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

Should you visit Dalian or Katoomba?

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

Should I visit Dalian or Katoomba? 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba

Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.

The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dalian or Katoomba?

Dalian has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?

Both Katoomba and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Katoomba gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dalian. Dalian usually gets more rain in July than Katoombain January. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Katoomba in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Katoomba. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.

In October, Dalian is generally cooler than Katoombain April. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 15°C (58°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Katoombain April. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dalian or Katoomba in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Katoomba. Also, many travelers come to Katoomba for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Dalian in the winter. Dalian is much colder than Katoomba in the winter. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in July.

Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Katoombain July. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Katoomba in the Spring?

Both Katoomba and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Katoomba in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dalian is much colder than Katoomba. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dalian in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Katoombain October. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Dalian