Which place is cheaper, Nanjing or Yangshuo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yangshuo or Nanjing?
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 Nanjing can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Nanjing?
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.
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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 $72Nanjing $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $72, while the average daily cost in Nanjing is $96. 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 Nanjing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $25Nanjing $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $50Nanjing $92
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Nanjing
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Nanjing? 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 $42Nanjing $38
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
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Longsheng hotel: $85
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Xingping hotel: $21
- Private Yangshuo Transfer from Hotel to Longji terraces Hotel: $96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Nanjing Lukou Int Airport (NKG): Private Transfer to Nanjing: $175
- Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfers: $163
- Nanjing To Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfers: $129
- Nanjing Private Transfer from Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG) to central Nanjing: $114
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to Zhenjiang City: $110
- Nanjing Tangshan Hot Spring Spa Experience with Private Transfer: $103
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
- Nanjing to Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $90
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
- Nanjing to Wuxi Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $88
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing : $88
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Nanjing?
Prices for flights to both Nanjing 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 $19Nanjing $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3-Hour Yangshuo Cooking Class with Yangshuo Town Shopping: $138
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $23Nanjing $9.28
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Tour to learn Chinese cuisine in Yangshuo group: $37
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $45
- Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $47
- Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $56
- Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
- Gullin: Li River Cruise with Pickup and Yangshuo: $65
- Private Half-Day Bike and Bamboo Raft Tour in Yangshuo: $80
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
- Yangshuo Parasailing Experience Ticket: $89
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Sun Yatsen Mausoleum, Xiaoling Tomb and City Wall: $190
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
- All-Inclusive Nanjing Purple Mountain Scenic Area Private Day Tour: $187
- All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Flexible Private Nanjing Layover Tour: $171
- Flexible Suzhou Private Day Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train: $245
- Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $33Nanjing $9.48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Nanjing, we can see that Nanjing 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 Nanjing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nanjing 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 Nanjing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Nanjing?
Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo and Nanjing, 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 Nanjing?
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 Nanjing in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Nanjing.
Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Nanjing in the summer. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Nanjing fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite rainy in Nanjing. Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in July than Nanjing. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Nanjing 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Nanjing in the Autumn?
Both Nanjing and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Yangshuo is a little warmer than Nanjing. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yangshuo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Nanjing averages at about 17°C (63°F).
In October, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Nanjing. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Nanjing 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Nanjing in the Winter?
Both Nanjing and Yangshuo during the winter are popular places to visit.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Nanjing. In January, Yangshuo is generally much warmer than Nanjing. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 10°C (49°F), and Nanjing fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Yangshuo usually gets more rain in January than Nanjing. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Nanjing 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Nanjing in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Nanjing.
Yangshuo is a little warmer than Nanjing in the spring. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Nanjing fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yangshuo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Nanjing. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Nanjing 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Nanjing and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Nanjing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 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.