Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Guilin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guilin or Benxi?
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 Guilin and Benxi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guilin or Benxi?
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
Benxi
Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuilin $67Benxi $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $67, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $95. 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 Guilin and Benxi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuilin $34Benxi $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuilin $68Benxi $94
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Benxi
Looking for a hotel in Guilin or Benxi? 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.Guilin $5.77Benxi $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
- [Airport Transfer] Haikou Airport ⇔ Haikou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter> *: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $43
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Yangshuo: $49
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer: $50
- Haikou Meilan Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer, Pick up: $54
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Benxi?
Prices for flights to both Benxi and Guilin 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 dayGuilin $22Benxi $30
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guilin $28Benxi $7.31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Guilin City Center Walking Group Tour at Night for Three Hours: $50
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- Li River Cruise Ticket Booking (E-ticket & Seat Reservation): $54
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $59
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- Private Bike Tour: Yangshuo Countryside: $72
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide: $72
- Yangshuo Old Town and Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
- One Day Private Longshen Rice Terraces Tour Including Lunch: $73
- Half/Full day Yangshuo Cuiping hill Sunset Private Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuilin $5.73Benxi $7.70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Benxi, we can see that Benxi is more expensive. And not only is Guilin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guilin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guilin 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 Benxi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Benxi than you might in Guilin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guilin Expensive? and Is Benxi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guilin or Benxi?
Benxi has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Guilin. When comparing the sizes of Guilin and Benxi, 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 Guilin or Benxi?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Guilin or Benxi in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Benxi.
In the summer, Guilin is a little warmer than Benxi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guilin in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Benxi averages at about 25°C (78°F).
Benxi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Guilin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Benxi. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuilin 30°C (86°F)Benxi 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Benxi in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Benxi.
In October, Guilin is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 23°C (73°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Guilin usually gets more rain in October than Benxi. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuilin 23°C (73°F)Benxi 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Benxi in the Winter?
Both Benxi and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
The weather in Benxi can be very cold. Guilin is much warmer than Benxi in the winter. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Benxi fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In January, Guilin usually receives more rain than Benxi. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuilin 10°C (49°F)Benxi -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Benxi in the Spring?
Both Benxi and Guilin during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Guilin is much warmer than Benxi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guilin in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Benxi averages at about 11°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. Guilin usually gets more rain in April than Benxi. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuilin 20°C (68°F)Benxi 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Benxi and Guilin
| Guilin | Benxi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.