Which place is cheaper, Dalian or Guangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guangzhou or Dalian?
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 Guangzhou and Dalian can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Dalian?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuangzhou $89Dalian $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $89, while the average daily cost in Dalian is $103. 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 Guangzhou and Dalian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuangzhou $57Dalian $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuangzhou $114Dalian $108
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Dalian
Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou or Dalian? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guangzhou $14Dalian $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Private Day Tour to Zhuhai from Guangzhou by Private Transfer: $300
- Private Airport Transfer: Guangzhou Airport to Hotel up to 15pax: $170
- Pearl River Night Cruise with Private Transfers in Guangzhou: $129
- Private Airport Transfer: Guangzhou Airport to Hotel up to 5pax: $120
- Zhuhai City Private Arrival Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport : $108
- Private Departure Transfer in English-speaking: Hotel to Airport: $99
- Guangzhou Night Pearl River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer: $96
- Guangzhou Private Transfer from Guangzhou central to Guangzhou Airport (CAN): $85
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , To Guangzhou Transfer,Pickup: $71
- Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $70
- Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou with Private Transfer: $69
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33
- Dalian Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Dalian?
Prices for flights to both Dalian and Guangzhou 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
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Food Meals for one dayGuangzhou $19Dalian $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood: $65
- Guangzhou walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $100
- Yum Cha Dim Sum Dinner and Pearl River Night Cruise Private Tour : $110
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- 3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit : $165
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guangzhou $18Dalian $4.79
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- 1 Day Historical Guangzhou Layover Tour from Airport: $260
- 1-Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private City Tour: $185
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King & Academy of Clan Chen in Guangzhou: $91
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- Ancient Foshan Day Tour from Guangzhou: $201
- Big Buddha Lotus Hill Ancient Quarry Seagull Island Private Tour : $300
- Big Buddha Mountain Martial Art Culture Countryside Private Tour: $220
- Canton Tower and Pearl River Cruise Private Guangzhou Day Tour: $180
- China Education Culture University Campus Lifestyle Private Tour: $180
- Chinese Classical Garden and Ancient Water Village Private Tour: $220
- Customised Private Guangzhou City Tour with Flexible Itinerary: $180
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuangzhou $14Dalian $6.32
When comparing the travel costs between Guangzhou and Dalian, 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Dalian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Dalian?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Dalian. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou and Dalian, 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 Guangzhou or Dalian?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Guangzhou or Dalian in the Summer?
Both Dalian and Guangzhou during the summer are popular places to visit.
In July, Guangzhou is generally a little warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 29°C (84°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Dalian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guangzhou. Guangzhou usually gets more rain in July than Dalian. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuangzhou 29°C (84°F)Dalian 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Dalian in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Guangzhou and Dalian.
Guangzhou is much warmer than Dalian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 25°C (76°F) in October, and Dalian fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
In October, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Dalian. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuangzhou 25°C (76°F)Dalian 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Dalian in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Guangzhou as well as Dalian.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Dalian. In the winter, Guangzhou is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guangzhou in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Dalian averages at about -4°C (25°F).
Guangzhou usually gets more rain in January than Dalian. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuangzhou 14°C (58°F)Dalian -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Dalian in the Spring?
Both Dalian and Guangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Guangzhou is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 22°C (72°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite rainy in Guangzhou. In April, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Dalian. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuangzhou 22°C (72°F)Dalian 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Dalian and Guangzhou
| Guangzhou | Dalian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.