A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dalian vs. Coffs Harbour for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dalian or Coffs Harbour?

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

Should I visit Dalian or Coffs Harbour? 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 Coffs Harbour?

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.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is in New South Wales between Brisbane and Sydney. Historically, Coffs Harbour has been a popular vacation destination among families, particularly Australian families. Most visitors today are families that are carrying on a longstanding tradition and bringing their children to the holiday destination of their childhood. You'll also find backpackers who spend up to a week here, dividing the trip between Sydney and Brisbane. The area has a well established tourist infrastructure that is not as trendy as that in Byron Bay, but it remains a wonderful community to visit if you're not looking for the party atmosphere.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour is more expensive. And not only is Dalian much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dalian is in Asia and Coffs Harbour is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Dalian would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dalian 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 Coffs Harbour would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coffs Harbour than you might in Dalian.

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

Which is Bigger, Dalian or Coffs Harbour?

Dalian has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Coffs Harbour, 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 Dalian or Coffs Harbour?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Coffs Harbour is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Dalian has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Dalian or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Coffs Harbour. Furthermore, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Dalian is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dalian in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.

Coffs Harbour receives a lot of rain in the summer. Dalian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Dalian usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin January. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dalian or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Coffs Harbour. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dalian is generally cooler than Coffs Harbourin April. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 15°C (58°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Dalian usually gets less rain in October than Coffs Harbourin April. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

Both Coffs Harbour and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.

The weather in Dalian can be very cold. Dalian is much colder than Coffs Harbour in the winter. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.

In January, Dalian usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin July. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dalian or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

Both Coffs Harbour and Dalian during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dalian is much colder than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dalian in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

Coffs Harbour gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dalian usually gets less rain in April than Coffs Harbourin October. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Dalian