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China
Australia
Area Comparison
Beijing is 1.3x larger than Sydney
Population Comparison
Beijing has 4.1x more people than Sydney
In terms of area, Beijing is 1.3x the size of Sydney. Beijing spans 16,411 km² (6,336 mi²) while Sydney covers 12,368 km² (4,775 mi²) — a difference of 4,043 km².
To put Beijing's size in perspective, its area of 16,411 km² is about 2.6x the size of Shanghai. Meanwhile, Sydney at 12,368 km² is about 2.0x the size of Shanghai.
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
Australia's largest city, known for the Opera House. Nicknamed "The Harbour City", Sydney has an area of 12,368 km² and is home to 5.3 million people. The city dates back to 1788. Visitors come for Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Sydney Trains.
Sydney's administrative area is so large it stretches from the coast to the Blue Mountains foothills
Looking beyond city limits, the Beijing metropolitan area covers 16,411 km², which is 1.3x larger than greater Sydney at 12,368 km². The Beijing metro area is also more populous, with 21.5 million people compared to 5.3 million.
Beijing has a population density of 1,313 people per km² — a relatively spread-out city. Sydney, with 429 people per km², is a low-density, sprawling urban area. Beijing is dramatically more crowded, with 3.1x the population density.
This comparison spans continents — Beijing in Asia versus Sydney in Oceania. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Beijing has a humid continental climate while Sydney experiences humid subtropical conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Sydney stays around 13°C while Beijing drops to -3°C. When it's noon in Sydney, it's 10:00 AM in Beijing — a 2-hour time difference.
Density Gap
Beijing is 3.1x more densely populated
History
Beijing is ~2,833 years older
The straight-line distance from Beijing to Sydney is 8,948 km (5,560 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~11h 2m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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