A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shenyang vs. Koh Pha Ngan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Shenyang or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Should I visit Shenyang or Koh Pha Ngan? 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: Shenyang or Koh Pha Ngan?

Shenyang

Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!

Koh Pha Ngan

Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenyang and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Shenyang is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Shenyang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenyang than you might in Koh Pha Ngan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenyang Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Shenyang or Koh Pha Ngan?

Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Shenyang and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Shenyang or Koh Pha Ngan?

Shenyang has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Pha Ngan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Shenyang or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Shenyang during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

In July, Shenyang is generally around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Shenyang average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenyang. Shenyang usually gets more rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Shenyang gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shenyang or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenyang and Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Shenyang is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shenyang averages around 10°C (51°F) in October, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Shenyang usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Shenyang gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan.

Should I visit Shenyang or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Shenyang as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

Shenyang can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Shenyang is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shenyang in January average around -11°C (13°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 22°C (72°F).

Shenyang usually gets less rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Shenyang gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season.

Should I visit Shenyang or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Shenyang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Shenyang is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Shenyang average around 10°C (50°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In April, Shenyang usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Shenyang gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Shenyang