Worth Visiting? and Is Beijing Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beijing or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Beijing?

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

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

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

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

In Pattaya, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This resort city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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 Pattaya or Beijing?

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

Pattaya 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 Pattaya or Beijing?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pattaya. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Pattaya. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, 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 Pattaya and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Pattaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pattaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pattaya 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 Pattaya.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Beijing?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya 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 Pattaya or Beijing?

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

Should I visit Pattaya or Beijing in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Beijing. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.

In the summer, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Beijing. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pattaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Beijing averages at about 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. In the summer, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Beijing. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Beijing. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Beijing in the Autumn?

Both Beijing and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya 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, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Pattaya. In October, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Beijing. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October.

Should I visit Pattaya or Beijing in the Winter?

Both Beijing and Pattaya during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts 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. Pattaya is much warmer than Beijing in the winter. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Beijing. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets more rain in January than Beijing. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Beijing in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Also, most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Pattaya is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pattaya in April average around 30°C (86°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beijing during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Beijing. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.

Typical Weather for Beijing and Pattaya