Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Longsheng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Longsheng or Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Longsheng and Guilin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Longsheng or Guilin?
Longsheng
A county of the city, Guilin, Longsheng is a hub of several ethnic cultures that thrive on farming and tourism. It is located about 50 or so miles north of the Guilin city center. The region is perhaps most known for the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces located in Heping Township. These, along with many other natural features like hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows are a few of the main attractions that draw visitors to Longsheng.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLongsheng $78Guilin $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Longsheng is $78, 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 Longsheng and Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLongsheng $20Guilin $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLongsheng $40Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Longsheng and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Longsheng 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Longsheng $41Guilin $5.77
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:
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
- Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $197
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Airport to Yangshuo up to 15pax: $190
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Airport to Hotel in Yangshuo: $115
- Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Airport to Hotel Roundtrip: $99
- Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93
- 2-hours Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat Tour with the Round-way Private Transfers: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Longsheng or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin and Longsheng 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 dayLongsheng $35Guilin $22
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
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Longsheng $8.39Guilin $28
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:
- 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
- Full-Day Guilin Li-River Cruise with 4 star boat and Reed Flute Cave Tour: $262
- Full-Day Yangshuo Sunrise and Li-River cruise with the 4 Star Boat Private Tour: $272
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour with the Ping'an and Dazhai Village: $209
- 1 Day Guilin to Yangshuo with top scenery & culture private tour : $79
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $219
- 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $169
- 1 Day Relaxing Li River Cruise Private Tour with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room: $251
- 1 Day Relaxing Li River Cruise With The 4 Star Luxury Boat lower Deck Seating: $225
- 1 Day Yangshuo Countryside Hiking along the Yulong river Private Tour: $103
- 1 Day Yangshuo private Day Tour with the Scooter: $105
- 1 day Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Countryside with Scooter Private Tour: $204
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLongsheng $7.90Guilin $5.73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Longsheng and Guilin, we can see that Longsheng 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 Longsheng would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Longsheng 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 Longsheng Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Longsheng or Guilin?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Longsheng or Guilin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Longsheng as well as Guilin.
In July, Longsheng is generally around the same temperature as Guilin. Daily temperatures in Longsheng average around 30°C (86°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Guilin. Longsheng receives a lot of rain in the summer. Longsheng usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Guilin. Longsheng gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLongsheng 30°C (86°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Guilin in the Autumn?
Both Guilin and Longsheng are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Longsheng is around the same temperature as Guilin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Longsheng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Longsheng usually receives around the same amount of rain as Guilin. Longsheng gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLongsheng 23°C (73°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Guilin in the Winter?
Both Guilin and Longsheng during the winter are popular places to visit.
In the winter, Longsheng is around the same temperature as Guilin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Longsheng in January average around 10°C (49°F), and Guilin averages at about 10°C (49°F).
Longsheng usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Guilin. Longsheng gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLongsheng 10°C (49°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Guilin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Longsheng and Guilin.
In April, Longsheng is generally around the same temperature as Guilin. Daily temperatures in Longsheng average around 20°C (68°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Guilin receives a lot of rain in the spring. Longsheng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Longsheng usually receives around the same amount of rain as Guilin. Longsheng gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLongsheng 20°C (68°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Longsheng
| Longsheng | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.