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

Should you visit Koh Lipe 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 Koh Lipe and Beijing can help you decide which place is right for you.

Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is a tranquil, idyllic, and small island. The famous beauty of Koh Lipe is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and food. See Koh Lipe travel costs.

Beijing

Beijing is a cultural, fascinating, and historic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Beijing travel costs.

Koh Lipe and Beijing: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lipe or Beijing?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Beijing than Koh Lipe, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Beijing is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Lipe is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Beijing is more touristy than Koh Lipe and is known for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. Also, Beijing is famous for The Forbidden City. Koh Lipe is well known for its world class scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as its small and local atmosphere.

How is Koh Lipe different from Beijing?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Beijing is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Beijing that are not to be missed. 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 Lipe. The island is small and all about beaches and the undersea world, so you won't find any temples or museums here.

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

Beijing is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koh Lipe is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Koh Lipe has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's enough of a restaurant selection that you'll find good local food and freshly caught seafood. The options change frequently as the tourist crowds have varied dramatically over the years, making it difficult for businesses to stay open.

Is Koh Lipe or Beijing Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is a great destination for nightlife. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koh Lipe This is a small island that attracts tourists who want nature, beauty, and a serene and tranquil environment. You won't find much of a nightlife scene here.

Is Koh Lipe or Beijing Better for Resorts?

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

In Koh Lipe, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a number of locally owned hotels on the island. Many have snorkeling gear for rent.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Lipe is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Lipe is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. Although it is no longer the undiscovered island paradise that it once was, the snorkeling and diving on Koh Lipe remains some of the best in the country.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Beijing Better for Beaches?

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

Koh Lipe is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Despite the island's small size, the beaches are truly spectacular. They have white sand and the undersea world is just steps away, so don't forget your mask and snorkel.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Beijing Better for Hiking?

Koh Lipe 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 Lipe. The island of Koh Lipe doesn't have any hiking, but nearby Adang Island has some impressive hikes that offer views and small waterfalls. You can take a longtail boat for just a short ride to the nearby island.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lipe or Beijing?

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

Beijing is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Lipe has some nice offerings. The Walking Street is the main street through the island. Its where you'll find the island's shops and restaurants. Most are closed during the morning hours, but people begin to gather in the afternoon.

Is Koh Lipe or Beijing More Beautiful?

Koh Lipe 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 Lipe is one of the main draws. Many visitors consider this to be one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand. It still holds on to that undiscovered quality and the nearby national park offers excellent nature to explore.

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 Lipe or Beijing Better for Families?

Koh Lipe 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 Lipe is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a perfect island to explore with kids. There are beautiful beaches, great snorkeling, and plenty of opportunities to check out wildlife. Your kids will also enjoy seeing the Sea la vie fire show.

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 Lipe or Beijing Better for Couples?

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

Koh Lipe is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its stunning beaches and beautiful nature, this is a great couple's destination. The island has wonderful snorkeling and white sandy beaches that are perfect for exploring with a loved one.

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 Lipe or Beijing Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koh Lipe is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Koh Lipe. The island has become more popular than it was in years past, but it still offers a tranquil setting for those who are a bit jaded by the backpacker scene in Thailand.

Is Koh Lipe or Beijing Better for Students?

Beijing is a great destination for students. However, Koh Lipe is not popular with students.

Beijing is very popular with students. 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 Lipe is not popular with students.

Is Koh Lipe 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 Lipe is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Beijing can move around easily with public transportation. 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 Koh Lipe. There are longtail boats, motorbike taxis, and golf cart taxis that you can hire.

Is Koh Lipe or Beijing a more walkable city?

Koh Lipe is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Koh Lipe is a very walkable destination. It's an easy island to explore on foot and you can walk from one end of the island to the other in about half an hour.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable island. 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 Koh Lipe Worth Visiting? and Is Beijing Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beijing or Koh Lipe?

How long in Koh Lipe or Beijing?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Lipe than Beijing. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koh Lipe 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 Lipe 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 Lipe or Beijing?

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

Beijing is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Koh Lipe or Beijing?

In Koh Lipe, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Beijing is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Koh Lipe or Beijing?

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

Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Koh Lipe or Beijing?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Lipe. In Koh Lipe, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beijing has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors 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 Koh Lipe and Beijing, we can see that Koh Lipe is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Koh Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe 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 Koh Lipe Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe or Beijing?

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

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Beijing in the Summer?

Both Beijing and Koh Lipe are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koh Lipe is generally around the same temperature as Beijing. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (81°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

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

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Beijing in the Autumn?

Both Beijing and Koh Lipe during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts 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.

Koh Lipe is much warmer than Beijing in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in October than Beijing. Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Koh Lipe. May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Beijing in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round. 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 the winter, Koh Lipe is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Lipe in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Beijing averages at about -4°C (26°F).

In January, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Beijing. Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Beijing in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Beijing. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.

In April, Koh Lipe is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 29°C (85°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

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

Typical Weather for Beijing and Koh Lipe