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

Should you visit Taiyuan or Shenzhen?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Taiyuan and Shenzhen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Taiyuan or Shenzhen?

Taiyuan

With sleek architectural designs and blossoming businesses, this metropolis is simply brimming with invigorating excitement and once-in-a-lifetime entertainment. Despite its glimmering skyscrapers and gorgeous fountains, Taiyuan, China has an extensive history of nearly 2,500 years. During ancient China, Taiyuan, or the "Dragon City," was a major military town. Presently, this city is now one of China's most important industrial cities, producing more than half of the national coal mining output. Taiyuan is both the capital and largest city of the Shanxi province of North China. It is bounded by mountains on three of its sides, allowing this great city to be surrounded by fantastic views of its landscape. Besides its economic significance, Taiyuan also achieves tourist significance due to its plethora of landmarks and sights. Some of these attractions include Jinci Temple, Forest Park, Mengshan Giant Buddha, and Shanxi Museum. Taiyuan is also celebrated internationally for holding their annual Shanxi Taiyuan International Folk Arts Festival, a celebration held in September that hosts exhibition of fine arts, painting, paper-cutting, sculpture, drama, acrobatic and the culture of costume. With such a great deal to do in such a limited window of time, it is best to make the most Taiyuan while you visit!

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.

Which city is cheaper, Shenzhen or Taiyuan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Taiyuan is $94, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $129. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Taiyuan and Shenzhen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Taiyuan $44
    Shenzhen $93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Taiyuan $88
    Shenzhen $186
Compare Hotels in Taiyuan and Shenzhen

Looking for a hotel in Taiyuan or Shenzhen? 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 Taiyuan


Hotels in Shenzhen


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.
    Taiyuan $49
    Shenzhen $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taiyuan

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

  • Taiyuan Wusu Airport Chauffeur Service, Taiyuan Airport Transfer, Pickup: $27
  • Taiyuan Wusu Airport Chauffeur Service , Taiyuan Airport Transfer,Pickup: $31
  • Taiyuan Wusu Airport Chauffeur Service , Taiyuan Airport Transfer,Pickup: $64
  • Taiyuan Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $24
  • Taiyuan Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $56
  • Taiyuan Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $56
  • Taiyuan Private Airport Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $56
  • Private Transfer Service to Wutaishan from Taiyuan: $148
  • Private Taiyuan Wusu or Xiaocheng Airport Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $28
  • Private Taiyuan Wusu or Xiaocheng Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $5.00
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Pingyao Ancient Town from Taiyuan: $92
  • Private One Way Transfer Service to Pingyao from Taiyuan: $68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

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

  • Private Arrival Transfer : Shenzen Airport to Hong Kong: $193
  • Shenzhen Downtown to Hong Kong Private Transfer: $138
  • Private Airport Transfer Shenzhen Airport - Guangzhou: $106
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Shenzhen Transfer: $98
  • Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen central to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX): $90
  • Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) to central Shenzhen: $90
  • Shenzhen Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $89
  • Shenzhen Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $89
  • Arrival Private Transfer Shenzhen Airport SZX to Shenzhen City in a Sedan Car: $86
  • Departure Private Transfer Shenzhen to Shenzhen Airport SZX in a Sedan Car: $86
  • Round Trip Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) Transfer to Shenzen City Center: $83
  • Shenzhen Baoan Airport Chauffeur Service , Shenzhen Airport Transfer,Pickup: $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Taiyuan or Shenzhen?

Prices for flights to both Shenzhen and Taiyuan 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
    Taiyuan $21
    Shenzhen $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

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

  • The best night food tour in SZ: ten tastings: $29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Taiyuan $16
    Shenzhen $18

Tours and Activities in Taiyuan

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

  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple from Taiyuan: $278
  • All Inclusive Taiyuan Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes: $328
  • All Inclusive Taiyuan Private Day Tour to Jinci Temple and Pingyao Ancient Town: $228
  • All Inclusive Taiyuan Private Tour to Jinci Temple and Mengshan Buddha: $168
  • Private Day Tour from Qiao Family and Pingyao Ancient City: $198
  • Private Day Tour in Jinci, Mengshan Buddha, Tianlong Mount: $199
  • Private Day Tour to Discover Wutaishan from Taiyuan: $288
  • Private Day Tour to Qiao Family Compound and Pingyao Old Town from Taiyuan: $219
  • Private Day Tour to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda and Hanging Monastery from Taiyuan: $229
  • Private Day Tour to Yungang Caves, Wooden Pagoda, Hanging Temple from Taiyuan: $289
  • Private Full Day Tour to Qikou Ancient Town and Yellow River from Taiyuan: $218
  • Romantic Tour in Taiyuan: $498

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

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

  • 2-Day Danxia Mountain & Nanhua Temple Private Tour From Shenzhen By Bullet Train: $677
  • 2-Day Private Customized Harbin Tour from Shenzhen by Air: $1,118
  • 2-Day Private Lijiang Highlights Tour from Shenzhen by Plane: $848
  • 3 Day Private Silk Road Tour fromShenzhen:Highlights of Xi'an,Jiayuguan,Dunhuang: $1,078
  • 3-Day Private Golden Triangle Tour: Shanghai, Beijing and Xi'an from Shenzhen: $1,378
  • 3-Day Private Guilin Highlights Tour from Shenzhen by Bullet Train: $720
  • 3-Day Private Tibet Tour from Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake and Khampa La Pass: $925
  • 4-Day Private Guided Tour of Beijing and Xi'an from Shenzhen: $1,088
  • 4-Day Private Silk Road Tour from Shenzhen: $1,258
  • 7-Day Private China Tour from Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin and Shanghai: $2,328
  • All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour of Beijing City Highlights from Shenzhen byAir: $648
  • All Inclusive 3-Day Private Tour of Xi'an and Beijing from Shenzhen with Hotel: $1,278

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Taiyuan $6.61
    Shenzhen $20


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

Related Articles for Taiyuan
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Taiyuan vs. Shenzhen Travel Comparison

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