Which place is cheaper, Dalian or Shenzhen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Shenzhen or Dalian?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenzhen and Dalian can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Shenzhen or Dalian?
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenzhen $123Dalian $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $123, while the average daily cost in Dalian is $102. 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 Shenzhen and Dalian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenzhen $89Dalian $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenzhen $178Dalian $108
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Dalian
Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen or Dalian? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shenzhen $14Dalian $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hong Kong Airport Transfer: $177
- Hong Kong Disneyland: 1-Day Entry Ticket with Private Transfer: $162
- Transfers anywhere in Hong Kong: $140
- Hong Kong Hassle free Airport Transfers in Tesla or Benz: $138
- Private Transfer: Hong Kong Airport HKG to Hong Kong City in Luxury Van: $135
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
- Private Arrival Transfer from Hongkong Airport to Shenzhen City: $128
- Luxury Private Tesla Transfer: Hong Kong International Airport (From/To HKG): $115
- Transfer Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport by Luxury Van or Sedan: $112
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Guangzhou - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Private Airport Transfer Shenzhen Airport - Guangzhou: $106
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Round Trip Private Transfer: $95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Dalian?
Prices for flights to both Dalian and Shenzhen 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 dayShenzhen $20Dalian $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegetarian Food Tour: $77
- Hong Kong Guided Dinner + Laser Show Lounge Entry (2023) | 200+ booked : $100
- Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $108
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $108
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $108
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $163
- Hong Kong Crazy Rich Asian Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private : $166
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $166
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $166
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenzhen $17Dalian $4.76
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- SEAT-IN-COACH Macau Tour with simple buffet lunch from Hong Kong: $188
- Shenzhen Self-Guided Flexible Tour with Private Car and Driver : $86
- 2.5-Hour Shenzhen City-Village Walking Tour: Back In The 90's & TikTok Influence: $51
- 4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: $280
- 4-Hour Small Group Kowloon Sightseeing Tour: $103
- 60 Minutes Virtual Reality Experience in Hong Kong: $37
- A Perfect Hong Kong Layover - 5h private tour: $275
- Afternoon Hiking Tour Sharp Island Geopark: $38
- Aqua Luna: Evening Cruise at Victoria Harbour Hong Kong: $40
- Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $49
- Authentic Hong Kong Private Tour: $275
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $50
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenzhen $19Dalian $6.29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Dalian, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Dalian much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dalian would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dalian 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Dalian.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Dalian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Dalian?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Shenzhen. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen and Dalian, 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 Shenzhen or Dalian?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Shenzhen or Dalian in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Dalian.
Shenzhen is a little warmer than Dalian in the summer. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Dalian fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Dalian receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Dalian. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShenzhen 30°C (85°F)Dalian 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Dalian in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Dalian.
In the autumn, Shenzhen is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shenzhen in October average around 26°C (78°F), and Dalian averages at about 15°C (58°F).
Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in October than Dalian. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShenzhen 26°C (78°F)Dalian 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Dalian in the Winter?
Both Dalian and Shenzhen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
The weather in Dalian can be very cold. In January, Shenzhen is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 16°C (60°F), and Dalian fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
In January, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Dalian. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShenzhen 16°C (60°F)Dalian -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Dalian in the Spring?
Both Dalian and Shenzhen during the spring are popular places to visit.
Shenzhen is much warmer than Dalian in the spring. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Dalian fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in April than Dalian. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShenzhen 23°C (73°F)Dalian 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Dalian and Shenzhen
| Shenzhen | Dalian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.