A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dalian vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dalian or Khao Sok National Park?

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

Should I visit Dalian or Khao Sok National Park? 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 Khao Sok National Park?

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.

Khao Sok National Park

In the south of Thailand, visitors will find a gorgeous getaway of pure nature. The Khao Sok National Park is a jungle reserve that covers over 700 square kilometers, and described as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in the country.

Many say this jungle is over 160 million years old making it one of the world's oldest rainforests. The lush environment of limestone, waterfalls and thickets of vegetation will make any wanderer eager to discover more. Keep your eyes peeled for bears, boars, gaurs, tapirs, gibbons, deer, marbled cats, wild elephants and more. Look to the sky for over 300 species of bird and 38 different types of bats.

You'll find the best time to book is from December to April, better known as the dry season. From June to October there is significantly more rain and the threat of monsoons. Not only does it rain on your parade, but also it causes the leeches to emerge.

To enter the park is a 300 baht fee for foreigners, 150 for children, and 40 for Thai citizens. If someone tries to sell you a ticket for more than that, simply buy one at the park entrance. When planning your stay remember that your entrance fee is only valid for 24 hours. If you're staying multiple days, you'll need to pay up front. Often if you're with a tour, the entrance fee is included in the tour price, but you should inquire about this to make sure.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Dalian or Khao Sok National Park?

Dalian has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Sok National Park experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

Dalian is cooler than Khao Sok National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dalian. Dalian usually gets less rain in July than Khao Sok National Park. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Dalian is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dalian in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dalian or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Khao Sok National Park. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dalian. In January, Dalian is generally much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around -4°C (25°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Khao Sok National Park. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Dalian is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Dalian