A Travel Price Comparison for China Nanjing vs. Longsheng for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nanjing or Longsheng?

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

Should I visit Nanjing or Longsheng? 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 Longsheng?

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.

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.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Longsheng or Nanjing?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, while the average daily cost in Longsheng is $79. 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 Longsheng in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nanjing $46
    Longsheng $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nanjing $92
    Longsheng $40
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Longsheng

Looking for a hotel in Nanjing or Longsheng? 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 Nanjing


Hotels in Longsheng


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.
    Nanjing $39
    Longsheng $42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:

  • Private Day Tour: Nanjing City Highlights with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $232
  • Nanjing Lukou Int Airport (NKG): Private Transfer to Nanjing: $178
  • Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfers: $163
  • Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $120
  • Nanjing Private Transfer from Nanjing central to Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG): $116
  • Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to Zhenjiang City: $110
  • Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
  • Nanjing to Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $90
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
  • Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78
  • Nanjing Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) to Nanjing hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $66
  • Nanjing Lukou Airport Chauffeur Service, Nanjing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Longsheng?

Prices for flights to both Longsheng 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nanjing $28
    Longsheng $35

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
  • Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
  • Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nanjing $9.33
    Longsheng $8.44

Tours and Activities in Nanjing

Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
  • 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
  • 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
  • 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Nanjing Jiming Temple, Ming City Wall, Xuanwu Lake: $147
  • 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
  • All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
  • Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
  • Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
  • Flexible Suzhou Private Day Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train: $245
  • Flexible Yangzhou Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $212
  • Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nanjing $9.53
    Longsheng $7.94


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanjing and Longsheng, we can see that Nanjing is more expensive. And not only is Longsheng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Longsheng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Longsheng 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 Longsheng.

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



When is the best time to visit Nanjing or Longsheng?

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 Nanjing or Longsheng in the Summer?

Both Longsheng and Nanjing during the summer are popular places to visit.

Nanjing is around the same temperature as Longsheng in the summer. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Longsheng fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

Longsheng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanjing. Nanjing usually gets less rain in July than Longsheng. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nanjing 28°C (83°F) 
    Longsheng 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Longsheng in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Longsheng.

In the autumn, Nanjing is cooler than Longsheng. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nanjing in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Longsheng averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In October, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Longsheng. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nanjing 17°C (63°F) 
    Longsheng 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Longsheng in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Longsheng.

It's quite cold in Nanjing in the winter. In January, Nanjing is generally much colder than Longsheng. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 3°C (37°F), and Longsheng fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Nanjing usually gets less rain in January than Longsheng. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nanjing 3°C (37°F) 
    Longsheng 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Longsheng in the Spring?

Both Longsheng and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Nanjing is cooler than Longsheng in the spring. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Longsheng fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Longsheng. It's quite rainy in Nanjing. In April, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Longsheng. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nanjing 15°C (60°F) 
    Longsheng 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Longsheng and Nanjing

Nanjing Longsheng
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)