Which place is cheaper, Matsue or Guilin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Guilin or Matsue?
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 Matsue can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guilin or Matsue?
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.
Matsue
Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
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Guilin Prices
China PricesMatsue Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuilin $84Matsue $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $84, while the average daily cost in Matsue is $88. 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 Matsue in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuilin $35Matsue $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuilin $70Matsue $54
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Matsue
Looking for a hotel in Guilin or Matsue? 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: Matsue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guilin $5.85Matsue $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.80
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 Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $18
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
- Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $58
- Haikou Meilan Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer, Pick up: $54
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Haikou Airport Transfer: $50
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer: $50
- One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Yangshuo: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Matsue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Matsue:
- Private Transfer Yonago Airport: $62
Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Matsue?
Prices for flights to both Matsue 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 $39Matsue $49
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$1.40
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
- Wukong Guilin Neighborhood Food Tour: $65
- Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guilin $28Matsue $9.13
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:
- City Tour with Elephant Hill & Ming Tea Tasting: $46
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide(beginner friendly): $51
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- 1-Day tour of Guilin-LiRiver cruise-Yangshuo Xianggong hill : $55
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $60
- Guilin English tour guide service : $62
- Private day tours: ancient zhuang rice terraces hiking to PingAn : $66
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- Li River Cruise ticket from Guilin to Yangshuo with pickup: $72
- Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo Day Tour: $72
- Fully-Guided Private Day Tour of Longji Terraces From Guilin: $72
Tours and Activities in Matsue
Here are a few actual costs in Matsue for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour around Matsue Horikawa: $11
- Private Kimono Elegant Experience in the Castle Town of Matsue: $38
- Matsue 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $104
- Sakaiminato Private Tour for Shore Excursion: $300
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuilin $5.81Matsue $7.10
When comparing the travel costs between Guilin and Matsue, we can see that Matsue is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guilin Expensive? and Is Matsue Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guilin or Matsue?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Guilin and Matsue, 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 Matsue?
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 Matsue in the Summer?
Both Matsue and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Matsue in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Guilin is a little warmer than Matsue. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guilin in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Matsue averages at about 25°C (78°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Guilin. In July, Guilin usually receives less rain than Matsue. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuilin 30°C (86°F)Matsue 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Matsue in the Autumn?
Both Matsue and Guilin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Guilin is generally a little warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 23°C (73°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Guilin usually gets less rain in October than Matsue. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuilin 23°C (73°F)Matsue 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Matsue in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Matsue. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Matsue because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Matsue can be very cold. Guilin is much warmer than Matsue in the winter. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Guilin usually receives less rain than Matsue. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuilin 10°C (49°F)Matsue 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Matsue in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Matsue. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.
In the spring, Guilin is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guilin in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Matsue averages at about 13°C (55°F).
It's quite rainy in Matsue. Guilin receives a lot of rain in the spring. Guilin usually gets more rain in April than Matsue. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuilin 20°C (68°F)Matsue 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Matsue and Guilin
| Guilin | Matsue | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.