Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Guilin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tanah Rata or Guilin?
Tanah Rata
Tanah Rata is one of the main tourist towns in the Cameron Highlands. The Cameron Highlands are in western Malaysia and are a popular retreat for Malaysian residents and international travelers alike. The area's higher elevation offers an often much needed break from the country's oppressive heat. It also has a beautiful setting that is rich in agriculture and has rolling hills that are beautifully covered in tea plantations. Tanah Rata has many of the area's tourist amenities. ATMS, banks, and the area's main hospital are all found in town. For some, the area feels too touristy, but if you linger longer, and explore on your own, you can easily escape the mass tourism and see the area for what it is.
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 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Tanah Rata Prices
Malaysia PricesGuilin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $192Guilin $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $192, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $84. 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 Tanah Rata and Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $76Guilin $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $152Guilin $70
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $33Guilin $5.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Cameron Highland to Kuala Besut Jetty One Way SIC Transfer: $154
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands to Ipoh Hotel Transfer: $65
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $125
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dongguan Transfer: $71
- Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $18
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
- Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $58
- Haikou Meilan Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer, Pick up: $54
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Haikou Airport Transfer: $50
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer: $50
- One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Yangshuo: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin and Tanah Rata 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 dayTanah Rata $87Guilin $39
Typical Food Prices in Tanah Rata
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tanah Rata:
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Dinner for Two$6.42
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Dessert$0.71
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Lunch$4.52
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Afternoon tea$4.40
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$1.40
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
- Wukong Guilin Neighborhood Food Tour: $65
- Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $39Guilin $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tanah Rata
Here are a few typical costs in Tanah Rata for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Tea Factory Visit$6.42
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Tour of Orang Asli Village$24
Tours and Activities in Tanah Rata
Here are a few actual costs in Tanah Rata for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cameron Highlands: Mossy Forest Tour: $30
- Cameron Highlands Sightseing Tour: $35
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Join in Tour: $49
- Cameron Highlands: Agro Tour: $61
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Tour: $75
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $109
- Cameron Highlands City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands Private Sightseeing Tour : $211
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
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:
- City Tour with Elephant Hill & Ming Tea Tasting: $46
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide(beginner friendly): $51
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- 1-Day tour of Guilin-LiRiver cruise-Yangshuo Xianggong hill : $55
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $60
- Guilin English tour guide service : $62
- Private day tours: ancient zhuang rice terraces hiking to PingAn : $66
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- Li River Cruise ticket from Guilin to Yangshuo with pickup: $72
- Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo Day Tour: $72
- Fully-Guided Private Day Tour of Longji Terraces From Guilin: $72
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $21Guilin $5.81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Guilin, we can see that Tanah Rata 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 Tanah Rata would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tanah Rata 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 Tanah Rata Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Guilin?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata 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 Tanah Rata or Guilin?
Guilin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tanah Rata experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Guilin in the Summer?
Both Guilin and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
In the summer, Tanah Rata is around the same temperature as Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tanah Rata in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. In July, Tanah Rata usually receives less rain than Guilin. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Guilin in the Autumn?
Both Guilin and Tanah Rata during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Tanah Rata is generally a little warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (81°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in October than Guilin. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Guilin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
Tanah Rata is much warmer than Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Guilin. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Guilin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Guilin. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tanah Rata in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Guilin. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tanah Rata usually gets less rain in April than Guilin. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 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.