Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Yangshuo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Yangshuo? 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 Yangshuo?
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.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $67Yangshuo $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $67, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo is $74. 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 Yangshuo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Yangshuo $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Yangshuo $52
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Yangshuo
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan 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: Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $38Yangshuo $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Xingping hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Yangshuo?
Prices for flights to both Yangshuo 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 $21Yangshuo $19
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.31Yangshuo $24
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
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $48
- Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $56
- Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
- Qixianfeng Tea Plantation Tour in Yangshuo: $79
- Private Half-Day Bike and Bamboo Raft Tour in Yangshuo: $80
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- Gullin: Li River Cruise with Pickup and Yangshuo: $81
- Xingping Parasailing Experience Ticket: $89
- Yangshuo Parasailing Experience Ticket: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.62Yangshuo $34
When comparing the travel costs between Sandakan 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 Sandakan Expensive? and Is Yangshuo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Yangshuo?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Yangshuo, 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 Yangshuo?
Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Yangshuo. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Yangshuo in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Yangshuo. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Yangshuo 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)Yangshuo 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Yangshuo in the Autumn?
Both Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Yangshuo. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Yangshuo 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)Yangshuo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Yangshuo in the Winter?
Both Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Yangshuo 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)Yangshuo 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Yangshuo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Yangshuo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
Sandakan is a little warmer than Yangshuo in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Yangshuo 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)Yangshuo 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Yangshuo and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Yangshuo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.