A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hat Yai vs. Dalian for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hat Yai or Dalian?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Dalian can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Hat Yai or Dalian?

Hat Yai

The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.

Dalian

Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Dalian, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian than you might in Hat Yai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hat Yai Expensive? and Is Dalian Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Dalian?

Dalian has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Dalian, 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 Hat Yai or Dalian?

Dalian has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hat Yai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Dalian in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Dalian. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Hat Yai is a little warmer than Dalian in the summer. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Dalian fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite rainy in Dalian. Hat Yai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in July than Dalian. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Dalian in the Autumn?

Both Dalian and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year.

In the autumn, Hat Yai is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hat Yai in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Dalian averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In October, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Dalian. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Hat Yai is May to December.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Dalian in the Winter?

Both Dalian and Hat Yai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The weather in Dalian can be very cold. In January, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Dalian fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in January than Dalian. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. January to April is the dry season in Hat Yai.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Dalian in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Dalian. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round.

Hat Yai is much warmer than Dalian in the spring. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 30°C (85°F) in April, and Dalian fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In April, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Dalian. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.

Typical Weather for Dalian and Hat Yai