Which place is cheaper, Dalian or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Dalian?
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 Pai and Dalian. 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: Pai or Dalian?
Pai
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Dalian $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Dalian is $103. 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 Pai and Dalian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Dalian $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Dalian $108
Compare Hotels in Pai and Dalian
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Dalian? 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: Pai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Dalian $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
- Dalian Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Dalian?
Prices for flights to both Dalian and Pai 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 dayPai $21Dalian $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Dalian $4.78
Tours and Activities in Pai
For Pai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jungle Tipsy Tubing Experience with Shots: $6.76
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Dalian $6.31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Dalian, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pai 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian than you might in Pai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Dalian Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Dalian?
Dalian has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Pai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Pai or Dalian in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Dalian. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
In July, Pai is generally a little warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Dalian receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dalian. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Dalian 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Pai or Dalian in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pai as well as Dalian. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Pai is much warmer than Dalian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Dalian fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai usually gets more rain in October than Dalian. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Dalian 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Pai or Dalian in the Winter?
Both Dalian and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.
Dalian can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Dalian averages at about -4°C (25°F).
In January, Pai usually receives more rain than Dalian. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Dalian -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Pai or Dalian in the Spring?
Both Dalian and Pai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Pai usually gets more rain in April than Dalian. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Dalian 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Dalian and Pai
| Pai | Dalian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.