Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dalian or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Chengdu? 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: Dalian or Chengdu?
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.
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Dalian Prices
China PricesChengdu Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $132Chengdu $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $132, while the average daily cost in Chengdu 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 Dalian and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $58Chengdu $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $116Chengdu $46
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Chengdu? 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.
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: Dalian Hotel Prices and Chengdu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $44Chengdu $6.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $88
- Dalian Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
- Dalian Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Chengdu 3-Day Self-Guided Jiuzhaigou&Huanglong with Transfer: $412
- Algou Valley Hiking Tour with Roundtrip Transfer: $289
- 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Panda Base, city central with Round Airport Transfer: $240
- Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $230
- 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Leshan Giant buddha with Round Airport Transfer: $205
- Downtown to Leshan round way transfer for one day service: $172
- Private Day Tour of Giant Pandas and Kuanzhai Alley with Transfer: $168
- Downtown to Dujiangyan round way transfer: $161
- Leshan Buddha Optional Tours w/ Transfer or Guide: $156
- Chengdu Private Round Trip Transfer to Emei Mountain: $128
- Chengdu Tianfu Airport Private Transfer: $119
- Round-Trip Private Transfer between Emei Shan and Chengdu City: $113
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayDalian $51Chengdu $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Chengdu Vegetarian Cooking Class at a Local Home: $45
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Private Chengdu TukTuk Food Tour: Hidden Alleys & Local Eats: $59
- Chengdu Hidden Street Food Tour Spice Trails: $60
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit: $69
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $73
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $5.17Chengdu $17
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Seaside and Skyline A Scenic Walking Tour of Dalian: $150
- Flexible Dalian City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $200
- Waves & Wharfs: Dalian's Chill Soul 1-Day Tour: $215
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $250
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Tea Trip in Mount Mengding with Tea Making Experience: $150
- 1 day Chengdu City Highlights Mini Group tour: $102
- 1-Day Chengdu Ancient History and Culture City Tour: $179
- 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Discovery:Jinsha,Shu Brocade Museum & Dufu Cottage Tour: $189
- 1-Day Chengdu Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour With the Lunch and Boat tour: $242
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha GROUP Tour: $144
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch: $246
- 1-Day Chengdu Private Tour: Dujiangyan Ancient River Irrigation and Temple Site: $213
- 1-Day Chengdu tour with Panda Base, Renmin Park,Wenshu Temple and Hot Pot Lunch: $193
- 1-Day Dujiangyan Self-Guided Tour: Panda Volunteer and Water Irrigation System: $123
- 1-Day Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch from Chengdu: $229
- 1-Day Leshan Giant Buddha and Huanglongxi old town Private Tour from Chengdu: $236
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.83Chengdu $4.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Chengdu
Also in Chengdu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chengdu Pub Crawl: $23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Chengdu, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Chengdu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Chengdu?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Dalian. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Chengdu, 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.
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.