Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Shenzhen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Shenzhen or Guilin?
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 Guilin 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 Guilin?
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.
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenzhen $123Guilin $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $123, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $67. 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 Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenzhen $89Guilin $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenzhen $178Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen or Guilin? 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 $15Guilin $5.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
- A Premium Airport Transfer Service, Meet us at the Arrival Hall!: $131
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Shenzhen Transfer: $71
- HK Airport to Cruise Terminal Rounded-Trip Private Transfer by Lexus Luxury Car: $140
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Hong Kong Disneyland: 1-Day Entry Ticket with Private Transfer: $162
- Hong Kong Hassle free Airport Transfers in Tesla or Benz: $137
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Private Transfer: $30
- Hong Kong Private Arrival Transfer Driver Meet and Greet: Airport to Hotel: $62
- Hong Kong Private Departure Transfer: Hotel or Cruise Terminal to Airport: $62
- Hong Kong Private Transfer from Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Airport to Hong Kong: $76
- Hong Kong Private Transfer to Macau hotel over Bridge: $265
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Transfer from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Guilin City Center: $41
- Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Xingping hotel: $64
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Yangshuo: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin 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 $20Guilin $22
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 Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $107
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $107
- Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $112
- Private Food Tour With the Locals in Hong Kong: $141
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $159
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $159
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $160
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenzhen $17Guilin $28
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line! Walk to the Peak: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Yau Ma Tei: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in the Heart of Kowloon: $5.40
- Victoria Peak: Climb to the summit via the Mid-Levels escalato on an audio tour: $5.40
- Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
- Lovely Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- [Entry After 6pm] sky100 Min. 2pax Ticket Offer (F-II_2P): $17
- Walking Tour in Hong Kong - Local Experience (New & Best) : $17
- sky100 Tales of Hongkong Admission Ticket F-KE: $21
- TramOramic Sightseeing Tour plus 2-Day Tramways Ticket: $23
- sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck Tickets: $23
- Dukling Boat Tour in Victoria Harbour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
- Full-Day Guilin Li-River Cruise with 4 star boat and Reed Flute Cave Tour: $262
- Full-Day Yangshuo Sunrise and Li-River cruise with the 4 Star Boat Private Tour: $272
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour with the Ping'an and Dazhai Village: $209
- 1 Day Guilin to Yangshuo with top scenery & culture private tour : $79
- 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $169
- 1 Day Relaxing Li River Cruise With The 4 Star Luxury Boat lower Deck Seating: $225
- 1 Day Yangshuo Countryside Cycling and Yulong bamboo boat Private Tour: $94
- 1 Day Yangshuo Countryside Hiking along the Yulong river Private Tour: $103
- 1 Day Yangshuo private Day Tour with the Scooter: $105
- 1 day Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Countryside with Scooter Private Tour: $204
- 1 day Li River cruise & Yangshuo countryside private day tour : $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenzhen $19Guilin $5.73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Guilin, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Guilin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guilin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guilin 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 Guilin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Guilin?
Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Guilin. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen and Guilin, 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 Guilin?
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 Shenzhen or Guilin in the Summer?
Both Guilin and Shenzhen during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Shenzhen is around the same temperature as Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shenzhen in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).
Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in July than Guilin. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShenzhen 30°C (85°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Guilin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Guilin.
In October, Shenzhen is generally a little warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 26°C (78°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Guilin. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShenzhen 26°C (78°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Guilin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Guilin.
Shenzhen is much warmer than Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 16°C (60°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Shenzhen usually gets less rain in January than Guilin. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShenzhen 16°C (60°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Guilin in the Spring?
Both Guilin and Shenzhen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Shenzhen is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shenzhen in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. In April, Shenzhen usually receives less rain than Guilin. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShenzhen 23°C (73°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Shenzhen
| Shenzhen | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.