Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Mandalay?
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 Mandalay or Shenzhen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Shenzhen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Mandalay or Shenzhen?
Mandalay
Located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on the banks of the Irawaddy River, Mandalay is the nation's second largest city behind Yangon. It is centered on the restored Royal Palace and has a large population of Buddhist monks who frequent the city's many temples and monasteries.
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesShenzhen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Shenzhen $149
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $149. 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 Mandalay and Shenzhen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Shenzhen $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Shenzhen $194
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Shenzhen
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Shenzhen? 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: Shenzhen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Shenzhen $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- Airport Transfer, Paleik Snake Pagoda, a little bit of Bagan and to AVA: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
- AIRPORT TRANSFER service Kowloon with Mercedes Benz: $39
- Guangzhou One Day Tour with Bullet Train Transfer from Hong Kong: $188
- HK: Lantau Priority Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car with Hotel Transfer: $54
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $101
- Hong Kong Airport Chauffeur Service, Hong Kong Airport Transfer: $66
- Hong Kong Airport Transfer Experience with Style and Comfort: $98
- Hong Kong Airport Transfer Private Chauffeur Services: $115
- Hong Kong Airport Transfer | Luxury MPV • VIP English Chauffeur: $119
- Hong Kong City to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal - Departure Private Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Shenzhen?
Prices for flights to both Shenzhen and Mandalay 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 dayMandalay $10Shenzhen $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mandalay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mandalay.
- Myanmar traditional cooking class with local: $26
- Bamboo Bike Food Tour: $42
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Shenzhen Food Tour with Locals: $46
- Hong Kong: 7-Course Hong Kong Street & Restaurant Food Tour: $59
- Best Street Food Tour With a Local Guide in Hong Kong: $94
- Hong Kong's Tin Hau Hidden Gems Food Tour with 7+ Local Tastings: $107
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $107
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $107
- Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $115
- Temple Street Night Market Tour plus Victoria Harbour Dinner Cruise: $131
- Private Authentic Hong Kong's Food Tour with 7+ Local Tastings: $159
- Hong Kong Private & Personalized Street Food Tour with a Local: $171
- Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $176
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour: $186
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Shenzhen $18
Tours and Activities in Mandalay
Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayah Villages Full Day Tour (Pan Pet & Hta Nee La): $260
- 1-night in Pyin Oo Lwin next day to Gokteik tour: $226
- 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Adventure to Dee Dote Waterfalls from Mandalay: $63
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing: $75
- Ancient Cities, Pagodas, and Sunset Tour from Mandalay: $194
- Ancient City Tour in Mandalay: $70
- Around Mandalay Tour in 2 Days: $100
- Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $130
- Full Day Adventure: $153
- Full Day Mandalay Tour: $130
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Secret Hong Kong: Hidden Local Spots Self Guided Adventure: $1.12
- Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket: $4.00
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Hong Kong: $4.57
- Skip the Line! Walk to the Peak: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
- Victoria Peak: Climb to the summit via the Mid-Levels escalato on an audio tour: $6.99
- Audio Tour of Hong Kong: Hollywood Road Loop: $6.99
- Lights, Harbour, Action! A Self-Guided Tsim Sha Tsui Walking Tour: $8.99
- Kowloon Tong: An Audio Tour of Hong Kong: $9.99
- Hong Kong Ghost Tour (Self-Guided Audio Tour): $10
- Monopoly Dreams Hong Kong Ticket Peak Galleria 4D Fun: $13
- Explore Lovely Hong Kong: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Hong Kong Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428 Tickets (Optional): $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Shenzhen $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mandalay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandalay 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Mandalay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandalay Expensive? and Is Shenzhen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Shenzhen?
Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Shenzhen. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Shenzhen, 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.
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.