A Travel Price Comparison for China Hongcun vs. Guilin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hongcun or Guilin?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Guilin 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: Hongcun or Guilin?

Hongcun

When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.

The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Hongcun?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $53, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $67. 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 Hongcun and Guilin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hongcun $23
    Guilin $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hongcun $46
    Guilin $70
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Guilin

Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Guilin? 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 Hongcun


Hotels in Guilin


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hongcun $12
    Guilin $5.80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin

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


  • Taxi
    $2.78

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
  • [Airport Transfer] Haikou Airport ⇔ Haikou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter> *: $23
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
  • Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
  • Private Airport Transfer:Guilin Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport: $35
  • Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
  • Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
  • Transfer from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Guilin City Center: $41
  • Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
  • One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $43
  • Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Yangshuo Hotel: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Guilin?

Prices for flights to both Guilin and Hongcun 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
    Hongcun $19
    Guilin $23
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.86
  • Breakfast of Dumplings
    $2.08

Typical Food Prices in Guilin

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


  • Fresh Coconut Drink
    $1.39

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
  • Yangshuo Country Life Experience with Cooking Class like a Local: $108
  • Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hongcun $17
    Guilin $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Two Entrance Tickets
    $29

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:

  • Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terrace 4 days tour: $21
  • 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
  • Li River Cruise Ticket Booking (Free Ticket Delivery & Seat Reservation): $54
  • Yangshuo Old Town and Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
  • One Day Private Longshen Rice Terraces Tour Including Lunch: $73
  • Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Mountain Sunrise Private Tour: $77
  • 1-Day Longji Terrace Fields-Pingan village Tour with the English Speaking Driver: $79
  • 1-Day Longji Terrace Fields-Dazhai village Tour with the English Speaking Driver: $79
  • Top Guilin Private & Custom Tours : $79
  • Li River 4 Star Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo Day Tour: $84
  • Private Tour: Yao Mountain and Tea Plantation from Guilin: $84

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hongcun $14
    Guilin $5.76


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

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



When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Guilin?

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 Hongcun or Guilin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Guilin.

In the summer, Hongcun is around the same temperature as Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hongcun in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).

Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Guilin. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hongcun 29°C (85°F) 
    Guilin 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Guilin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Guilin.

In October, Hongcun is generally cooler than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 19°C (65°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Hongcun usually gets less rain in October than Guilin. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hongcun 19°C (65°F) 
    Guilin 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Guilin in the Winter?

Both Guilin and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

The weather in Hongcun can be very cold. Hongcun is much colder than Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In January, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Guilin. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hongcun 4°C (40°F) 
    Guilin 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Guilin in the Spring?

Both Guilin and Hongcun during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Hongcun is cooler than Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hongcun in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. Hongcun usually gets less rain in April than Guilin. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hongcun 17°C (62°F) 
    Guilin 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Guilin and Hongcun

Hongcun Guilin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in)
May 22°C (71°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 235 mm (9.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 121 mm (4.7 in) 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)