A Travel Price Comparison for China Qingdao vs. Datong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Qingdao or Datong?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Datong, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Qingdao or Datong?

Qingdao

Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.

Datong

If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.


Which place is cheaper, Datong or Qingdao?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $59, while the average daily cost in Datong is $57. 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 Qingdao and Datong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Qingdao $27
    Datong $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Qingdao $54
    Datong $46
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Datong

Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Datong? 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 Qingdao


Hotels in Datong


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.
    Qingdao $12
    Datong $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao

Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $86
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $86
  • Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
  • Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong

Also for Datong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35
  • Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Hanging Temple and Hengshan from Datong: $118
  • Private One Way Transfer from Datong to Beijing : $211
  • Flexible Private Transfer Service from Datong to Pingyao with Sightseeing Stops: $225
  • Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer to Hanging Temple: $98
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12
  • Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
  • Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Datong?

Prices for flights to both Datong and Qingdao 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
    Qingdao $20
    Datong $20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Qingdao $21
    Datong $25

Tours and Activities in Qingdao

For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
  • Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
  • Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $245
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
  • Private Qingdao city tour with Qingdao beer and Lunch: $240
  • Private Qingdao highlights city tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
  • Private tour Qingdao laoshan with round way cable car lunch: $190
  • Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
  • Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
  • Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268

Tours and Activities in Datong

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.

  • 1-Day Pingyao tour from Datong and ends of Beijing or Xi'an by Bullet Train: $267
  • 1-Day Private Tour: Datong Highlights with the Lunch: $215
  • 2-Day Dadong Tour Including Tickets: $520
  • 2-Day Private Datong Tour:Hanging Temple, Yugang Grottoes,Wooden Pagoda and More: $298
  • 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
  • All Inclusive Datong Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes : $268
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple at Hengshan from Datong : $188
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour to Wooden Pagoda and Hanging Temple from Datong: $220
  • All-Inclusive Private Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple from Datong: $220
  • Black Myth Wukong Actual Locations 6-Day Shanxi Private Tour: $1,224
  • Datong Classic Day Tour: $135
  • Datong Day Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple: $203

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Qingdao $14
    Datong $12


When comparing the travel costs between Qingdao and Datong, we can see that Qingdao 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 Qingdao Expensive? and Is Datong Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Datong?

Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Datong. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Datong, 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.