Which place is cheaper, Nagano or Yangshuo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Yangshuo or Nagano?
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 Nagano can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Nagano?
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.
Nagano
Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.
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 in Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $72Nagano $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $72, while the average daily cost in Nagano is $90. 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 Nagano in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $25Nagano $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $50Nagano $122
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Nagano
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Nagano? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nagano Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $42Nagano $9.79
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
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Longsheng hotel: $85
- Liusanjie Light Show with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $69
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagano
Also for Nagano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Between Station & Snow Monkey Park: $685
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Nagano?
Prices for flights to both Nagano 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
-
Food Meals for one dayYangshuo $19Nagano $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $23Nagano $8.16
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
- Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $170
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- 1-Day Guilin City Tour with the Daxu Town and Yao Mountain from Yangshuo: $187
- 1-Day Longji Rice Terraces hiking tour from Guilin/Yangshuo hotel: $188
- 1-Day Tour: Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat and Ruyi Peak Cable Car: $149
- 2 Day - Longji Rice Terraces - Sunrise Hiking Tour: $280
- Full-day Tour: Longji Rice Terraces & Minority Villages: $146
- Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Private Tour: $136
- Guilin Highlight Sightseeing Private Day City Tour: $139
- Guilin Tea plantation and Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Guilin Yangshuo Day tour from Guangzhou by Round Way Bullet Train: $212
Tours and Activities in Nagano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.
- 4 Day - From Nagano to Kanazawa: Ultimate Central Japan tour: $782
- Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano: $85
- Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley: $177
- Izakaya Food Night Tour in Nagano: $98
- Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour: $47
- Private Snow Monkey Tour: From Nagano City / Ski Resorts: $1,334
- Snow Monkey & ZinkoJi With Sake Tasting Private Tour: $537
- Welcome to Private Tour with a Local: $55
- Zenkoji Experience Tour: Overnight 'Shukubo' (Temple Lodge): $221
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $33Nagano -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Nagano, we can see that Nagano 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 Nagano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagano 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 Nagano Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Nagano?
Nagano has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo and Nagano, 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 Nagano?
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 Nagano in the Summer?
Both Nagano and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Nagano in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Yangshuo is a little warmer than Nagano in the summer. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Nagano fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. In July, Yangshuo usually receives less rain than Nagano. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Nagano 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Nagano in the Autumn?
Both Nagano and Yangshuo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Yangshuo is a little warmer than Nagano. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yangshuo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Nagano averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Yangshuo usually gets less rain in October than Nagano. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Nagano 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Nagano in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Nagano. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Nagano because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Nagano can be very cold. In January, Yangshuo is generally much warmer than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 10°C (49°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Nagano receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Yangshuo usually receives less rain than Nagano. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Nagano 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Nagano in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Nagano. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.
Yangshuo is much warmer than Nagano in the spring. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Nagano fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in April than Nagano. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Nagano 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Nagano and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Nagano | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 446 mm (17.5 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 275 mm (10.8 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 222 mm (8.8 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 227 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 339 mm (13.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 440 mm (17.3 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.