A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sandakan vs. Shijiazhuang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sandakan or Shijiazhuang?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Shijiazhuang? 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 Shijiazhuang?

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.

Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang is the capital city of Hebei Province in China. It is a fairly young city, acting as the regional transport hub and economic center, though there are a few sights worth seeing. The city is also the largest pharmaceutical hub in China, as well as an important center for textile, IT, manufacturing, and chemical industries.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Shijiazhuang, we can see that Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Shijiazhuang?

Shijiazhuang has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Shijiazhuang, 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 Sandakan or Shijiazhuang?

Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Shijiazhuang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.

Sandakan is around the same temperature as Shijiazhuang in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Shijiazhuang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Shijiazhuang. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sandakan or Shijiazhuang in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Shijiazhuang. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Sandakan is much warmer than Shijiazhuang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Shijiazhuang averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Shijiazhuang. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Shijiazhuang in the Winter?

Both Shijiazhuang and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Shijiazhuang in the winter. In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Shijiazhuang. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).

It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Shijiazhuang. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sandakan or Shijiazhuang in the Spring?

Both Shijiazhuang and Sandakan during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Sandakan is much warmer than Shijiazhuang in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in April than Shijiazhuang. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Shijiazhuang and Sandakan