A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guilin vs. Kanazawa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guilin or Kanazawa?

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 Kanazawa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Guilin or Kanazawa?

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.

Kanazawa

An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa or Guilin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Guilin Prices
    China Prices
    Kanazawa Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Guilin $84
    Kanazawa $131

The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $84, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $131. 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 Kanazawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guilin $35
    Kanazawa $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guilin $70
    Kanazawa $132
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Kanazawa

Looking for a hotel in Guilin or Kanazawa? 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.

Hotels in Guilin


Hotels in Kanazawa


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: Kanazawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guilin $5.85
    Kanazawa $9.66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $2.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:

  • Private Transfer from/to Zhangjiajie to Guilin: $387
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
  • Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
  • Guilin Airport to Yangshuo: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $190
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
  • Private Transfer from Haikou (HAK) airport to/from Sanya hotel: $120
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $120
  • Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Airport to Hotel Roundtrip: $99
  • 2-hours Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat Tour with the Round-way Private Transfers: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Kanazawa?

Prices for flights to both Kanazawa 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Guilin $39
    Kanazawa $58
Typical Food Prices in Guilin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:


  • Fresh Coconut Drink
    $1.40

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
  • Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa

For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Japanese Cooking and Sushi-Making Lesson: $101
  • traditional Japanese & sushi cooking classes: $103
  • Fishing Experience with Gyotaku and Cooking: $422

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guilin $28
    Kanazawa $10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin

Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • 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:

  • 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
  • Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour with the Ping'an and Dazhai Village: $209
  • 1 Day Congjiang Ethnic Dong Village Private Tour from Guilin: $219
  • 1 Day Guilin Sanjiang Tour to Dong Villages: $169
  • 1 Day Guilin Tour: Village Visit, Waterfall Viewing, Hiking: $230
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Biking Adventure: $72
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide: $209
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $209
  • 1 Day Private Cruise Tour at Li River from Guilin with Biking: $198
  • 1 Day Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Village Tour: $202
  • 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $172
  • 1 Day Relaxing Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Tour: $205

Tours and Activities in Kanazawa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.

  • Rental Kimono Selfie Photo Experience: $21
  • Ring making experience  Completed in about 1 hour! : $23
  • Private Ring Craft Experience in Kanazawa: $23
  • Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Moon: $23
  • Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Color: $27
  • Tea Ceremony Experience at Kenrokuen: $30
  • Kanazawa:Traditional Experience -kimono rent at wargo: $33
  • Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience: $37
  • 2-Hour Private Tour of Omicho Market with Tastings: $54
  • Private Custom Tour with Local Guide: $54
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local: $55
  • Market Tastings and Castle Town Adventure in Kanazawa: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guilin $5.81
    Kanazawa $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Kanazawa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kanazawa:

  • Kanazawa Historic Brewery: Fermentation Tour, Tasting, Lunch: $81


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Guilin or Kanazawa?

Guilin has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Kanazawa. When comparing the sizes of Guilin and Kanazawa, 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 Kanazawa?

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 Guilin or Kanazawa in the Summer?

Both Kanazawa and Guilin during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year.

Guilin is a little warmer than Kanazawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. Guilin usually gets less rain in July than Kanazawa. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Guilin 30°C (86°F) 
    Kanazawa 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Kanazawa. Also, many travelers come to Kanazawa for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Guilin is a little warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Guilin in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Guilin usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Guilin 23°C (73°F) 
    Kanazawa 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Kanazawa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Kanazawa. Also, many visitors come to Kanazawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kanazawa can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Guilin is generally much warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 10°C (49°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Guilin usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Guilin 10°C (49°F) 
    Kanazawa 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Kanazawa in the Spring?

Both Kanazawa and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Guilin is much warmer than Kanazawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. It's quite rainy in Guilin. In April, Guilin usually receives more rain than Kanazawa. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Guilin 20°C (68°F) 
    Kanazawa 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Guilin

Guilin Kanazawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 3°C (38°F) 294 mm (11.6 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 3°C (38°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 202 mm (8 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 251 mm (9.9 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 248 mm (9.8 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 17°C (62°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 306 mm (12 in)