Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Yangshuo?
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 Yangshuo or Guilin?
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 Guilin can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Guilin?
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.
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 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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Yangshuo Prices
China PricesGuilin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $85Guilin $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $85, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $83. 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 Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $25Guilin $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $50Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $42Guilin $5.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Between Airport & Yangshuo: $106
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $78
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Liusanjie Light Show with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $69
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Longsheng (Ping'an / Dazhai ) from Yangshuo: $78
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Guilin hotel: $64
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $48
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin: $378
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
- Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
- Guilin Airport to Yangshuo: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $190
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
- Private Transfer from Haikou (HAK) airport to/from Sanya hotel: $120
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $120
- Private Transfer: Guilin Airport to Yangshuo Hotel: $115
- Live Show of Impression Liu San Jie including the Transfer Services: $102
- Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin 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 $32Guilin $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yangshuo Cooking Class with Market Trip: $35
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
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$1.37
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
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $23Guilin $28
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket Booking : $45
- Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $47
- Yulong River Bamboo Rafting Experience: $52
- Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $56
- Yangshuo Walking Day Tour: $56
- Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
- Amphibious Off-Road Biking Experience: $68
- Guilin: Eternal Love Show Ticket with Interactive Activities: $70
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$16
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
- Full-Day Guilin Li-River Cruise with 4 star boat and Reed Flute Cave Tour: $262
- Full-Day Yangshuo Sunrise and Li-River cruise with the 4 Star Boat Private Tour: $272
- Day tour of Longji Rice Terraces and Yangshuo: $157
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour with the Ping'an and Dazhai Village: $209
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $219
- 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: $198
- 1 Day Relaxing Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Tour: $205
- 1 Day Relaxing Li River Cruise Private Tour with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room: $251
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $33Guilin $5.68
When comparing the travel costs between Yangshuo and Guilin, we can see that Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Guilin?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo or Guilin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Guilin.
In July, Yangshuo is generally around the same temperature as Guilin. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 30°C (86°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Guilin. Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yangshuo usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Guilin. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Guilin in the Autumn?
Both Guilin and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Guilin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Yangshuo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Guilin. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Guilin in the Winter?
Both Guilin and Yangshuo during the winter are popular places to visit.
In the winter, Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Guilin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yangshuo in January average around 10°C (49°F), and Guilin averages at about 10°C (49°F).
Yangshuo usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Guilin. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Guilin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Guilin.
In April, Yangshuo is generally around the same temperature as Guilin. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 20°C (68°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Guilin receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yangshuo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Yangshuo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Guilin. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.