Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nanjing or Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Guilin? 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: Nanjing or Guilin?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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 The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNanjing $96Guilin $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, 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 Nanjing and Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $46Guilin $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $92Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing 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.Nanjing $38Guilin $5.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Transfer from City Center: $32
- Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Arrival Private Transfer : $36
- Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $72
- Nanjing Lukou Airport Chauffeur Service, Nanjing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $63
- Nanjing Lukou Int Airport (NKG): Private Transfer to Nanjing: $175
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $45
- Nanjing Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) to Nanjing hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $65
- Nanjing Private Round Trip Transfer to Niushoushan Cultural Park: $67
- Nanjing Private Transfer from Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG) to central Nanjing: $114
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Transfer to Lukou International Airport: $45
- Nanjing Tangshan Hot Spring Spa Experience with Private Transfer: $103
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:
- 2-hours Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat Tour with the Round-way Private Transfers: $83
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dongguan Transfer: $71
- Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Airport to Hotel Roundtrip: $99
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $57
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
- Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $57
- Haikou Meilan Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer, Pick up: $75
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Haikou Airport Transfer: $56
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer: $50
- One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $43
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Airport to Hotel in Yangshuo: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $28Guilin $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
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.Nanjing $9.28Guilin $28
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Nanjing Self-Guided Day Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $70
- Private Amazing Nanjing City Day Tour in Your Way: $75
- Nanjing Private English Tour Guide Service: $75
- Nanjing Professional English Tour Guide Service: $91
- Half-Day Nanjing Purple Mountain Private Tour in Your Way: $94
- Yangzhou Self-Guided Tour from Nanjing with Private Car and Driver Service : $94
- Zhenjiang Self-Guided Tour from Nanjing with Private Car and Driver service : $101
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- Nanjing Private Night Tour: Confucian Temple Area, Ming City Wall, Laomendong: $116
- Nanjing Private Flexible Day Tour with Ancient and Modern History: $119
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:
- Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terrace 4 days tour: $21
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
- 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
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- Li River Cruise Ticket Booking (E-ticket & Seat Reservation): $54
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $59
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- Private Bike Tour: Yangshuo Countryside: $72
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide: $72
- Yangshuo Old Town and Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
- One Day Private Longshen Rice Terraces Tour Including Lunch: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.48Guilin $5.73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanjing and Guilin, we can see that Nanjing 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 Nanjing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nanjing 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 Nanjing Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Guilin?
Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Guilin. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing and Guilin, 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 Nanjing 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 Nanjing or Guilin in the Summer?
Both Guilin and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In July, Nanjing is generally around the same temperature as Guilin. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 28°C (83°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. It's quite rainy in Nanjing. In July, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Guilin. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNanjing 28°C (83°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Guilin in the Autumn?
Both Guilin and Nanjing during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Nanjing is cooler than Guilin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Nanjing usually gets less rain in October than Guilin. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNanjing 17°C (63°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Guilin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Guilin.
Nanjing can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Nanjing is much colder than Guilin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nanjing in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Guilin averages at about 10°C (49°F).
In January, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Guilin. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNanjing 3°C (37°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Guilin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Guilin.
In April, Nanjing is generally cooler than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 15°C (60°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Guilin. Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nanjing usually gets less rain in April than Guilin. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNanjing 15°C (60°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 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.