Which place is cheaper, Koyasan or Guilin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guilin or Koyasan?
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 Koyasan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guilin or Koyasan?
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.
Koyasan
Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuilin $67Koyasan $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $67, while the average daily cost in Koyasan is $78. 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 Koyasan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuilin $34Koyasan $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuilin $68Koyasan $78
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Koyasan
Looking for a hotel in Guilin or Koyasan? 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: Koyasan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guilin $5.76Koyasan $33
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:
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dongguan Transfer: $71
- Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93
- Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Airport to Hotel Roundtrip: $99
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $57
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
- Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $57
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Koyasan?
Prices for flights to both Koyasan 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 $22Koyasan $19
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guilin $28Koyasan $13
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 Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terrace 4 days tour: $21
- 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
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $59
- 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
- Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Mountain Sunrise Private Tour: $77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuilin $5.72Koyasan $4.89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Koyasan, we can see that Koyasan 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 Koyasan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koyasan 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 Koyasan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Guilin or Koyasan?
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 Koyasan in the Summer?
Both Koyasan and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Koyasan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Guilin is around the same temperature as Koyasan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guilin in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Koyasan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Guilin. In July, Guilin usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuilin 30°C (86°F)Koyasan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Koyasan in the Autumn?
Both Koyasan and Guilin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Guilin is generally a little warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 23°C (73°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Guilin usually gets less rain in October than Koyasan. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuilin 23°C (73°F)Koyasan 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Koyasan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Koyasan. Furthermore, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.
Guilin is much warmer than Koyasan in the winter. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Koyasan fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
In January, Guilin usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Koyasan 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)Koyasan 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Koyasan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Koyasan. Additionally, many travelers come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Guilin is a little warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guilin in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Koyasan averages at about 15°C (59°F).
It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Guilin receives a lot of rain in the spring. Guilin usually gets more rain in April than Koyasan. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuilin 20°C (68°F)Koyasan 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Koyasan and Guilin
| Guilin | Koyasan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 208 mm (8.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.