Should you visit Guangzhou or Chengdu?
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 Guangzhou and Chengdu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
Which city is cheaper, Chengdu or Guangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $80, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $45. 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 Guangzhou and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
Guangzhou's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $102. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $51.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $38 for a double occupancy room in Chengdu.
Food
The average traveler spends about $17 per day in Guangzhou 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.
Food in Chengdu costs travelers about $19 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Guangzhou $17
Chengdu $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
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Pearl River Night Dinner Cruise in Guangzhou:
$73
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The Great Guangzhou Food Tour with Authentic Flavors:
$81
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From Pearl River Night Cruise with Buffet Dinner:
$87
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Guangzhou Night View Cruise Tour with Dinner:
$90
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Guangzhou Night Tour of Pearl River Cruise with Buffet Dinner:
$91
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Night Pearl River Cruise with Buffet Dinner:
$98
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Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou:
$139
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Private Guangzhou food tour:
$150
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Half day private layover tour with Cantonese dim sum lunch/dinner:
$160
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Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Pearl River Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner:
$160
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3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit:
$161
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Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner:
$166
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
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Food and Cooking experiences in Chengdu:
$51
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Half Day Tour Chengdu Courtyard Cooking Class and Local Spice Market:
$56
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Sichuan cooking class half day tour:
$56
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Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit:
$56
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Private Sichuan Cooking Class including Local Wet Market Visit:
$59
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Half-Day Small Group Sichuan Cuisine Museum Tour with Cooking Class:
$64
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Half Day Chengdu Tofu Making Class with Mapo Tofu Cooking:
$70
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Authentic Chengdu Local Food Tour:
$73
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Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit:
$78
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Half-Day Sichuan Cooking Class Experience in Chengdu:
$87
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Half day Sichuan Cuisine Cooking Class Tour:
$96
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Private tour to Panda Base and Cooking class in Chengdu:
$98
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Guangzhou is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $13 per person, per day, on local transportation in Guangzhou.
The average price of local transportation around Chengdu is $5.33 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
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Canton Fair Private Transfer between Guangzhou City Center and Pazhou Complex:
$32
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Chimelong Circus Show with Private Transfer in Guangzhou:
$139
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China Private Baiyun Airport(CAN) transfer to/from Guangzhou city:
$52
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Fast Train Ticket from Guangzhou to Hong Kong with Station Transfer in Guanghou:
$95
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Guangzhou & Fushan to Hong Kong Private Transfer:
$422
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Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$50
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Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$100
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Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Guangzhou Transfer, Pickup:
$27
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Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Guangzhou Transfer, Pickup:
$36
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Guangzhou Chimelong International Circus Private Transfer Service:
$38
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Guangzhou City to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) - Departure Private Transfer:
$50
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Guangzhou Night Pearl River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer:
$71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
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1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Leshan Giant buddha with Round Airport Transfer:
$200
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1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Panda Base, city central with Round Airport Transfer:
$187
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Arrival Private Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu City by Executive Sedan:
$103
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Arrival Private Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu City by Standard Car:
$53
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Arrival Private Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu by Business Minivan:
$112
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Arrival Private Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu by Minivan:
$61
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Chengdu (CTU) - Chengdu transfer:
$34
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Chengdu City to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer:
$37
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Chengdu Private Airport Arrival Transfer:
$59
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Chengdu Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$89
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Chengdu Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel:
$89
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Chengdu Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$56
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Guangzhou typically cost an average of $16 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Chengdu's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $14 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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4-Hour Guangzhou Layover Bus Tour:
$30
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Guangzhou City Walk - One Day Eating Tour - Small Group:
$53
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4-hour Fascinating Guangzhou Nightlife Tour:
$60
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Private Guangzhou night tour with Pearl River Cruise and Canton Tower:
$60
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Guangzhou Half Day Layover Bus Tour:
$70
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Self-Guided Guangzhou City Tour with Private Car and Driver Service:
$71
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Guided Cycle Tour of Guangzhou:
$73
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Guangzhou half day private tour with public transportation:
$75
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Private half day shopping tour in Guangzhou:
$75
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Explore the best views of Shenzhen bay and experience the night:
$77
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Flexible Private Guangzhou Shopping Tour with Local Shopping Guru:
$77
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Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise Tour:
$77
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Admission Ticket:
$11
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Chengdu Jinsha Archaeological Site and Museum Ticket:
$14
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Sichuan Opera Night show Tickets:
$16
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Skip the Line: Ticket to Face Changing Sichuan Opera:
$19
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Skip the Line: Sichuan Opera Chengdu Ticket:
$21
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Panda Breeding Center (Panda Base) & Taoism temple tour:
$32
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Sichuan Opera Tickets Booking:
$32
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Shufeng Yayun Teahouse Sichuan Opera Ticket:
$34
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3-Hour Walking Tour in Chengdu People's Park and Learning Mahjong:
$34
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Half Day tour Chengdu Mahjong course in Local Tea House:
$36
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Half-day Walking Tour with Local Market Trip and Vegetarian Lunch in Nunnery:
$36
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Flexible Private Chengdu Layover Tour:
$43
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Guangzhou may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Chengdu may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $3.53 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Chengdu
Also in Chengdu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Half Day Explore Chinese White Wine Distillery in Chengdu:
$128
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guangzhou and Chengdu, we can see that Guangzhou is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou than you might in Chengdu.
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