Shandong is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Shandong?
You should plan to spend around $62 (¥453) per day on your vacation in Shandong. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $28 (¥203) on meals
- $10 (¥75) on local transportation
- $45 (¥324) on hotels
A one week trip to Shandong for two people costs, on average, $872 (¥6,342). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$436
¥3,171
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$872
¥6,342
-
One Month
Per person
$1,869
¥13,590
-
One Week
For a couple
$872
¥6,342
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$1,744
¥12,684
-
One Month
For a couple
$3,738
¥27,180
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Shandong cost?
A one week trip to Shandong usually costs around $436 (¥3,171) for one person and $872 (¥6,342) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Shandong on average costs around $872 (¥6,342) for one person and $1,744 (¥12,684) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Shandong will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Shandong on average costs around $1,869 (¥13,590) for one person and $3,738 (¥27,180) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Shandong expensive to visit?
Shandong is a smaller destination that draws visitors with a range of travel styles, spending habits, and budget preferences. Affordable hotel choices are available, but luxury hotels also cater to the more affluent clientele, along with mid-range accommodations that are perfect for families and couples.
Shandong has the potential to be expensive, but you can manage your budget by looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $26 (¥189) per day, mid-range travelers spend $62 (¥453) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $141 (¥1,029) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Shandong.
Within Asia, Shandong is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to many other destinations.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Shandong Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Shandong?
The average Shandong trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Shandong travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Shandong cost?
Shandong on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$9
(¥66)
|
$22
(¥162)
|
$52
(¥376)
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$4
(¥29)
|
$10
(¥75)
|
$27
(¥197)
|
|
Food2
|
$12
(¥84)
|
$28
(¥203)
|
$63
(¥461)
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$9
(¥64)
|
$20
(¥145)
|
$37
(¥271)
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$3-9
(¥22-67)
|
$7-21
(¥51-152)
|
$13-39
(¥94-281)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's essential to keep realistic expectations for your travel budget. Many people think they can visit Shandong cheaply, but most travelers aren't comfortable with an extreme "shoestring" budget. Consider what you truly enjoy on vacation. Do you prefer resorts, vacation homes, or hostels? Is experiencing attractions and dining important to you? Your budget and itinerary will depend on your answers to these questions.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $26 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.
For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
Couples and families traveling for leisure often prefer mid-range hotels, dine at popular eateries, and visit key museums and attractions that require an entry fee. Many visitors to Shandong are keen to visit the prominent attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. It's important to remember that most activities will cost you money. Consequently, you should anticipate your daily budget to be closer to $62 per person, per day.
What Luxury Travel Looks Like
If you're looking for a complete getaway that features every luxury and a high level of service, plan on a cost of about $141 daily. To enjoy nicer hotels, dine at award-winning venues, indulge in extravagant experiences, and travel around the destination with taxis or private drivers, you'll need to set aside a luxury budget.
Accommodation Budget in Shandong
In Shandong, hotel prices can swing drastically. Higher-end hotels offer more luxury, but come at a cost, especially in peak season when prices are higher. Off-season prices are more reasonable, averaging $, but during peak season they jump to an average of $. You can find budget options starting at $ up to luxury rates at $. Hostels are typically cheaper, especially dorms. Book early and avoid peak season to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Shandong for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $45 (¥324). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $22 (¥162) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Shandong? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and avoid ), you'll find lower accommodation prices and less tourist crowds.
Transportation Budget in Shandong
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $10 (¥75) per person, per day, on local transportation in Shandong. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Shandong is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$10
¥75
Getting into the Shandong region is easy, you have a range of options including boat, plane, train, and bus. You'll find that many of the cities have good intercity transport options, including buses and bike rentals. Taxis are also a popular choice, although be sure to have the number of the taxi company as you may have to call for one since they don't always just roam the streets. Getting between cities is often done either on train or long distance bus. If you'd like to be more adventurous, you can actually rent a motorbike to navigate between and around cities.
How much does it cost to go to Shandong? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Shandong will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Shandong
One of the biggest draws for travelers is the food, so be sure to savor the local flavors.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Shandong can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Shandong is $28 (¥203) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$28
¥203
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Shandong is around $28 (¥203) per person, with previous travelers spending from $11 to $63. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Shandong are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $8
- Lunch: $4 to $11
- Dinner: $8 to $19
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $4
The local cuisine is called Lu cai, or simply just Lu, which is one of the eight culinary traditions of China. You'll find a lot of seafood, grains such as oats and barely, potatoes, peanuts, and vinegar. There are slight variations depending on which area you're in, for example, Coastal regions tend to include scallops in a quick stir fry while Highland cities generally use more vinegar and roasting methods.
