A Travel Price Comparison for China Dalian vs. Dali for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Dalian or Dali?

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

Should I visit Dalian or Dali? 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 Dali?

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.

Dali

Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.

Which place is cheaper, Dali or Dalian?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $103, while the average daily cost in Dali is $48. 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 Dali in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dalian $54
    Dali $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dalian $108
    Dali $34
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Dali

Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Dali? 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 Dalian


Hotels in Dali


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dalian $41
    Dali $9.19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian

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

  • Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
  • Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
  • Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
  • Dalian Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
  • Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33

Typical Local Transportation prices in Dali

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:


  • Local Bus
    $0.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

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

  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
  • Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Dali?

Prices for flights to both Dali 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dalian $27
    Dali $18

Typical Food prices in Dali

For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $4.42
  • Breakfast
    $3.45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dali

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

  • Yunnan specialty cooking class : $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dalian $4.78
    Dali $18

Tours and Activities in Dalian

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

  • 3-Day Private Tibet Tour from Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake and Khampa La Pass: $983
  • 4 Days Private History and Culture Tour of Beijing and Xi'an from Dalian: $1,156
  • 7-Day Private China Tour from Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin and Shanghai: $2,473
  • All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour of Beijing City Highlights from Dalian by Air: $784
  • All Inclusive 3-Day Private Tour of Xi'an and Beijing from Dalian with Hotel: $1,358
  • All Inclusive Private Lushun(Port Arthur) Full-Day Tour: $400
  • Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $159
  • Romantic Tour in Dalian: $460
  • The Best of Dalian Walking Tour: $460

Tours and Activities in Dali

For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 day Dali Highlights Mini Group Tour: $140
  • 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
  • 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
  • 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
  • 2 Days Lugu Lake and Matriarchal Society Experience Tour: $509
  • 2 Days Shangrila City Tour from Lijiang: $437
  • 2-Day tour of Shaxi and Tiger Leaping Gorge from Dali/Lijiang: $384
  • 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
  • 2days tour Dali Cangshan Mout erhai lake xizhou market three pagodas from Dali: $333
  • 3-Day Private Dali Tour: $395
  • 4-Day Private Tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi: $840
  • 9 days Ancient Town Tour: $1,758

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dalian $6.31
    Dali $11

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Dali, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Dali.

Which is Bigger, Dalian or Dali?

Dalian is bigger, and its population is about 15.2 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the population of Dalian vs. Dali, 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 and the activities 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.
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Dalian vs. Dali Travel Comparison

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