Which place is cheaper, Longsheng or Shanghai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Shanghai or Longsheng?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Shanghai and Longsheng. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Shanghai or Longsheng?
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $115Longsheng $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $115, while the average daily cost in Longsheng is $78. 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 Shanghai and Longsheng in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $81Longsheng $20
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $162Longsheng $40
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Longsheng
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $3.87Longsheng $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
-
Taxi Ride$3.59
-
Two Subway Tickets$0.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
- Shanghai-Suzhou private day tour with private transfer and Lunch: $204
- Ningbo City Private Arrival Transfer from Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $177
- Shanghai to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Self-Guide Trip with Private Transfer: $171
- Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) Departure Transfer (central Shanghai to Airport): $168
- Shanghai to Hangzhou Private Transfer with Stop at Wuzhen : $166
- Shanghai Airport to Ningbo City Private Arrival Transfer: $149
- Round-trip Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $149
- Round Trip Private Transfer City Center - Shanghai Disneyland: $147
- Shanghai to Wuzhen watertown Round way private transfer in a day: $140
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) Departure Transfer (central Shanghai to Airport): $135
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) Arrival Transfer (Airport to central Shanghai): $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Longsheng?
Prices for flights to both Longsheng and Shanghai 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 dayShanghai $21Longsheng $35
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
-
Dumpling Breakfast$1.38
-
Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
-
Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.19
-
Cantelope$1.66
-
Dumplings and Soup$2.07
-
Duck Dinner$4.15
-
Pastries$2.90
-
Barbeque Dinner$8.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai: $67
- 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $69
- 2.5hrs Chinese Kitchen Cooking Class: Xiaolongbao Soup Dumplings: $70
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late night food tour in Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- 4-Hour Food Tour in Qibao Water Town from Shanghai by Subway: $95
- Shanghai Hot pot dinner foodie tour with guide and one way private transfer: $113
- Private Authentic Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with a Lovely Local: $116
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $8.44Longsheng $8.39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
-
30 Minute River Cruise for Two$28
-
Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- Half-Day Private Tour of Shanghai Bund with River Cruise or Tower View: $90
- Private Shanghai Flexible City Highlight Tour with Night Cruise: $221
- Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights: $108
- Yiwu International Trade City Private Day Tour from Shanghai by Bullet Train: $183
- water village of shagnhai tour: $248
- 1 Day Shanghai Airport Layover Private Tour for City Highlights: $202
- 1 Day Shanghai Highlight Small Group Tour: $124
- 1 Day Shanghai Private Tour: $180
- 1 day Shanghai City Mini Group tour: $92
- 1-Day Private Tour to Shanghai Museum,Yu Garden, the Bund and Nanjing Road: $190
- 1-Day Private Tour to Shanghai Museum,Yu Garden,the Bund & Huangpu River Cruise : $213
- 1-Day Private Tour to Suzhou from Shanghai: $272
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.36Longsheng $7.90
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl: unique bar-hopping tour 2024: $20
- Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Longsheng, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Longsheng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Longsheng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Longsheng 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 Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai than you might in Longsheng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is Longsheng Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai or Longsheng?
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 Shanghai or Longsheng in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Longsheng. The summer months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Shanghai is around the same temperature as Longsheng in the summer. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Longsheng fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Longsheng. Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shanghai usually gets less rain in July than Longsheng. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyShanghai 28°C (83°F)Longsheng 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Longsheng in the Autumn?
Both Longsheng and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
In the autumn, Shanghai is cooler than Longsheng. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shanghai in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Longsheng averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In October, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Longsheng. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShanghai 19°C (65°F)Longsheng 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Longsheng in the Winter?
Both Longsheng and Shanghai during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Shanghai. In January, Shanghai is generally much colder than Longsheng. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 4°C (39°F), and Longsheng fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Shanghai usually gets less rain in January than Longsheng. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShanghai 4°C (39°F)Longsheng 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Longsheng in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Longsheng. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Shanghai is cooler than Longsheng in the spring. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Longsheng fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Longsheng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Longsheng. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilShanghai 15°C (58°F)Longsheng 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Longsheng and Shanghai
| Shanghai | Longsheng | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.