Beijing is more like the DC area, but even then the comparison is flimsy. As a long time Beijing resident, I would say Shenzhen and Shanghai have more to offer. Beijing's importance is mostly driven by the government.
In Beijing, if you have time, you can attend some interesting IT meetup everyday. It is what you can not see in Shanghai or Shenzhen.
Talk to somebody in Shanghai or Shenzhen startup community. You will have the insights.