Shandong is a major wine producing region in China, most restaurans and bars will have the local choice, which is definitely worth a try! Beer is extremely popular here, especially with the Tsingtao Brewery located in Qingdao. Speaking of which, Qingdao is the major city for nightlife including big clubs and bars, while other cities tend to have smaller, more pub-like bars.
Numerous hotels offer breakfast as part of the room rate, but some might charge extra for it. The cost and quality can differ from one hotel to another. Being aware of this beforehand can help you determine if you need to allocate additional funds. It could be worth it for a fantastic buffet at the hotel, or you might want to opt for a nearby bakery or cafe that's more budget-friendly.
Bring a water bottle instead of buying beverages everywhere. It helps the environment, too.
If you're thinking about taking a tour, it's wise to check in advance which meals are covered. You may need to cover some of your own food costs, which could increase your overall budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Shandong
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Shandong typically cost an average of $20 (¥145) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$20
¥145
A popular destination for many is Confucius' birthplace in the city of Qufu, where you'll find the temple and cemetery of Confucius as well as sacred buildings including the Tomb of Shaohao. In Jinan, you can explore a few of their 72 natural springs and even take a boat ride through willow trees in Daming Lake Park. Qingdao is famous for their beautiful parks where you'll find everything from botanical gardens to ancient gates and sculpture gardens. They also have great beaches that range from the more crowded, family oriented to the remote and relaxed. Weifang is home to Wei Xian Memorial, which is dedicated to those who were interned in the concentration camp there during WWII, including the Western prisoners of war. One such POW, Eric Liddell, who was portrayed in the movie Chariots of Fire, is memorialized on the plaque here.
If you're around in the springtime, you must go to the International Kite Festival in Weifang. Here, thousands of kite flyers from around the world put their kites on display through various competitions, including synchronized flying, team competitions, and basic kite displays. If, instead, you're here in August, head over to the Qungdao International Beer Festival held at the end of the month. During the day, you'll find carnival rides and games, great food, and ceremonies celebrating Qungdao's brewing history. At night, the city comes to life as various beer companies come out selling food and drink and festival goers participate in karaoke, concerts, and even auctions.
Nightlife Budget in Shandong
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $14 (¥101) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Shandong per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$14
¥101
Enjoying the nightlife is exciting, but if you want to save money, drinking less is an easy way to do it.
Travel cost data last updated: Mar 26, 2025
Traveling in Shandong
Qingdao, China
Shandong Province, China is located on the Yellow Sea in the north eastern part of the country, with the Yellow River running throughout the province. The province is known for their natural beauty, ancient temples, and pristine cities. The province as a whole does not see many tourists, so expect to get some very friendly attention, especially when traveling through smaller cities.
You'll find some of the best weather here during spring, especially in May when temperatures are in the high 60's Fahrenheit and you'll have plenty of sunshine. Shandong is in a monsoon region and does get heavy rain throughout the summer, don't let this turn you away though! Summers boast temperatures in the 80's making it a great time to visit beaches and enjoy the many summer festivals. Autumn sees comfortable temperatures and few tourist, while winters are not too bitter, seeing light snowfall and temperatures rarely going below 20 degrees.
Regions
Shandong is a fairly large province that can be divided into three main regions: Lowland, the west side that runs along the rivers; Highland, the hilly area in the center of the province; Coastal, the area on the Yellow Sea coast. The capital city of Jinan is located in the Lowland region; the city has been inhabited for over 4,000 years and is famous for having over 70 natural springs, many of which you can put your feet in on a hot summer day.
Donying is an oil rich city that attracts many Western expats and is most known for their wildlife rich wetlands. Qingdao is a beautiful, historically rich, beach town that was named China's most livable city in 2012. Weifang is a Highland city that is known as the "Kite Capital of the World" due to it's winds that make for perfect kite flying conditions. Yantai is a laid back Coastal city where you'll find a lot of expats and westerners teaching English, as well as some delicious fruit including cherries and apples.
Related:
Looking for a hostel in China?
Traveling alone to Beijing or Hong Kong or want to party in Shanghai?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.