Which place is cheaper, Shenyang or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Shenyang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Shenyang? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Kota Kinabalu or Shenyang?
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.
Shenyang
Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Shenyang $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Shenyang is $70. 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 Kota Kinabalu and Shenyang in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Shenyang $41
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Shenyang $82
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Shenyang
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Shenyang? 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: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Shenyang $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Shenyang?
Prices for flights to both Shenyang and Kota Kinabalu 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 dayKota Kinabalu $15Shenyang $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Private Kinabalu Night Tour with Cultural Show and Dinner: $62
- Kota Kinabalu K2 Fireflies Sunset River Cruise Tour with Dinner: $86
- Half Day Klias Mangrove Wildlife and Fireflies with dinner: $128
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Shenyang $7.69
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Borneo Combo Adventure: $200
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Cultural Night Tour From Kota Kinabalu : $64
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour: $149
- Discover Sailing Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $75
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu River White Water Rafting Tour: $131
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Full Day River Rafting with ATV Adventure in Kiulu : $293
- Full Day Tour in Mantanani: $140
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Shenyang $5.82
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Shenyang, we can see that Shenyang is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kota Kinabalu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kota Kinabalu 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 Shenyang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenyang than you might in Kota Kinabalu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive? and Is Shenyang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Shenyang?
Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Shenyang, 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 Kota Kinabalu or Shenyang?
Shenyang has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kota Kinabalu experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Shenyang in the Summer?
Both Shenyang and Kota Kinabalu during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Shenyang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 214 hours of full sun.
Shenyang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Shenyang. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Shenyang 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Shenyang in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Shenyang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Shenyang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenyang this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Shenyang 10°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Shenyang in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Shenyang. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Shenyang can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Shenyang averages at about -11°C (13°F).
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Shenyang. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 167 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Shenyang. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Shenyang -11°C (13°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Shenyang in the Spring?
Both Shenyang and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
It's quite sunny in Shenyang. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 241 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Shenyang 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Shenyang and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Shenyang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | -11°C (13°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.