A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Shenyang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Similan Islands or Shenyang?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Shenyang 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: Similan Islands or Shenyang?

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

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!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Shenyang?

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

Should I visit Similan Islands or Shenyang in the Summer?

Both Shenyang and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Shenyang in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Shenyang fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Shenyang. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 214 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenyang. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Shenyang in the Autumn?

Both Shenyang and Similan Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is much warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Shenyang averages at about 10°C (51°F).

In Shenyang, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Shenyang. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 216 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Shenyang. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year. October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Shenyang in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Shenyang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round.

The weather in Shenyang can be very cold. In January, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Shenyang during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 167 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Shenyang in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Shenyang. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Similan Islands is much warmer than Shenyang in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shenyang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the spring, Similan Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 241 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Shenyang. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Shenyang and Similan Islands