Which place is cheaper, Longsheng or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Longsheng?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Longsheng? 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: Sandakan or Longsheng?
Sandakan
Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.
Longsheng
A county of the city, Guilin, Longsheng is a hub of several ethnic cultures that thrive on farming and tourism. It is located about 50 or so miles north of the Guilin city center. The region is perhaps most known for the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces located in Heping Township. These, along with many other natural features like hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows are a few of the main attractions that draw visitors to Longsheng.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $67Longsheng $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $67, while the average daily cost in Longsheng is $80. 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 Sandakan and Longsheng in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Longsheng $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Longsheng $42
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Longsheng
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Longsheng? 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: Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $38Longsheng $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Longsheng?
Prices for flights to both Longsheng and Sandakan 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 daySandakan $21Longsheng $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sandakan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sandakan.
- Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.31Longsheng $8.61
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $112
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $205
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $256
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $51
- Kinabatangan River Wildlife Cruise with Lunch: $192
- Orangutan Sanctuary Shared Day Trip Tour: $340
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.62Longsheng $8.11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Longsheng, we can see that Longsheng is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sandakan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sandakan 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 Longsheng would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Longsheng than you might in Sandakan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sandakan Expensive? and Is Longsheng Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sandakan or Longsheng?
Longsheng has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Sandakan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sandakan or Longsheng in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Longsheng. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Longsheng in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Longsheng fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Longsheng. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Longsheng. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Longsheng 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Longsheng in the Autumn?
Both Longsheng and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
In the autumn, Sandakan is a little warmer than Longsheng. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Longsheng averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Longsheng. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Longsheng 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Longsheng in the Winter?
Both Longsheng and Sandakan during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Longsheng. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Longsheng fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Longsheng. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Longsheng 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Longsheng in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Longsheng. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
Sandakan is a little warmer than Longsheng in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Longsheng fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Longsheng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Longsheng. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Longsheng 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Longsheng and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Longsheng | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 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.