Beijing vs Washington D.C. - City Size Comparison

Is Beijing Bigger Than Washington D.C.?

In terms of area, Beijing is 92.7x the size of Washington D.C.. Beijing spans 16,411 km² (6,336 mi²) while Washington D.C. covers 177 km² (68 mi²) — a difference of 16,234 km². You could fit Washington D.C. inside Beijing approximately 92 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 Washington D.C.

Capital of the United States. Often called "D.C.", Washington D.C. has an area of 177 km² and is home to 0.7 million people. Its history stretches back to 1790. Visitors come for The White House, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian museums, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Washington Metro.

D.C. has more free museums than any other city in the US — all 19 Smithsonian museums charge no admission

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Beijing metropolitan area covers 16,411 km², which is 1.1x larger than greater Washington D.C. at 14,412 km². The Beijing metro area is also more populous, with 21.5 million people compared to 6.3 million.

Population Density

Beijing has a population density of 1,313 people per km² — a relatively spread-out city. Washington D.C., with 3,898 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Washington D.C. is noticeably denser, packing 3.0 times more people per square kilometer.

Climate & Time Zone

Beijing has a humid continental climate while Washington D.C. experiences humid subtropical conditions. When it's noon in Beijing, it's midnight in Washington D.C. — a 13-hour time difference.