Which place is cheaper, Ise or Guilin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guilin or Ise?
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 Ise can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guilin or Ise?
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.
Ise
A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuilin $69Ise $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $69, while the average daily cost in Ise is $96. 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 Ise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuilin $35Ise $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuilin $70Ise $90
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Ise
Looking for a hotel in Guilin or Ise? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ise Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guilin $5.92Ise $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- 2-hours Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat Tour with the Round-way Private Transfers: $83
- Guilin Airport to Yangshuo: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $190
- Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $59
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
- Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $59
- Haikou Meilan Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer, Pick up: $75
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Haikou Airport Transfer: $50
- Live Show of Impression Liu San Jie including the Transfer Services: $102
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Yangshuo Hotel: $45
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Ise?
Prices for flights to both Ise 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 $23Ise $26
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$1.42
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guilin $28Ise $6.28
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:
- 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
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide: $52
- One Day Private Longji Rice Terraces with Minority village tour: $52
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- Guilin Classic Li River Day Tour with Xianggong Hill : $55
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $61
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- 1-DAy Private Guilin -Li River Cruise-Yangshuo Highlights tour: $70
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $70
- Guilin Tour Guide Service : $72
- Yangshuo Old Town and 3 star Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
Tours and Activities in Ise
Here are a few actual costs in Ise for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shirataki Takigyo Waterfall Meditation Experience in Toba: $30
- Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour(Ise-Shima): $41
- Ise Grand Shrine Private Guided Tour: $101
- Toba Private Customized Half Day Tour: $171
- Tour to recreate the Ise pilgrimage of the Edo (1600s A.D.): $201
- Toba Private Customized Full Day Tour: $274
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuilin $5.88Ise $4.87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Ise, we can see that Ise 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 Ise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ise 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 Ise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guilin or Ise?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ise. When comparing the sizes of Guilin and Ise, 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 Ise?
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 Ise in the Summer?
Both Ise and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Ise in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Guilin is a little warmer than Ise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guilin in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Ise averages at about 26°C (79°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. It's quite rainy in Guilin. In July, Guilin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ise. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Ise receives 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuilin 30°C (86°F)Ise 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Ise in the Autumn?
Both Ise and Guilin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Ise for the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Guilin is generally a little warmer than Ise. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 23°C (73°F), and Ise fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Ise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Guilin usually gets less rain in October than Ise. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ise receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuilin 23°C (73°F)Ise 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Ise in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Ise. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Ise because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Ise can be very cold. Guilin is much warmer than Ise in the winter. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Ise fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
In January, Guilin usually receives more rain than Ise. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ise receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuilin 10°C (49°F)Ise 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Ise in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Ise. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Ise this time of year.
In the spring, Guilin is much warmer than Ise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guilin in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Ise averages at about 13°C (56°F).
It's quite rainy in Ise. Guilin receives a lot of rain in the spring. Guilin usually gets more rain in April than Ise. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Ise receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuilin 20°C (68°F)Ise 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Ise and Guilin
| Guilin | Ise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.