A Travel Price Comparison for China Tianjin vs. Guilin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tianjin or Guilin?

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

Should I visit Tianjin 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: Tianjin or Guilin?

Tianjin

Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.

Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Tianjin?

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 Tianjin is $97, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $89. 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 Tianjin and Guilin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tianjin $37
    Guilin $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tianjin $74
    Guilin $74
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Guilin

Looking for a hotel in Tianjin 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.

Hotels in Tianjin


Hotels in Guilin


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.
    Tianjin $39
    Guilin $6.17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin

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

  • Arrival Transfer from Tianjin Airport TSN to Tianjin City: $60
  • Beijing Downtown to Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer drop off: $105
  • Binhai Airport Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port: $80
  • Binhai Airport Private Transfer to Tianjin Cruise Port: $80
  • Cruise Transfer from Tianjin Port to Beijing Hotels: $225
  • Cruise Transfer:Tianjin International Home Port to Beijing PEK or Daxing Airport: $118
  • Departure Transfer from Tianjin City to Tianjin Airport TSN: $60
  • Port Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Home Port to Beijing Hotels: $100
  • Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing: $138
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Train Stations (Tianjin/Tanggu): $63
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN): $39

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $2.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:

  • Private Transfer from/to Zhangjiajie to Guilin: $387
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
  • Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $197
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $120
  • Private Transfer from Haikou (HAK) airport to/from Sanya hotel: $120
  • Private Transfer: Guilin Airport to Yangshuo Hotel: $115
  • Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Airport to Hotel Roundtrip: $99
  • Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93
  • [Elite Transport] Dongguan Private Transfer & Executive Support: $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Guilin?

Prices for flights to both Guilin and Tianjin 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
    Tianjin $38
    Guilin $42

Typical Food Prices in Guilin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:


  • Fresh Coconut Drink
    $1.48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin

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

  • Wukong Guilin Neighborhood Food Tour: $65
  • Shantou Foodie Day Tour with Cooking Class: $199
  • Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Boat and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
  • Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tianjin $11
    Guilin $30

Tours and Activities in Tianjin

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

  • Guided Day Tour to Tianjin Downtown with Lunch: $148
  • Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $169
  • Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Capital Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $187
  • Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
  • Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Daxing Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $203
  • Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $215
  • 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Private Shopping Tour: $228
  • 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
  • Private Tianjin Day Tour to Huangyaguan Great Wall and Dule Temple: $238
  • Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $238
  • Tian jin harbor cruise to Beijng all-inclusive day trip: $239
  • Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239

Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin

Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Caves
    $18

Tours and Activities in Guilin

Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Day Congjiang Ethnic Dong Village Private Tour from Guilin: $219
  • 1 Day Guilin Sanjiang Tour to Dong Villages: $169
  • 1 Day Guilin Tour: Village Visit, Waterfall Viewing, Hiking: $230
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Biking Adventure: $80
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide: $209
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $209
  • 1 Day Li River Tour with Xingping Town & Xianggong Mountain: $209
  • 1 Day Private Cruise Tour at Li River from Guilin with Biking: $198
  • 1 Day Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Village Tour: $202
  • 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $172
  • 1 Day Yangshuo Adventure Balloon Helicopter and Cave Experience: $208
  • 1 Day Yangshuo private Day Tour with the Scooter: $105

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tianjin $12
    Guilin $6.12


When comparing the travel costs between Tianjin and Guilin, we can see that Tianjin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Guilin?

Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Guilin. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin 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 Tianjin 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 Tianjin or Guilin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tianjin as well as Guilin.

Tianjin is cooler than Guilin in the summer. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

It's quite rainy in Guilin. Tianjin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tianjin usually gets less rain in July than Guilin. Tianjin gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tianjin 27°C (80°F) 
    Guilin 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Guilin in the Autumn?

Both Guilin and Tianjin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Tianjin is much colder than Guilin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tianjin in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Guilin averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In October, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Guilin. Tianjin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tianjin 15°C (58°F) 
    Guilin 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Guilin in the Winter?

Both Guilin and Tianjin during the winter are popular places to visit.

Tianjin can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tianjin is generally much colder than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Tianjin average around -3°C (27°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Tianjin usually gets less rain in January than Guilin. Tianjin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tianjin -3°C (27°F) 
    Guilin 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Guilin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tianjin and Guilin.

Tianjin is cooler than Guilin in the spring. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Guilin receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Guilin. Tianjin gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tianjin 14°C (58°F) 
    Guilin 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Guilin and Tianjin

Tianjin Guilin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (27°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -1°C (31°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 25 mm (1 in) 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in)
May 21°C (69°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 15°C (58°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec -1°C (31°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)