Which place is cheaper, Datong or Guangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guangzhou or Datong?
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 Datong can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Datong?
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.
Datong
If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.
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 $88Datong $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $88, while the average daily cost in Datong is $55. 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 Datong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuangzhou $57Datong $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuangzhou $114Datong $46
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Datong
Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou or Datong? 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 $14Datong $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Shenzhen Day Tour from Guangzhou by Round Way Private Transfer: $255
- Pearl River Night Cruise with Private Transfers in Guangzhou: $129
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Dongguan Transfer: $120
- Zhuhai City Private Arrival Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport : $108
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Shenzhen Transfer: $100
- Fast Train Ticket from Guangzhou to Hong Kong with Station Transfer in Guanghou: $95
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Hotel to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport: $88
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Hotel: $88
- Guangzhou Airport Transfer by 6 seat mpv: $74
- Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $70
- Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou with Private Transfer: $69
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Int Airport (CAN) to Shekou Port: $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong
Also for Datong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128
- Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12
- Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
- Flexible Private Transfer Service from Datong to Pingyao with Sightseeing Stops: $225
- Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Hanging Temple and Hengshan from Datong: $118
- Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
- Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Datong?
Prices for flights to both Datong 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 $19Datong $20
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
- Yum Cha Dim Sum Dinner and Pearl River Night Cruise Private Tour : $94
- Private Evening Food Tour with Pearl River Cruise: $107
- Private Guangzhou Evening Food Tour with Pearl River Night Cruise: $119
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $130
- 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
- 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
- Private City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $215
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guangzhou $18Datong $25
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
- Private Tour of Foshan: The Ancestral Temple and Other Options from Guangzhou : $167
- 1 Day Guangzhou City Highlight Layover Tour from Airport: $276
- 1-Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private City Tour: $185
- 4 Hours Half Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private Tour: $145
- 4-Hour Chinese Tea Culture Tea Ceremony Tea Market Private Tour: $130
- 4-Hour Private Flexible Guangzhou City Tour with Dim-Sum Option: $95
- 5-Hour Flexible Private Guangzhou City Tour with Dim-Sum Options: $130
- 6-Hour Private Tour for Layover Travellers via Guangzhou Airport: $145
- 7-Hour Customised Private Guangzhou Sightseeing and Shopping Tour: $153
- 9-Hour Gulong Gorge and Huangteng Gorge Glass Bridge Private Tour: $159
- 9-Hour Opium War Museum History Relic Private Tour from Guangzhou: $187
Tours and Activities in Datong
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.
- Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $22
- Datong Private Self-guided Tour with Chartered Car: $26
- 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
- Private Datong Day Tour Arranged by Local Tour Guide Nancy: $129
- Datong Classic Day Tour: $135
- Private city tour Datong Yungang grottoes and Huayan Monastery: $160
- Private day tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple& lunch: $180
- Private Tour: Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery From Datong: $186
- Datong Private Day Tour to Deshengbu and Zhenchuankou Great Wall with Lunch: $190
- Datong Day Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple: $203
- One Day Classic Datong Tour: $215
- 1-Day Private Tour: Datong Highlights with the Lunch: $215
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuangzhou $14Datong $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guangzhou and Datong, we can see that Guangzhou is more expensive. And not only is Datong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Datong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Datong 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 Datong.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Datong Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Datong?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Datong. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou and Datong, 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.
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.