A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yangshuo vs. Nara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yangshuo or Nara?

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 Nara can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Nara?

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.

Nara

As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Nara or Yangshuo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $86, while the average daily cost in Nara is $111. 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 Nara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yangshuo $26
    Nara $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yangshuo $52
    Nara $108
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Nara

Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Nara? 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 Yangshuo


Hotels in Nara


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: Nara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yangshuo $43
    Nara $6.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo

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

  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
  • Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
  • Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
  • Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
  • Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
  • From Rock Climbing with Transfer Private (3 hours): $69
  • Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
  • Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
  • From Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Transfer 3 hours Private Tour: $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Nara?

Prices for flights to both Nara 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 day
    Yangshuo $33
    Nara $51

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: $45
  • Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
  • The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
  • Combo Impression Sanjie Liu Show and Authentic Cooking Experience: $199
  • Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.

  • Handmade Soba and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $49
  • Udon and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $52
  • Nara Personalized Half Day Food Tour with a Local Guide: $160
  • Taste of Nara A Guided Half Day Food Tour Tailored to Your Taste: $160
  • Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yangshuo $24
    Nara $8.09

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: $48
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $49
  • Yulong River Bamboo Rafting Experience: $52
  • Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
  • Yangshuo Walking Day Tour: $56
  • Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
  • Ticket of Impression Sanjie Liu Show: $62
  • Amphibious Off-Road Biking Experience: $68

Tours and Activities in Nara

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:

  • Nara English Guided Walking Tour (All Entrance Fee Included): $62
  • 2-day Kansai world ExTour I tour around Osaka,Kyoto,Nara,andUji: $221
  • All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $45
  • First Time Nara Tour UNESCO Sites with Lunch and Deer Feed: $83
  • Fushimi Inari and Nara Private and Guided Tour in Spanish : $120
  • Gripped Sumi Ink Experience at a Historic Workshop in Nara: $23
  • Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Nara City: $151
  • Japan's Oldest Shrine & Nagashi Somen Walking Tour from Nara: $165
  • Kyoto Matcha Green Tea Tour: $221
  • Kyoto: Tea Museum and Tsuen Teahouse Guided Tour: $73
  • Nara - Craft Beer, Sake & Food Walking Tour: $103
  • Nara - Heart of Nature Cross Bike Tour: $289

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yangshuo $34
    Nara $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Nara, we can see that Nara 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 Nara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nara 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 Nara Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Nara?

Nara has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo and Nara, 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 Nara?

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 Nara in the Summer?

Both Nara and Yangshuo during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Yangshuo is a little warmer than Nara in the summer. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in July than Nara. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Yangshuo 30°C (86°F) 
    Nara 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Nara in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Nara. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nara this time of year.

In the autumn, Yangshuo is a little warmer than Nara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yangshuo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Nara averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Nara receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Yangshuo usually receives less rain than Nara. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Yangshuo 23°C (73°F) 
    Nara 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Nara in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Nara. Also, many travelers come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nara. In January, Yangshuo is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 10°C (49°F), and Nara fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Yangshuo usually gets more rain in January than Nara. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Yangshuo 10°C (49°F) 
    Nara 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Nara in the Spring?

Both Nara and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Nara in the spring for the natural beauty.

Yangshuo is a little warmer than Nara in the spring. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. In April, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Nara. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Yangshuo 20°C (68°F) 
    Nara 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Nara and Yangshuo

Yangshuo Nara
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 4°C (40°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 60 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 127 mm (5 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in) 19°C (65°F) 128 mm (5.1 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 214 mm (8.4 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 186 mm (7.3 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (74°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)