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

Should you visit Yangshuo or Shenzhen?

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

Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Shenzhen?

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.

Shenzhen

Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions.  It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Yangshuo?

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

  • Yangshuo Prices
    China Prices
    Shenzhen Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Yangshuo $91
    Shenzhen $148

The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $91, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $148. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yangshuo $27
    Shenzhen $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yangshuo $54
    Shenzhen $192
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Shenzhen

Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Shenzhen? 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 Shenzhen


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 $45
    Shenzhen $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo

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

  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $70
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
  • Private Yangshuo Transfer from Hotel to Longji terraces Hotel: $96
  • 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 One Way Transfer Service to Longsheng (Ping'an / Dazhai ) from Yangshuo: $78
  • Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
  • Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $42
  • Liusanjie Light Show with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $69
  • Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

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

  • Hong Kong Private Transfer from Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Airport to Hong Kong: $266
  • Private Transfer: Hong Kong to Macau via Zhuhai Bridge: $265
  • Hong Kong Airport (HKG) Transfer to Shenzhen by Toyota Alphard: $220
  • Private Transfer From Hong Kong to/from Macau: $215
  • Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Guangzhou hotels: $190
  • Private Transfer from Shekou Port to Guangzhou Int Airport (CAN): $190
  • Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Guangzhou City Hotels: $172
  • Hong Kong Pickup & Transfer to Macau Sightseeing & Dancing Water: $160
  • Private Transfer from Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Guangzhou: $156
  • Luxury Private Airport Transfer: Hong Kong International Airport: $149
  • HONG KONG Airport Private Transfer Service: $148
  • Hong Kong Private Transfer — Victoria Peak ⇄ Tian Tan Big Buddha: $148

Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Shenzhen?

Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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 $34
    Shenzhen $37

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
  • Yangshuo Hans Street Food Tour: $60
  • Yangshuo Cooking Class with Local Market Experience: $88
  • Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
  • The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town: $145

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Shenzhen Food Tour with Locals: $37
  • Hong Kong: Fresh Produce Market and Cook-to-Order Food Tour: $39
  • Hong Kong: 7-Course Hong Kong Street & Restaurant Food Tour: $59
  • Hong Kong's Tin Hau Hidden Gems Food Tour with 7+ Local Tastings: $107
  • Hong Kong Sightseeing Tour With Dinner Cruise From Shenzhen: $136
  • Hong Kong Private & Personalized Street Food Tour with a Local: $169
  • Kowloon Street Food Tour Private & Personalized with a Local: $170
  • Hong Kong Tour, Victoria Harbour Dinner Cruise & TurboJet Transfers from Macau: $170
  • The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour: $190
  • Kowloon Night Street Food Tour with a Local: Private & Customized: $195
  • Private Hong Kong Top Night Tour: Cruise, Aquarium Dinner, Peak: $249
  • Hong Kong Private Food Tour with Michelin Street Food: $294

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yangshuo $25
    Shenzhen $18

Tours and Activities in Yangshuo

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

  • 1-Day Guilin City Tour and Ends of Longji Rice Terraces from Yangshuo: $218
  • 1-Day Private Yangshuo Bicycle Tour along Ten-Mile Gallery: $119
  • 1-Day Terracotta Warriors Tour from Beijing/Chengdu/Shanghai: $497
  • 1-Day Tour: Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat and Ruyi Peak Cable Car: $149
  • 1-Day Yangshuo Chinese Culture and Bicycle Tour: $85
  • 4-Hour Small Group Rock Climbing Tour in Yangshuo: $61
  • All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
  • All-inclusive Private Day Tour to Longji Rice Terraces and Village: $190
  • Day Tour in Yangshuo and Li River: $155
  • Enchanting Li River & Beyond: Cruise, Peaks & Panorama: $293
  • Entry Ticket to Liu San Jie Impression Show: $71
  • From Guilin: 6-Day Yangtze River Cruise with Excursions: $1,299

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4-Hour Small Group Kowloon Sightseeing Tour: $103
  • A Magical Evening in Hong Kong: Private City Tour: $110
  • A Perfect Hong Kong Layover - 5h private tour: $300
  • Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $53
  • BYD Shenzhen Factory Tour With Pickup From Hong Kong: $157
  • Best Seller: VIP Lantau Tai O Tour Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha: $99
  • Between Capitalism & Communism: Hong Kong History Tip Based Tour: $2.62
  • Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $56
  • Boat Tour Through Four Sea Arches in Sai Kung, Hong Kong Geopark: $78
  • Central District, Tram, Victoria Peak, Madame Tussauds Day Tour: $120
  • Comprehensive Shenzhen Tech Tour: A Deeper Look at the Future: $174
  • Congjiang and Zhaoxing Tour by Bullet Train with Pickup from Hong Kong: $284

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yangshuo $35
    Shenzhen $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:

  • Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $13


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


Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Shenzhen?

Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo and Shenzhen, 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 Shenzhen?

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 Shenzhen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Shenzhen.

In the summer, Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yangshuo in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 30°C (85°F).

Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yangshuo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Yangshuo usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Yangshuo 30°C (86°F) 
    Shenzhen 30°C (85°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Shenzhen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Shenzhen.

In October, Yangshuo is generally cooler than Shenzhen. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 23°C (73°F), and Shenzhen fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. Yangshuo usually gets less rain in October than Shenzhen. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Yangshuo 23°C (73°F) 
    Shenzhen 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Shenzhen in the Winter?

Both Shenzhen and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Yangshuo is much colder than Shenzhen in the winter. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Shenzhen fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In January, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Shenzhen. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Yangshuo 10°C (49°F) 
    Shenzhen 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Shenzhen in the Spring?

Both Shenzhen and Yangshuo during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Yangshuo is cooler than Shenzhen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yangshuo in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Shenzhen 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 April than Shenzhen. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Yangshuo 20°C (68°F) 
    Shenzhen 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Shenzhen and Yangshuo

Yangshuo Shenzhen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 325 mm (12.8 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 29°C (83°F) 382 mm (15 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 30°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 29°C (85°F) 393 mm (15.5 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 300 mm (11.8 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)