Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Yangshuo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Yangshuo or Yakushima?
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 Yakushima can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Yakushima?
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.
Yakushima
Yakushima, Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage island located north of Okinawa and off the south east of of Kyushu. The island is well-known to Japanese tourists but not so much to international ones, making it a bit of a hidden gem to international tourists. This also means that English isn't spoken as much as in larger cities, so make sure to brush up on your Japanese and bring a dictionary.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
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Yangshuo Prices
China PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $86Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $86, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $141. 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 Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $26Yakushima $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $52Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Yakushima? 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: Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $43Yakushima $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
- From Rock Climbing with Transfer Private (3 hours): $69
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- From Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Transfer 3 hours Private Tour: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima 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 $33Yakushima $50
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $24Yakushima $21
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket Booking : $45
- Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $48
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $49
- Yulong River Bamboo Rafting Experience: $52
- Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
- Yangshuo Walking Day Tour: $56
- Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
- Ticket of Impression Sanjie Liu Show: $62
- Amphibious Off-Road Biking Experience: $67
Tours and Activities in Yakushima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:
- Private Guided Tour: $336
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $34Yakushima $6.61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima 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 Yakushima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yakushima 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 Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Yangshuo or Yakushima?
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 Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Yangshuo during the summer are popular places to visit.
Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima 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 Yakushima. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Yakushima.
In the autumn, Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yangshuo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Yangshuo usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Yakushima.
In January, Yangshuo is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 10°C (49°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Yangshuo usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Yangshuo is a little warmer than Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. In April, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 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.