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China
South Korea
Area Comparison
Beijing is 27.1x larger than Seoul
Population Comparison
Beijing has 2.2x more people than Seoul
Beijing is significantly larger, covering 27.1 times the area of Seoul. Beijing spans 16,411 km² (6,336 mi²) while Seoul covers 605 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 15,806 km². You could fit Seoul inside Beijing approximately 27 times.
To put Beijing's size in perspective, its area of 16,411 km² is about 2.6x the size of Shanghai. Meanwhile, Seoul at 605 km² is about 1.3x smaller than New York City.
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
Capital of South Korea and a major tech hub. Often called "The Soul of Asia", Seoul has an area of 605 km² and is home to 9.8 million people. The city dates back to 18 BC. Visitors come for Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gangnam district, K-pop culture, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Seoul Metro.
Seoul's metro area contains nearly half of South Korea's entire population
Looking beyond city limits, the Beijing metropolitan area covers 16,411 km², which is 1.4x larger than greater Seoul at 11,704 km². The Seoul metro area is also more populous, with 25.5 million people compared to 21.5 million.
Beijing has a population density of 1,313 people per km² — a relatively spread-out city. Seoul, with 16,149 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Seoul is dramatically more crowded, with 12.3x the population density.
Both cities are in Asia, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Beijing (China) and Seoul (South Korea) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
Both cities share a humid continental climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each.
Size Ratio
Seoul fits inside Beijing ~27 times
Density Gap
Seoul is 12.3x more densely populated
History
Beijing is ~1,027 years older
The straight-line distance from Beijing to Seoul is 952 km (592 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~1h 37m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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