Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Yangshuo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yangshuo or Rotorua?
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 Rotorua can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Rotorua?
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.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $72Rotorua $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $72, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $93. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $25Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $50Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Rotorua? 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: Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $42Rotorua $5.01
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 Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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 $19Rotorua $29
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 Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $92
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $23Rotorua $34
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Self Drive Yamaha Experience : $90
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $30
- Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū : $157
- From Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch: $154
- From Wai O Tapu & Waimangu Eco Thermal Morning Tour: $86
- From Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu and Te Puia Full-Day Tour: $193
- Geothermal Adults Only Mineral Bathing - Pavilion Pools Bathing Ticket: $27
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $27
- Hells Gate Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa Experience: $50
- Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with lunch at Hobbiton: $156
- Kaituna River: 3.5-Hour White Water Sledging Experience: $77
- Kaituna River: Whitewater Rafting Experience: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $33Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua is more expensive. And not only is Yangshuo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yangshuo is in Asia and Rotorua is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Rotorua?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Yangshuo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Yangshuo or Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Rotorua. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Yangshuo is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yangshuo in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.
Yangshuo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Rotorua. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Yangshuo is generally a little warmer than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 23°C (73°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Yangshuo usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Yangshuo is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
In January, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua and Yangshuo during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
In the spring, Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yangshuo in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.