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 $149
    Datong $76

The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $149, while the average daily cost in Datong is $76. 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 $97
    Datong $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shenzhen $194
    Datong $50
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:

  • HongKong to Guangzhou PVT Transfer-Meet&Greet,Direct Cross-Border: $235
  • Private Transfer: Hong Kong to Macau via Zhuhai Bridge: $224
  • Hong Kong Airport (HKG) Transfer to Shenzhen by Toyota Alphard: $220
  • Seamless VIP Hong Kong Airport Transfer with Dining Stop: $219
  • Shenzhen Private Transfer & Chauffeur with Elite Assistant: $199
  • Bicycle Airport Transfer Service | Hong Kong: $196
  • Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Guangzhou hotels: $186
  • Shenzhen to Dongguan Transfer with English-Speaking Driver: $180
  • Hong Kong Pickup & Transfer to Macau Sightseeing & Dancing Water: $160
  • Hong Kong Private Transfer — Victoria Peak ⇄ Tian Tan Big Buddha: $148
  • HK Airport to Cruise Terminal Rounded-Trip Private Transfer by Lexus Luxury Car: $139
  • Private Transfer between Guangzhou and Shenzhen City Area: $128

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 Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Hanging Temple and Hengshan from Datong: $118
  • 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: 7-Course Hong Kong Street & Restaurant Food Tour: $59
  • Hong Kong's Tin Hau Hidden Gems Food Tour with 7+ Local Tastings: $107
  • Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $107
  • Hong Kong Market Walking Tour & Chinese Cooking Class: $131
  • Temple Street Night Market Tour plus Victoria Harbour Dinner Cruise: $131
  • Hong Kong Sightseeing Tour With Dinner Cruise From Shenzhen: $136
  • Hong Kong Best Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $143
  • Private Authentic Hong Kong's Food Tour with 7+ Local Tastings: $159
  • Kowloon Street Food Tour Private & Personalized with a Local: $169
  • Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $175
  • Layover Tour from airport - Classic Hong Kong with Tram Ride and Dinner Cruise: $181
  • The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour: $186

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:

  • 5-Hour Private Customized Walking Tour in Hong Kong: $265
  • A Magical Evening in Hong Kong: Private City Tour: $108
  • A Taste of Hong Kong: Private Tour With Locals: $131
  • Afternoon Hiking Tour Sharp Island Geopark: $39
  • BYD Shenzhen Factory Tour With Pickup From Hong Kong: $157
  • Best Seller: VIP Lantau Tai O Tour Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha: $103
  • Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $56
  • Big Bus Hong Kong Panoramic Night Tour by Open-Top Bus: $45
  • Bus Tours in Hong Kong: $45
  • Cheung Chau Island Tour: $105
  • City Tour and Film Portrait in Hong Kong: $157
  • Congjiang and Zhaoxing Tour by Bullet Train with Pickup from Hong Kong: $284

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
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour to Wooden Pagoda and Hanging Temple from Datong: $220
  • All-Inclusive Private Tour to Yungang Grottoes 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 Yanmenguan Great Wall and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: $258
  • Datong Private Self-guided Tour with Chartered Car: $23
  • Datong Private Tour: Marvels of Hanging Temple & Yungang Grottoes: $242
  • Datong Yungang Grottoes & Hanging Temple Tour from Datong Station: $268
  • Datong Yungang Grottoes Entry Ticket: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shenzhen $21
    Datong $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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