Which place is cheaper, Shenyang or Guangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guangzhou or Shenyang?
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 Shenyang can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Shenyang?
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.
Shenyang
Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!
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 $89Shenyang $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $89, while the average daily cost in Shenyang is $70. 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 Shenyang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuangzhou $57Shenyang $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuangzhou $114Shenyang $82
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Shenyang
Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou or Shenyang? 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 $14Shenyang $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Zhuhai City Private Arrival Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport : $108
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Guangzhou HTL-APT (CAN): $62
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Guangzhou APT-HTL (CAN): $62
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou city hotels to Shekou Cruise Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou City Center to South Railway Station: $49
- Private Departure Transfer in English-speaking: Hotel to Airport: $99
- Private Day Tour to Zhuhai from Guangzhou by Private Transfer: $300
- Private Baiyun Airport Transfer to Guangzhou Railway or East Railway Station: $49
- Private Baiyun Airport Arrival Transfer to Guangzhou South Railway Station : $53
- Private Baiyun Airport Arrival Transfer to Guangzhou City Area: $49
- Private Baiyun Airport Arrival Transfer to Canton Fair Pazhou Complex: $49
- Private Airport Transfer: Guangzhou Airport to Hotel up to 5pax: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Shenyang?
Prices for flights to both Shenyang 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 $19Shenyang $18
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 $18Shenyang $7.70
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuangzhou $14Shenyang $5.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guangzhou and Shenyang, we can see that Guangzhou is more expensive. And not only is Shenyang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shenyang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shenyang 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 Shenyang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Shenyang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Shenyang?
Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Guangzhou. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou and Shenyang, 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 Shenyang?
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 Shenyang in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guangzhou as well as Shenyang.
In the summer, Guangzhou is a little warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guangzhou in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Shenyang averages at about 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shenyang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Guangzhou this time of the year. In the summer, Guangzhou often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang. Guangzhou gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 214 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Shenyang. Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guangzhou usually gets more rain in July than Shenyang. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuangzhou 29°C (84°F)Shenyang 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Shenyang in the Autumn?
Both Shenyang and Guangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In October, Guangzhou is generally much warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 25°C (76°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Shenyang. Guangzhou usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during autumn. Guangzhou gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuangzhou 25°C (76°F)Shenyang 10°C (51°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Shenyang in the Winter?
Both Shenyang and Guangzhou during the winter are popular places to visit.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Shenyang. Guangzhou is much warmer than Shenyang in the winter. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Shenyang fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).
In the winter, Guangzhou often gets less sunshine than Shenyang. Guangzhou gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 167 hours of full sun.
Guangzhou usually gets more rain in January than Shenyang. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuangzhou 14°C (58°F)Shenyang -11°C (13°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Shenyang in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guangzhou and Shenyang.
In the spring, Guangzhou is much warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guangzhou in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Shenyang averages at about 10°C (50°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenyang this time of the year. Guangzhou usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during spring. Guangzhou gets 78 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 241 hours of full sun in the spring.
Guangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuangzhou 22°C (72°F)Shenyang 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Shenyang and Guangzhou
| Guangzhou | Shenyang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | -11°C (13°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.