Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Guilin, 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 Guilin?
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.
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $58Guilin $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $67. 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 Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Guilin $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Guilin? 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.Qingdao $12Guilin $5.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- [Airport Transfer] Haikou Airport ⇔ Haikou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter> *: $23
- Transfer from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Guilin City Center: $41
- Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
- Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $197
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin 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
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Food Meals for one dayQingdao $20Guilin $22
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Guilin $28
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
- Full-Day Guilin Li-River Cruise with 4 star boat and Reed Flute Cave Tour: $262
- Full-Day Yangshuo Sunrise and Li-River cruise with the 4 Star Boat Private Tour: $272
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour with the Ping'an and Dazhai Village: $209
- 1 Day Guilin to Yangshuo with top scenery & culture private tour : $79
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $219
- 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $169
- 1 Day Relaxing Li River Cruise Private Tour with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room: $251
- 1 Day Relaxing Li River Cruise With The 4 Star Luxury Boat lower Deck Seating: $225
- 1 Day Yangshuo Countryside Hiking along the Yulong river Private Tour: $103
- 1 Day Yangshuo private Day Tour with the Scooter: $105
- 1 day Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Countryside with Scooter Private Tour: $204
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Guilin $5.73
When comparing the travel costs between Qingdao and Guilin, we can see that Guilin 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 Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Guilin?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Guilin. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Guilin, 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 Qingdao or Guilin?
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 Qingdao or Guilin in the Summer?
Both Guilin and Qingdao during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Qingdao is cooler than Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Qingdao in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).
Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Qingdao. Qingdao usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Guilin. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyQingdao 25°C (77°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Guilin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Guilin.
In October, Qingdao is generally cooler than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 17°C (62°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Guilin. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQingdao 17°C (62°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Guilin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Guilin.
It's quite cold in Qingdao in the winter. Qingdao is much colder than Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around -0°C (32°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Qingdao usually gets less rain in January than Guilin. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQingdao -0°C (32°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Guilin in the Spring?
Both Guilin and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Qingdao is much colder than Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Qingdao in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. In April, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Guilin. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilQingdao 12°C (53°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.