Which place is cheaper, Dalian or Yangshuo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yangshuo or Dalian?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Yangshuo and Dalian can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Dalian?
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $72Dalian $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $72, while the average daily cost in Dalian is $103. 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 Yangshuo and Dalian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $25Dalian $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $50Dalian $108
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Dalian
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Dalian? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $42Dalian $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Visit 100% primitive cave with Transfer: $97
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $49
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33
- Dalian Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Dalian?
Prices for flights to both Dalian and Yangshuo 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 dayYangshuo $19Dalian $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $23Dalian $4.79
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- 1-Day Guilin City Tour and Ends of Longji Rice Terraces from Yangshuo: $218
- 2 Day - Longji Rice Terraces - Sunrise Hiking Tour: $280
- All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
- From Guilin or Top 4 Highlights Private Day tour: $157
- Full-Day Li-River Tour from Yangshuo to Yangdi With the English Speaking Driver: $159
- Full-day Tour: Longji Rice Terraces & Minority Villages: $146
- Full-day Tour: Spectacular Sunrise, Tea Plantation & Sunset: $134
- Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Private Tour: $137
- Guilin Highlight Sightseeing Private Day City Tour: $139
- Guilin: 3-Day Private Tour with Longsheng&Cruise to Yangshuo: $328
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $33Dalian $6.32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Dalian, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Yangshuo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yangshuo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangshuo 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian than you might in Yangshuo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Dalian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Dalian?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo and Dalian, 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 Yangshuo or Dalian?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Yangshuo or Dalian in the Summer?
Both Dalian and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Yangshuo is a little warmer than Dalian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yangshuo in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Dalian averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Dalian. It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. In July, Yangshuo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dalian. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Dalian 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Dalian in the Autumn?
Both Dalian and Yangshuo during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Yangshuo is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 23°C (73°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Yangshuo usually gets more rain in October than Dalian. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Dalian 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Dalian in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Dalian.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Dalian. Yangshuo is much warmer than Dalian in the winter. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Dalian fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
In January, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Dalian. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Dalian -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Dalian in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Dalian.
In the spring, Yangshuo is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yangshuo in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Dalian averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in April than Dalian. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Dalian 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Dalian and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Dalian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.