A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Yangshuo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dubai or Yangshuo?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Yangshuo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dubai or Yangshuo?

Dubai

Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.

Yangshuo

A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.


Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo or Dubai?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo is $72. 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 Dubai and Yangshuo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubai $170
    Yangshuo $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubai $340
    Yangshuo $50
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Yangshuo

Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Yangshuo? 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 Dubai


Hotels in Yangshuo


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dubai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubai $13
    Yangshuo $43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $12
  • Airport Taxi
    $12
  • Sea Taxi
    $0.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai

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

  • Burj Khalifa: Skip-the-Line Entry, Gourmet Meal, & Transfer: $799
  • From Private Van Transfer in Maybach: $735
  • padi Scuba Diver Course in Fujairah with transfer and lunch: $408
  • Dubai Parasailing Tour With Private Transfers: $300
  • Hot Air Balloon Flight with 4X4 Transfers: $299
  • The Dubai Mall Tour with Private Transfers : $299
  • Jet Car Ride for 2 Pax with Optional Transfer: $299
  • Afternoon Tea at Sahn Eddar in Burj al Arab with Transfers: $299
  • Museum of the Future with Private Transfer: $288
  • Khor Fakkan Private Day Tour From Dubai with Transfer: $287
  • Burj Khalifa Lounge Access 152,153 and 154 with Optional Transfer: $287
  • Dubai Sharjah City Tour with Private Transfer: $286

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo

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

  • Visit 100% primitive cave with Transfer: $97
  • Private Yangshuo Transfer from Hotel to Longji terraces Hotel: $96
  • Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
  • Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Guilin hotel: $64
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $48
  • Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Yangshuo?

Prices for flights to both Yangshuo and Dubai 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
    Dubai $56
    Yangshuo $19
Typical Food Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:


  • French bread
    $0.95
  • Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice
    $10
  • Lemon Mint Tea
    $4.36
  • Coffee & Cake
    $6.54
  • Smoothie
    $5.45
  • Shawarma
    $1.91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai

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

  • Deira Dhow Cruise Buffet Dinner with Entertainment: $14
  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $14
  • Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $14
  • Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Deira Creek: $15
  • 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
  • Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $16
  • Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $16
  • Best Dhow Cruise Buffet Dinner with Tenora show: $17
  • 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $17
  • Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner in Dubai Creek: $17
  • Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner in Deira Creek - Dubai: $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo

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

  • Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
  • Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubai $19
    Yangshuo $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Visit to the Dubai Museum
    $0.82

Tours and Activities in Dubai

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

  • 60 Minutes Dubai Yellow Boat Marina Tour: $69
  • Abu Dhabi City Tour Including Ferrari World Ticket : $170
  • Admission ticket for IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai: $95
  • Burj Khalifa At the Top & Sky Views Ticket: $167
  • Burj Khalifa Observation deck Dubai Admission Ticket : $71
  • Burj Khalifa Tour - Top Sky Ticket 124, 125 & 148 Floor Level Access : $165
  • Classical Dubai Highlights City Tour : $36
  • Desert Adventure with ATV and Camel Ride and Live Shows: $100
  • Dibba Full Day Cruise Trip: $191
  • Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with Breakfast: $105
  • Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo Entrance Ticket: $48
  • Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Explorer Tickets: $95

Tours and Activities in Yangshuo

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

  • Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
  • Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $149
  • 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
  • 1-Day Guilin City Tour with the Daxu Town and Yao Mountain from Yangshuo: $187
  • 1-Day Longji Rice Terraces hiking tour from Guilin/Yangshuo hotel: $188
  • 2 Day - Longji Rice Terraces - Sunrise Hiking Tour: $280
  • All-inclusive Private Day Tour to Longji Rice Terraces and Village: $190
  • Full-day Tour: Cycling, Rafting & SanjieLiu Outdoor Water Theatre: $128
  • Full-day Tour: Longji Rice Terraces & Minority Villages: $146
  • Guilin Tea plantation and Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Xingping hotel: $181
  • Guilin Yangshuo Day tour from Guangzhou by Round Way Bullet Train: $212
  • Half-Day Private Tour: Yangshuo Sidecar Tour from Xingping hotel: $159

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubai $23
    Yangshuo $33
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:


  • A Couple Drinks
    $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $66
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
  • Pub Crawl Private, Birthdays & Corporate Events: $110


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Yangshuo, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Yangshuo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Yangshuo is in Asia, 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 Yangshuo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangshuo 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Yangshuo.

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


Which is Bigger, Dubai or Yangshuo?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Yangshuo, 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 Dubai or Yangshuo?

Yangshuo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Yangshuo in the Summer?

Both Yangshuo and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year.

Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dubai 35°C (95°F) 
    Yangshuo 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Dubai or Yangshuo in the Autumn?

Both Yangshuo and Dubai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Dubai is a little warmer than Yangshuo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Yangshuo. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dubai 29°C (84°F) 
    Yangshuo 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Dubai or Yangshuo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Yangshuo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round.

In the winter, Dubai is much warmer than Yangshuo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dubai 19°C (66°F) 
    Yangshuo 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Dubai or Yangshuo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Yangshuo. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Yangshuo. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dubai 26°C (79°F) 
    Yangshuo 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Yangshuo and Dubai

Dubai Yangshuo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in)
Jun 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in)
Jul 35°C (95°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Aug 36°C (97°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)