Should you visit Dalian or Suzhou?
Should I visit Dalian or Suzhou? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.
Which city is cheaper, Suzhou or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $92, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $91. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Dalian and Suzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $98 in Dalian For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Suzhou is $70. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
In Dalian travelers spend around $24 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The average traveler spends about $29 per day in Suzhou for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Dalian $24
Suzhou $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dalian
For Dalian, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Chengdu Private Food Tour (With Visit to Kuanzhai Alley and Hotpot Experience):
$32
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Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum and Sanxingdui Museum Private Day Tour with Hotpot Dinner:
$76
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Dim Sum Cooking Class and Wet Market Visit in Shanghai:
$78
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Beijing Hutong Evening Food Tour by Tuk Tuk:
$80
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Chengdu Panda Base Private Day Tour and Sichuan Cooking Class:
$83
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Beijing Food Culture & Cooking Class:
$137
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.
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Chengdu Private Food Tour (With Visit to Kuanzhai Alley and Hotpot Experience):
$32
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Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals:
$49
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Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum and Sanxingdui Museum Private Day Tour with Hotpot Dinner:
$76
-
Dim Sum Cooking Class and Wet Market Visit in Shanghai:
$78
-
Beijing Hutong Evening Food Tour by Tuk Tuk:
$80
-
Chengdu Panda Base Private Day Tour and Sichuan Cooking Class:
$83
-
Half-Day Private Customized Suzhou Highlights with Lunch or Dinner Option:
$123
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Beijing Food Culture & Cooking Class:
$137
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Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner:
$145
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Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Lunch or Dinner Option:
$154
Local Transportation
Dalian's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $37 per person, per day on transportation in Dalian.
The cost of a taxi ride in Suzhou is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $51 per person, per day, on local transportation in Suzhou.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Shared Coach Transfers between Shenzhen Bay Port and Hong Kong (Trans-island):
$6.45
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Shared Coach Transfers between Panyu and Hong Kong by Eternal East Bus:
$11
-
Shared Coach Transfers Between Hong Kong and Zhaoqing by EE Bus:
$12
-
Shared Shenzhen Airport (SZX) Coach Transfers for Hong Kong (Trans-Island):
$12
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Foshan and Hong Kong by Eternal East Bus:
$13
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Hong Kong and Huadu by Eternal East Bus:
$13
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Shunde and Hong Kong:
$14
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Foshan and Hong Kong:
$14
-
Shared Coach Transfers Between Guangzhou and Hong Kong:
$14
-
Shared Coach Transfers Between Heyuan and Hong Kong by EE Bus:
$15
-
Shared Hong Kong International Airport Transfers (HKG) for Shenzhen:
$15
-
Private Harbin Railway Station Transfer for Harbin:
$20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:
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Private City Transfers between Zhongshan and Hong Kong:
$313
-
Private City Transfers between Foshan and Hong Kong:
$296
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Private City Transfers between Guangzhou and Hong Kong:
$283
-
1-way Transfer between Suzhou Downtown and Ningbo Downtown Per Vehicle Price:
$244
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Private Suzhou Garden and Water Town Highlight Trip with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer:
$240
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Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer:
$240
-
Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer:
$240
-
Private City Transfers between Huizhou and Hong Kong :
$230
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Private Day Tour: Suzhou Highlights with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer:
$227
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Full-Day Suzhou Gardens Exploration with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer:
$227
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Private Day Tour: Gardens and Old Street in Suzhou with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer:
$214
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Private MPV City Transfer between Guangdong & Hong Kong:
$187
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Suzhou?
Prices for flights to both Suzhou 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Dalian can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $4.30 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Suzhou typically cost an average of $8.39 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
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Hupao Park Ticket in Hangzhou (For Mainland China ID Holders):
$2.35
-
China Red Sandalwood Museum Ticket in Beijing :
$2.79
-
Simatai Great Wall Admission with Cable Car Ticket in Beijing:
$3.09
-
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket Chengdu - ID Card Direct Entry:
$4.19
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Evergreen Resort Ticket in Shenzhen:
$6.19
-
Jinxi Ancient Town Attractions Combo Ticket:
$6.99
-
Gulangyu Seashell Museum Ticket:
$7.45
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Ferry Round Trip Ticket between Xiamen City and Gulangyu Sanqiutian Pier:
$8.55
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Wuyishan Xiamei Ancient Village Admission Ticket:
$8.55
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Ferry Round Trip Ticket between Xiamen City and Gulangyu Neicuoao Pier:
$8.55
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Guangdong First Peak Ticket:
$9.29
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Shanghai Joy City Rooftop Ferris Wheel - Sky Ring Ticket:
$9.29
Tours and Activities in Suzhou
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:
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Lionsgate Entertainment World Ticket in Henqin Zhuhai :
$31
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1-day private tour to Suzhou (Departure from Shanghai):
$214
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2 Days Shanghai Private Tour:
$178
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2-Day Customized Suzhou Sightseeing Tour with Tongli Water Town:
$295
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2D1N Mount Emei Monastery Cultural Tour:
$51
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2D1N Mount Emei Tour from Chengdu:
$199
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2D1N Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha Tour from Chengdu:
$216
-
3 Day Essential Hangzhou Private Tour:
$297
-
3 Day Guilin Highlights & Rice Terraces Private Tour:
$222
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3-Day Private Tibet Tour from Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake and Khampa La Pass:
$925
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4 Day Guilin and Yangshuo Private Tour:
$348
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4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour:
$114
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Dalian, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $5.68.
The average person spends about $5.75 on alcoholic beverages in Suzhou per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When comparing the travel costs between Dalian and Suzhou, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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