Beijing vs Nairobi - City Size Comparison

Is Beijing Bigger Than Nairobi?

Yes — Beijing is 23.6x larger than Nairobi by area. Beijing spans 16,411 km² (6,336 mi²) while Nairobi covers 696 km² (269 mi²) — a difference of 15,715 km². You could fit Nairobi inside Beijing approximately 23 times.

About Beijing

China's capital and political center. Known as "The Northern Capital", Beijing covers 16,411 km² with a population of 21.5 million. The city was founded around 1045 BC. Beijing is known for The Forbidden City, Great Wall of China, Temple of Heaven, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Beijing Subway.

Beijing's administrative area of 16,411 km² makes it larger than many small countries

About Nairobi

Kenya's capital and East Africa's largest city. Often called "The Green City in the Sun", Nairobi has an area of 696 km² and is home to 4.7 million people. The city dates back to 1899. Visitors come for Nairobi National Park, Safari tourism, Karen Blixen Museum, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Nairobi Commuter Rail.

Nairobi is the only capital city in the world with a national park within its borders — you can see lions with skyscrapers in the background

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Beijing metropolitan area covers 16,411 km², which is 23.6x larger than greater Nairobi at 696 km². The Beijing metro area is also more populous, with 21.5 million people compared to 4.7 million.

Population Density

Beijing has a population density of 1,313 people per km² — a relatively spread-out city. Nairobi, with 6,796 people per km², is a densely populated city. Nairobi is dramatically more crowded, with 5.2x the population density.

Climate & Time Zone

Beijing has a humid continental climate while Nairobi experiences subtropical highland conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Nairobi stays around 17°C while Beijing drops to -3°C. When it's noon in Beijing, it's 7:00 AM in Nairobi — a 5-hour time difference.