Which place is cheaper, Shenyang or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nanjing or Shenyang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing 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: Nanjing or Shenyang?
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.
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 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 $96Shenyang $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, 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 Nanjing and Shenyang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $46Shenyang $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $92Shenyang $82
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Shenyang
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $38Shenyang $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
- Tangshan Hot Spring Spa Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing City : $44
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $88
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing : $88
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to Zhenjiang City: $110
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to City Center or Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts: $46
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer from City Hotels or Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts: $45
- Private NKG Airport Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Shenyang?
Prices for flights to both Shenyang 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 $28Shenyang $18
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.28Shenyang $7.70
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 Private Tour: Sun Yatsen Mausoleum, Xiaoling Tomb and City Wall: $190
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
- All-Inclusive Nanjing Purple Mountain Scenic Area Private Day Tour: $187
- All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Flexible Private Nanjing Layover Tour: $171
- Flexible Suzhou Private Day Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train: $245
- Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.48Shenyang $5.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanjing and Shenyang, we can see that Nanjing is more expensive. And not only is Shenyang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shenyang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shenyang 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 Shenyang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Shenyang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Shenyang?
Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Nanjing. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing 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 Nanjing or Shenyang?
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 Shenyang in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Shenyang.
Nanjing is a little warmer than Shenyang in the summer. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Shenyang fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Shenyang. Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nanjing usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Shenyang. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNanjing 28°C (83°F)Shenyang 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Shenyang in the Autumn?
Both Shenyang and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Nanjing is much warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nanjing in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Shenyang averages at about 10°C (51°F).
In October, Nanjing usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNanjing 17°C (63°F)Shenyang 10°C (51°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Shenyang in the Winter?
Both Shenyang and Nanjing during the winter are popular places to visit.
Shenyang can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nanjing. In January, Nanjing is generally much warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 3°C (37°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).
Nanjing usually gets more rain in January than Shenyang. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNanjing 3°C (37°F)Shenyang -11°C (13°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Shenyang in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Shenyang.
Nanjing is much warmer than Shenyang in the spring. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nanjing usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNanjing 15°C (60°F)Shenyang 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Shenyang and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Shenyang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | -11°C (13°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (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.