Should you visit Dalian or Beijing?
Should I visit Dalian or Beijing? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
Which city is cheaper, Beijing or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $92, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $69. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Dalian and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $98 in Dalian For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Beijing is $70. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
In Dalian travelers spend around $24 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
In Beijing travelers spend around $19 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Dalian $24
Beijing $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dalian
For Dalian, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Chengdu Private Food Tour (With Visit to Kuanzhai Alley and Hotpot Experience):
$32
-
Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum and Sanxingdui Museum Private Day Tour with Hotpot Dinner:
$76
-
Dim Sum Cooking Class and Wet Market Visit in Shanghai:
$78
-
Beijing Hutong Evening Food Tour by Tuk Tuk:
$80
-
Chengdu Panda Base Private Day Tour and Sichuan Cooking Class:
$83
-
Beijing Food Culture & Cooking Class:
$137
Typical Food prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
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Online Cooking Class:
$25
-
Path Hutong Food Tour:
$30
-
Chengdu Private Food Tour (With Visit to Kuanzhai Alley and Hotpot Experience):
$32
-
Kung fu Show and Peking Roasted Duck Dinner:
$58
-
Private Temple of Heaven Walking Tour with Peking Duck Dinner or Kung Fu Show:
$62
-
Acrobatic Show w/ Peking Duck Dinner Private:
$68
-
Beijing Historical Center with Peking Opera and Duck Dinner:
$69
-
3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour:
$69
-
Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour:
$69
-
Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum and Sanxingdui Museum Private Day Tour with Hotpot Dinner:
$76
-
Dim Sum Cooking Class and Wet Market Visit in Shanghai:
$78
-
Old Beijing Dinner Tour:
$80
Local Transportation
Dalian's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $37 per person, per day on transportation in Dalian.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $6.87 per day to get around in Beijing.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport Transfers (SHA/PVG) for Shanghai (Multiple Car Models):
$38
-
Badaling Great Wall in Beijing Private Transfer:
$43
-
Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$89
-
Dalian Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$56
-
Dalian Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station:
$89
-
Dalian Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station:
$30
-
Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer:
$40
-
Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer:
$27
-
Longji Rice Terraced Fields and Minority Villages Tour with Transfer from Guilin or Yangshuo:
$108
-
Luxury Private Shanghai Pudong International Airport Transfers (PVG) for Downtown Shanghai:
$118
-
Luxury private Baiyun International Airport Transfers (CAN) for Guangzhou :
$74
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Luxury private Bao'an International Airport Transfers (SZX) for Downtown Shenzhen:
$67
Typical Local Transportation prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
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Private 2-Day Xi'an Tour From Your Beijing's hotel Including Transfer Service:
$1,680
-
Private Day Trip Of Xi'an From Your Beijing's hotel Including Transfer Service:
$1,100
-
Private Day tour of Xi'an From Beijing Including Transfer Service:
$1,000
-
Beijing to Xi'an See Terracotta Warriors with Bullet Train Round Trip Transfer:
$564
-
3-Days Classic Beijing Sightseeing Tour with Layover Airport Transfer Option:
$560
-
All-Inclusive Tianjin Port Transfer with Classical Beijing 2-day Tour:
$540
-
2-Day Customizable Beijing Highlight Tour with Airport Transfer Option:
$520
-
Private 3-Day Beijing Highlights Tour with Tianjin Port Transfer:
$514
-
Simatai Great Wall & Beijing City 4-Day Private Tour Package + Airport Transfer:
$513
-
Chongli Ski Resorts Private Transfer from Beijing City:
$480
-
4 Days Beijing Sightseeing with Airport (Train Station) Transfer:
$455
-
2 Days Beijing to Feng Ning Ba Shang Grassland tour with private transfer:
$448
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Dalian 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Dalian can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $4.30 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $21 per person, per day in Beijing. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
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Hupao Park Ticket in Hangzhou (For Mainland China ID Holders):
$2.35
-
China Red Sandalwood Museum Ticket in Beijing :
$2.79
-
Simatai Great Wall Admission with Cable Car Ticket in Beijing:
$3.09
-
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket Chengdu - ID Card Direct Entry:
$4.19
-
Evergreen Resort Ticket in Shenzhen:
$6.19
-
Jinxi Ancient Town Attractions Combo Ticket:
$6.99
-
Gulangyu Seashell Museum Ticket:
$7.45
-
Ferry Round Trip Ticket between Xiamen City and Gulangyu Sanqiutian Pier:
$8.55
-
Wuyishan Xiamei Ancient Village Admission Ticket:
$8.55
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Ferry Round Trip Ticket between Xiamen City and Gulangyu Neicuoao Pier:
$8.55
-
Guangdong First Peak Ticket:
$9.29
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Shanghai Joy City Rooftop Ferris Wheel - Sky Ring Ticket:
$9.29
Typical Entertainment prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two
$9.31
-
Two Opera Tickets
$66
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
$11
-
Forbidden City (for 2)
$19
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Forbidden City Tickets
$19
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City
$12
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Lionsgate Entertainment World Ticket in Henqin Zhuhai :
$31
-
1 Day Beijing Badaling Great Wall with 30-Minute Helicopter Tour:
$614
-
1 Day Beijing No Shopping Tour with Peking Roast Duck:
$226
-
1 Day Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour:
$29
-
1 Day Old Beijing City Tour .Forbidden City,Hutong,Temple of Heaven:
$163
-
1 Day Romantic Tour in Oriental Provence Lavender Manor and Mutianyu Great Wall:
$208
-
1 Day Tour : Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town:
$239
-
1 Day Tour Badaling Great Wall and Badaling Ski Resort:
$249
-
1 Day Tour Mutianyu Great Wall & Chunhuiyuan Hot Springs:
$224
-
1 Day Tour: Badaling Great Wall and Jiuhua Hot Spring:
$167
-
1 day Mutianyu Great Wall Nonshopping bus tour:
$51
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1-Day Badaling Great Wall Helicopter Tour with Sacred Way & Bird's Nest:
$714
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Dalian, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $5.68.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Beijing may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
-
Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing:
$138
-
5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing:
$178
-
Private Wonderful Beijing Bar Crawl Tour:
$195
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Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit:
$228
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Beijing, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian than you might in Beijing.
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