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

Should you visit Yangshuo or Whitsundays?

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

Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Whitsundays?

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.

Whitsundays

Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.

As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.

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 Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays is $155. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yangshuo $26
    Whitsundays $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yangshuo $52
    Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Whitsundays

Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Whitsundays? 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 Whitsundays


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
    Whitsundays $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo

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

  • Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
  • Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Between Airport & Yangshuo: $106
  • Private Yangshuo Transfer from Hotel to Longji terraces Hotel: $96
  • From Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Transfer 3 hours Private Tour: $89
  • Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
  • Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
  • From Rock Climbing with Transfer Private (3 hours): $69
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
  • Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
  • Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
  • Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48

Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Whitsundays?

Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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
    Whitsundays $52

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 Whitsundays

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

  • Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yangshuo $24
    Whitsundays $25

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: $170
  • 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
  • All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
  • 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
  • From Guilin: Yangshuo Rock-climbing & River-tracing Tour: $282
  • From Xingping River-tracing Half Day Private Tour: $102

Tours and Activities in Whitsundays

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

  • Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
  • MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953

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


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



When is the best time to visit Yangshuo or Whitsundays?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays in the Summer?

Both Whitsundays and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In July, Yangshuo is generally a little warmer than Whitsundaysin January. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 30°C (86°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. In July, Yangshuo usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Yangshuo 30°C (86°F) 
    Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Whitsundays in the Autumn?

Both Whitsundays and Yangshuo during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.

Whitsundays gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Yangshuo usually gets less rain in October than Whitsundaysin April. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Yangshuo 23°C (73°F) 
    Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Whitsundays in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Whitsundays.

In the winter, Yangshuo is much colder than Whitsundays. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yangshuo in January average around 10°C (49°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.

In January, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Whitsundaysin July. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Yangshuo 10°C (49°F) 
    Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Whitsundays in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Whitsundays.

In April, Yangshuo is generally cooler than Whitsundaysin October. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 20°C (68°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in April than Whitsundaysin October. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Yangshuo 20°C (68°F) 
    Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Yangshuo

Yangshuo Whitsundays
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 331 mm (13 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 377 mm (14.8 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 16°C (62°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)