A Travel Price Comparison for China Wuhu vs. Dali for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Wuhu or Dali?

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 Wuhu and Dali. 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: Wuhu or Dali?

Wuhu

The city of Wuhu is located in the southeast of the Anhui province of China. It lies on the south bank of the Yangtze River, and about 74 miles from the capital city of Hefei. It is made of floodplains, terraces and low hills, and its plentiful water supply makes it the perfect spot for fish and rice production.

The area has a subtropical climate with a humid monsoon season. When planning your trip, remember that the rainy season is from spring to early winter with the heaviest rainfall from mid-June to early July. So the best trips will be in autumn when it is nice and cool, and the chrysanthemums are in bloom.

Dali

Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Dali or Wuhu?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Wuhu is $86, while the average daily cost in Dali is $48. 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 Wuhu and Dali in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wuhu $30
    Dali $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wuhu $60
    Dali $34
Compare Hotels in Wuhu and Dali

Looking for a hotel in Wuhu or Dali? 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 Wuhu


Hotels in Dali


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.
    Wuhu $26
    Dali $9.21

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:


  • Local Bus
    $0.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

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

  • Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Wuhu or Dali?

Prices for flights to both Dali and Wuhu 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
    Wuhu $39
    Dali $18

Typical Food Prices in Dali

For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $4.42
  • Breakfast
    $3.46

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wuhu $18
    Dali $18

Tours and Activities in Dali

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

  • 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
  • 1 day Dali Highlights Mini Group Tour: $140
  • 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
  • Private Day Tour of Dali Explore the Ancient City: $175
  • Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175
  • Private tour to Xizhou old town local market Erhai lake three Pagodas from Dali: $184
  • Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
  • 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
  • 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
  • Private Customized Tour: Dali City Highlights in One Day: $213
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
  • Private Day Tour: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town: $217

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wuhu $8.10
    Dali $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wuhu and Dali, we can see that Wuhu is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Wuhu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wuhu than you might in Dali.

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


Which is Bigger, Wuhu or Dali?

Wuhu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Wuhu and Dali, 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.