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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Shenyang?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shenyang? 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: Vang Vieng or Shenyang?

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, 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 Vang Vieng and Shenyang, we can see that Shenyang is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Shenyang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenyang than you might in Vang Vieng.

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

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Shenyang?

Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Shenyang, 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 Vang Vieng or Shenyang?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shenyang in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Shenyang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.

In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenyang this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 214 hours of full sun in the summer.

Shenyang receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Shenyang. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shenyang in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Shenyang. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Vang Vieng is much warmer than Shenyang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shenyang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 216 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in October than Shenyang. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shenyang in the Winter?

Both Shenyang and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.

Shenyang can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Shenyang averages at about -11°C (13°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Shenyang during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 167 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shenyang in the Spring?

Both Shenyang and Vang Vieng during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In Shenyang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 241 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Shenyang. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Shenyang and Vang Vieng