Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen 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.
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $78. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Xiamen and Beijing in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Beijing? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Xiamen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen 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.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Beijing and Xiamen during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Beijing in the summer. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. Xiamen usually gets less rain in July than Beijing. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Beijing. 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, Xiamen is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Xiamen in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (56°F).
In October, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Beijing. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Beijing. 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, Xiamen is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).
Xiamen usually gets more rain in January than Beijing. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Beijing and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Beijing in the spring. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 20°C (69°F) in April, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. In April, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Beijing. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Xiamen | Beijing | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |