A Travel Price Comparison for China Yangshuo vs. Shanghai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Yangshuo or Shanghai?

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

Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Shanghai?

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.

Shanghai

Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".

Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Yangshuo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $73, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $118. 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 Shanghai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yangshuo $26
    Shanghai $83
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yangshuo $52
    Shanghai $166
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Shanghai

Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Shanghai? 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 Shanghai


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yangshuo $43
    Shanghai $3.96

Typical Local Transportation prices in Shanghai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.68
  • Two Subway Tickets
    $0.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:

  • Private Day tour of Xi'an From Shanghai Including Transfer Service: $1,100
  • Private Mutianyu Great Wall Tour From Shanghai's Hotel Including Transfer: $1,100
  • Private Beijing One Day Tour From Shanghai 's Hotel Including Transfer Service: $1,036
  • Private Day Trip Of Xi'an From Your Shanghai's hotel Including Transfer Service: $1,000
  • Private Day Tour Of Beijing From Shanghai's Hotel Including Flight And Transfer: $1,000
  • 2-Day Huangshan Tour by Cable Car with Private Transfer and Lunch from Shanghai: $653
  • 3 Days Shanghai Suzhou Tour Package with Airport Transfer: $555
  • 1-way Transfer Between Shanghai Pudong Airport and Yiwu Per Vehicle Price: $388
  • Shanghai Luxury Airport Transfer: $332
  • Transfer from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Nantong Downtown Per Vehicle Price: $265
  • Shanghai Disneyland with Transfers Plus 2-Night Accommodation in 4-Star Hotels: $264
  • Super High-End Luxury Private Transfers Between City and Shanghai Airports: $240

Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Shanghai?

Prices for flights to both Shanghai 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 $19
    Shanghai $22

Typical Food prices in Shanghai

Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:


  • Dumpling Breakfast
    $1.41
  • Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory
    $21
  • Ajisen Lunch for Two
    $7.36
  • Cantelope
    $1.70
  • Dumplings and Soup
    $2.12
  • Duck Dinner
    $4.24
  • Pastries
    $2.97
  • Barbeque Dinner
    $9.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai

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

  • Online Chinese Cooking Class: $22
  • Old Shanghai Breakfast Food Tour: $52
  • 3-Hour Shanghai Summer Night Local Dinner and Shopping Private Tour: $65
  • Private Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with Vegetarian Option: $69
  • Private Authentic Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with a Lovely Local: $70
  • 3-Hour Shanghai City Walking Tour with Dinner: $74
  • Shanghai yummy food tour: $75
  • A Bite of Shanghai Small-Group Food Tour: $80
  • Shanghai Hairy Crab Dinner: $85
  • Shanghai Evening Food Tour/Shanghai tour gastronomico nocturno: $85
  • Night Market & Street Food Tour in Shanghai: $95
  • 3-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai Night Tour with Local Dinner Option: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yangshuo $24
    Shanghai $8.63

Tours and Activities in Yangshuo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.

  • Xingping Li River Fisherman Show and Sunset Private Tour: $147

Typical Entertainment prices in Shanghai

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:


  • 30 Minute River Cruise for Two
    $28
  • Zoo for Two
    $14

Tours and Activities in Shanghai

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

  • 1 Day Bus Tour in Amazing Shanghai Highlights: $113
  • 1 Day Hangzhou Private Tour: $312
  • 1 Day Shanghai Airport Layover Private Tour for City Highlights: $202
  • 1 Day Shanghai Highlight Small Group Tour: $124
  • 1 Day of Shanghai Premiere Experience: $730
  • 1 day Nanjing tour from Shanghai by train: $400
  • 1 day Shanghai City Mini Group tour: $92
  • 1-Day Authentic Shanghai Tour by Walking & Metro: $193
  • 1-Day Private Shanghai City Tour to See Its Past, Present and Future: $204
  • 1-Day Private Shanghai to Wuzhen Tour to Admire the Classical Water Town: $271
  • 1-Day Private Tour to Hangzhou by car from Shanghai: $305
  • 1-Day Private Tour to Shanghai Museum,Yu Garden, the Bund and Nanjing Road: $178

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yangshuo $34
    Shanghai $7.53

Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai

Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Shanghai Luxury Bar Crawl in 5-star Hotel or Boutique Hotel: $255
  • 3 Hour Local Craft Beer Crawl with Brewery Tour: $350

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Yangshuo or Shanghai?

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 Shanghai in the Summer?

Both Shanghai and Yangshuo during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Shanghai in the summer. The temperature in Yangshuo is usually 30°C (86°F) in July, and Shanghai stays around 28°C (83°F).

Shanghai 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 Shanghai. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Yangshuo 30°C (86°F) 
    Shanghai 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Shanghai in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Shanghai. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Yangshuo is a little warmer than Shanghai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yangshuo in October are around 23°C (73°F), and Shanghai is about 19°C (65°F).

In October, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Yangshuo 23°C (73°F) 
    Shanghai 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Shanghai in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Shanghai. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.

It's quite cold in Shanghai in the winter. In January, Yangshuo is generally much warmer than Shanghai. Temperatures in Yangshuo average around 10°C (49°F), and Shanghai stays around 4°C (39°F).

Yangshuo usually gets more rain in January than Shanghai. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Yangshuo 10°C (49°F) 
    Shanghai 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Shanghai in the Spring?

Both Shanghai and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Yangshuo is a little warmer than Shanghai in the spring. The temperature in Yangshuo is usually 20°C (68°F) in April, and Shanghai stays around 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. In April, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Yangshuo 20°C (68°F) 
    Shanghai 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Shanghai and Yangshuo

Yangshuo Shanghai
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 4°C (39°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in) 15°C (58°F) 102 mm (4 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in) 20°C (67°F) 113 mm (4.5 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)


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Yangshuo vs. Shanghai Travel Comparison

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