Which place is cheaper, Qingdao or Yangshuo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yangshuo or Qingdao?
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 Qingdao can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Qingdao?
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.
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
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 $72Qingdao $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $72, while the average daily cost in Qingdao is $58. 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 Qingdao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $25Qingdao $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $50Qingdao $52
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Qingdao
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Qingdao? 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 $42Qingdao $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yangshuo Rock Climbing with Hotel Transfer (3 hours): $69
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $48
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $49
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Qingdao?
Prices for flights to both Qingdao 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 $19Qingdao $20
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $23Qingdao $20
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: $149
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- 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 Li-River Tour from Yangshuo to Yangdi With the English Speaking Driver: $159
- 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 Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $33Qingdao $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Qingdao, we can see that Yangshuo is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Yangshuo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangshuo than you might in Qingdao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Qingdao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Qingdao?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo and Qingdao, 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 Qingdao?
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 Qingdao in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Qingdao.
In the summer, Yangshuo is a little warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yangshuo in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Qingdao averages at about 25°C (77°F).
Qingdao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yangshuo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Yangshuo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Qingdao. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Qingdao 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Qingdao in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Qingdao.
In October, Yangshuo is generally a little warmer than Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 23°C (73°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Yangshuo usually gets more rain in October than Qingdao. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Qingdao 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Qingdao in the Winter?
Both Qingdao and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Qingdao can be very cold during winter. Yangshuo is much warmer than Qingdao in the winter. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Qingdao fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).
In January, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Qingdao -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Qingdao in the Spring?
Both Qingdao and Yangshuo during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Yangshuo is much warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yangshuo in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Qingdao averages at about 12°C (53°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in April than Qingdao. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Qingdao 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Qingdao and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Qingdao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.