Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pai or Yangshuo?
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 Yangshuo. 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 Yangshuo?
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.
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Yangshuo $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo is $72. 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 Yangshuo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Yangshuo $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Yangshuo $50
Compare Hotels in Pai and Yangshuo
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Yangshuo? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Yangshuo $42
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 Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yangshuo Rock Climbing with Hotel Transfer (3 hours): $69
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $48
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $49
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Yangshuo?
Prices for flights to both Yangshuo 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPai $21Yangshuo $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3-Hour Yangshuo Cooking Class with Yangshuo Town Shopping: $138
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Yangshuo $23
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 Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $149
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- 1-Day Longji Rice Terraces hiking tour from Guilin/Yangshuo hotel: $188
- 1-Day Tour: Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat and Ruyi Peak Cable Car: $149
- 2 Day - Longji Rice Terraces - Sunrise Hiking Tour: $280
- Full-Day Li-River Tour from Yangshuo to Yangdi With the English Speaking Driver: $159
- Full-day Tour: Longji Rice Terraces & Minority Villages: $146
- Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Private Tour: $136
- Guilin Highlight Sightseeing Private Day City Tour: $139
- Guilin Tea plantation and Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Guilin Yangshuo Day tour from Guangzhou by Round Way Bullet Train: $212
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Yangshuo $33
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Yangshuo, we can see that Yangshuo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Yangshuo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Yangshuo?
Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Yangshuo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
In the summer, Pai is around the same temperature as Yangshuo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 30°C (86°F).
Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Yangshuo 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Pai or Yangshuo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pai as well as Yangshuo. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Pai is generally a little warmer than Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai usually gets more rain in October than Yangshuo. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Yangshuo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Pai or Yangshuo in the Winter?
Both Yangshuo and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.
Pai is much warmer than Yangshuo in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Yangshuo 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Pai or Yangshuo in the Spring?
Both Yangshuo 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.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Yangshuo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 20°C (68°F).
Yangshuo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Yangshuo. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Yangshuo 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Yangshuo and Pai
| Pai | Yangshuo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.