A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cebu vs. Yangshuo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cebu or Yangshuo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cebu or Yangshuo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Cebu or Yangshuo?

Cebu

Cebu Island is an important island in the Visayas region of the Philippines, characterized by its main port at Cebu City as well as many natural features. The most-visited areas include islands of Mactan, Bantayan, Badian, Malapascua and Camotes, all which have resorts and hotels. Scuba diving and snorkeling are common activities along the shoreline, while hiking the mountainous spine of the island is popular inland.

Yangshuo

A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.


Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo or Cebu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo is $72. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cebu and Yangshuo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cebu $25
    Yangshuo $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cebu $50
    Yangshuo $50
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Yangshuo

Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Yangshuo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cebu


Hotels in Yangshuo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cebu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cebu $26
    Yangshuo $42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $190
  • Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
  • Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
  • Oslob Car Hire and Transfers: $150
  • Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
  • Malapascua: Advance Divers Shark Dive & Optional Transfer: $108
  • Cebu Whale Shark Snorkeling & Tumalog Falls w/ Meals and Transfer: $95
  • Transfer Cebu City - Bantayan Island: $70
  • Cebu Airport Transfer within Mactan Island, Cebu or Mandaue City: $64
  • Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
  • Cebu Departure Transfer from Mandaue city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
  • Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Lapu-Lapu city: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo

Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
  • Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $48
  • Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
  • Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $49
  • Yangshuo Rock Climbing with Hotel Transfer (3 hours): $69
  • Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
  • Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
  • Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107

Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Yangshuo?

Prices for flights to both Yangshuo and Cebu change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cebu $21
    Yangshuo $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.

  • Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $67
  • Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour: $69
  • Panoramic View of Cebu and Dinner with Night View: $89
  • Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking Class: $108
  • Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $131

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo

For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3-Hour Yangshuo Cooking Class with Yangshuo Town Shopping: $138
  • Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cebu $17
    Yangshuo $23

Tours and Activities in Cebu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:

  • Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
  • 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
  • A snorkelling tour to Cebu’s Hilutungan: $130
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $84
  • Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $80
  • Beach Adventure: $85
  • Bohol Countryside Day Tour From Cebu City | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $145
  • Bohol Countryside Day Tour from Cebu City or Mactan - Best Seller: $155
  • Bohol Countryside Joiners Tour From Cebu City: $144
  • Bohol Countryside Private Tour From Cebu City: $213
  • Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
  • Cebu City All Day Tour; An Unforgettable Experience of Cebu.: $60

Tours and Activities in Yangshuo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.

  • Tour to learn Chinese cuisine in Yangshuo group: $37
  • Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
  • Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $45
  • Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $47
  • Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $56
  • Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
  • Gullin: Li River Cruise with Pickup and Yangshuo: $65
  • Private Half-Day Bike and Bamboo Raft Tour in Yangshuo: $80
  • 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
  • Xingping Parasailing Experience Ticket: $89
  • Yangshuo Parasailing Experience Ticket: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cebu $14
    Yangshuo $33

Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:

  • Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99


When comparing the travel costs between Cebu and Yangshuo, we can see that Yangshuo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cebu Expensive? and Is Yangshuo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cebu or Yangshuo?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Cebu and Yangshuo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Cebu or Yangshuo?

Yangshuo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cebu experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cebu or Yangshuo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Yangshuo. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Cebu is around the same temperature as Yangshuo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cebu in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 30°C (86°F).

It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. Cebu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cebu usually gets less rain in July than Yangshuo. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Yangshuo 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Yangshuo in the Autumn?

Both Yangshuo and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu throughout the year.

In October, Cebu is generally a little warmer than Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Cebu. In October, Cebu usually receives more rain than Yangshuo. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Yangshuo 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Yangshuo in the Winter?

Both Yangshuo and Cebu during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Cebu is much warmer than Yangshuo in the winter. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Cebu usually gets more rain in January than Yangshuo. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cebu 27°C (81°F) 
    Yangshuo 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Yangshuo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Yangshuo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round.

In the spring, Cebu is a little warmer than Yangshuo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cebu in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cebu usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cebu 29°C (84°F) 
    Yangshuo 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Yangshuo and Cebu

Cebu Yangshuo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in) 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)