A Travel Price Comparison for China Shenzhen vs. Datong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Shenzhen or Datong?

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 Datong 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 Datong?

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.

Datong

If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Datong or Shenzhen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Shenzhen Prices
    China Prices
    Datong Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Shenzhen $147
    Datong $75

The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $147, while the average daily cost in Datong is $75. 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 Datong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Shenzhen $95
    Datong $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shenzhen $190
    Datong $48
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Datong

Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen or Datong? 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.

Hotels in Shenzhen


Hotels in Datong


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: Shenzhen Hotel Prices and Datong Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Shenzhen $16
    Datong $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer: Hong Kong to Macau via Zhuhai Bridge: $265
  • Hong Kong Airport (HKG) Transfer to Shenzhen by Toyota Alphard: $220
  • Private Transfer From Hong Kong to/from Macau: $215
  • Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Guangzhou hotels: $189
  • Guangzhou One Day Tour with Bullet Train Transfer from Hong Kong: $188
  • Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Guangzhou City Hotels: $172
  • Private Transfer from Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Guangzhou: $155
  • Luxury Private Airport Transfer: Hong Kong International Airport: $149
  • Hong Kong Private Transfer — Victoria Peak ⇄ Tian Tan Big Buddha: $148
  • Private Transfer: Airport HKG to Hong Kong by Luxury Van: $142
  • HK Airport to Cruise Terminal Rounded-Trip Private Transfer by Lexus Luxury Car: $139
  • Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Port - Round- Trip Private Transfer: $135

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong

Also for Datong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35
  • Private One Way Transfer from Datong to Beijing: $211
  • From 4-Day Private Tour to Pingyao with Transfer: $988
  • Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall: $147
  • Transfer or Tour to Yungang Grottoes&Hanging Temple: $102
  • Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
  • Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Datong?

Prices for flights to both Datong 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Shenzhen $37
    Datong $37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hong Kong: Fresh Produce Market and Cook-to-Order Food Tour: $39
  • Shenzhen Food Tour with Locals: $47
  • Hong Kong: 7-Course Hong Kong Street & Restaurant Food Tour: $59
  • Best Street Food Tour With a Local Guide in Hong Kong: $96
  • Hong Kong's Tin Hau Hidden Gems Food Tour with 7+ Local Tastings: $107
  • Hong Kong Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $107
  • Hong Kong Tour, Victoria Harbour Dinner Cruise & TurboJet Transfers from Macau: $170
  • The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour: $189
  • Kowloon Night Street Food Tour with a Local: Private & Customized: $197
  • Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $239
  • Private Hong Kong Top Night Tour: Cruise, Aquarium Dinner, Peak: $248
  • Hong Kong Private Food Tour with Michelin Street Food: $294

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Shenzhen $18
    Datong $27

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • A Magical Evening in Hong Kong: Private City Tour: $110
  • A Perfect Hong Kong Layover - 5h private tour: $300
  • Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $53
  • Best Seller: VIP Lantau Tai O Tour Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha: $103
  • Between Capitalism & Communism: Hong Kong History Tip Based Tour: $2.61
  • Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $56
  • Cheung Chau Island Tour: $105
  • Coach Tour: Hong Kong Heritage Discovery: $144
  • Custom private tour of Hong Kong Island - Half day: $228
  • Custom private tour of Kowloon Peninsula - Half day: $178
  • Dark Side of Hong Kong - Kowloon Caged Homes Walking Tour: $38
  • Day Tour to Shenzhen from Hong Kong by High Speed Bullet Train: $176

Tours and Activities in Datong

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.

  • 1 Day Datong Yungang Grottoes & Hanging Temple Tour/from Beijing: $275
  • 2-Day Private Datong Tour:Hanging Temple, Yugang Grottoes,Wooden Pagoda and More: $298
  • 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
  • All Inclusive Datong Private Tour to Hanging Temple and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: $238
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour to Wooden Pagoda and Hanging Temple from Datong: $220
  • Datong Classic Day Tour: $208
  • Datong Day Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple: $203
  • Datong Hanging Temple Wooden Pagoda Self-guided Tour by Car: $95
  • Datong Private Day Tour to Deshengbu and Zhenchuankou Great Wall with Lunch: $190
  • Datong Private Day Tour to Yanmenguan Great Wall and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: $258
  • Datong Private Self-guided Tour with Chartered Car: $35
  • Datong Private Tour: Marvels of Hanging Temple & Yungang Grottoes: $242

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shenzhen $20
    Datong $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:

  • Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Datong, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Datong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Datong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Datong 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 Datong.

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


Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Datong?

Datong has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Shenzhen. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen and Datong, 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.

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