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

Should you visit Suzhou 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 Suzhou 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: Suzhou or Datong?

Suzhou

Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Datong or Suzhou?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Suzhou is $126, while the average daily cost in Datong is $71. 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 Suzhou and Datong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Suzhou $39
    Datong $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Suzhou $78
    Datong $46
Compare Hotels in Suzhou and Datong

Looking for a hotel in Suzhou 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 Suzhou


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Suzhou $57
    Datong $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:

  • Private Suzhou Garden and Water Town Highlight Trip with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $298
  • Private Day Tour: Suzhou Highlights with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $285
  • Full-Day Suzhou Gardens Exploration with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $285
  • Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Suzhou Chauffeur Service,Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
  • Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
  • Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town : $144
  • Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
  • Shanghai Pudong International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $87
  • Suzhou Private Transfer to Zhouzhuang Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
  • Suzhou Private Transfer to Tongli Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
  • Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town : $81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong

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

  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12
  • Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35
  • Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
  • Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
  • Transfer or Tour to Yungang Grottoes&Hanging Temple: $102
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Hanging Temple and Hengshan from Datong: $118
  • Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128
  • Private One Way Transfer from Datong to Beijing : $211
  • From 4-Day Private Tour to Pingyao with Transfer: $988

Is it cheaper to fly into Suzhou or Datong?

Prices for flights to both Datong and Suzhou 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
    Suzhou $56
    Datong $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.

  • Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour: $55
  • Suzhou Alleyway Food Tour: $63
  • Half-Day Private Customized Suzhou Highlights with Lunch or Dinner Option: $123
  • Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Suzhou $9.41
    Datong $25

Tours and Activities in Suzhou

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:

  • Private Shanghai City Tour from Suzhou by Bullet Train with Drop off Option: $232
  • 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $80
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Tour: Humble Administrator’s Garden,Tiger Hill and Canal : $134
  • 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $128
  • 4-Hour Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride: $145
  • Canglang Pavilion Ticket Booking: $7.00
  • Flexible Shanghai Private Day Tour from Suzhou by Bullet Train: $208
  • Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Day Tour with Authentic Lunch: $167
  • Full Day Private Tour Incredible Suzhou Highlight: $259
  • Humble Administrator's Garden Ticket Booking: $18

Tours and Activities in Datong

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

  • Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket with Optional Tour Services: $22
  • Yungang Grottoes Entry Ticket-E ticket: $28
  • Temples and Grottoes Day Tour with tickets option: $29
  • Beijing : Forbidden City Entry Ticket: $29
  • Temples and Grottoes Day Tour with tickets option: $29
  • Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket Only: $33
  • Pingyao Ancient City Scenic Area Pass Ticket Only: $36
  • YungangGrottoe HangingTemple Private Self-guided Tour by Car: $79
  • Datong Private Self-guided Tour with Chartered Car: $79
  • Datong Hanging Temple Wooden Pagoda Self-guided Tour by Car: $95
  • 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
  • Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes Private Tour: $174

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Suzhou $6.46
    Datong $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Suzhou and Datong, we can see that Suzhou 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 Suzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Suzhou 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 Suzhou Expensive? and Is Datong Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Suzhou or Datong?

Suzhou has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Datong. When comparing the sizes of Suzhou 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.