A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guilin vs. Dewa Sanzan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guilin or Dewa Sanzan?

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 Guilin and Dewa Sanzan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Guilin or Dewa Sanzan?

Guilin

Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan, Japan is a picturesque city in the Tohoku region which consists solely of the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. The mountains are considered holy to the Japanese Shinto religion and are a popular pilgrimage site, especially since many ascetic pilgrims live in the mountains and are occasionally spotted throughout the various hiking trails.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Dewa Sanzan or Guilin?

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

  • Guilin Prices
    China Prices
    Dewa Sanzan Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Guilin $84
    Dewa Sanzan $86

The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $84, while the average daily cost in Dewa Sanzan is $86. 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 Guilin and Dewa Sanzan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guilin $35
    Dewa Sanzan $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guilin $70
    Dewa Sanzan $58
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Dewa Sanzan

Looking for a hotel in Guilin or Dewa Sanzan? 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 Guilin


Hotels in Dewa Sanzan


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: Dewa Sanzan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guilin $5.85
    Dewa Sanzan $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $2.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:

  • [Airport Transfer] Haikou Airport ⇔ Haikou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter> *: $23
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $120
  • Transfer from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Guilin City Center: $41
  • Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
  • Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
  • Private Transfer from/to Zhangjiajie to Guilin: $387
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
  • Private Transfer from Haikou (HAK) airport to/from Sanya hotel: $120
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267

Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Dewa Sanzan?

Prices for flights to both Dewa Sanzan and Guilin 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
    Guilin $39
    Dewa Sanzan $43
Typical Food Prices in Guilin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:


  • Fresh Coconut Drink
    $1.40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin

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

  • Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
  • Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
  • Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guilin $28
    Dewa Sanzan $9.56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin

Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Caves
    $17

Tours and Activities in Guilin

Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
  • Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour with the Ping'an and Dazhai Village: $209
  • 1 Day Congjiang Ethnic Dong Village Private Tour from Guilin: $219
  • 1 Day Guilin Sanjiang Tour to Dong Villages: $169
  • 1 Day Guilin Tour: Village Visit, Waterfall Viewing, Hiking: $230
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Biking Adventure: $72
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide: $209
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $209
  • 1 Day Private Cruise Tour at Li River from Guilin with Biking: $198
  • 1 Day Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Village Tour: $202
  • 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $172
  • 1 Day Relaxing Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Tour: $205

Tours and Activities in Dewa Sanzan

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

  • Mount Haguro E-Bike Sightseeing Tour in Yamagata, Japan: $202
  • Tsuruoka & Dewa-Sanzan Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $249

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guilin $5.81
    Dewa Sanzan $7.53


When comparing the travel costs between Guilin and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guilin Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Guilin or Dewa Sanzan?

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 Guilin or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Dewa Sanzan. Also, the hiking are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

In the summer, Guilin is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guilin in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 23°C (74°F).

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guilin usually gets more rain in July than Dewa Sanzan. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Guilin 30°C (86°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails.

In October, Guilin is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 23°C (73°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. In October, Guilin usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Guilin 23°C (73°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Guilin during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Dewa Sanzan can get quite cold in the winter. Guilin is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the winter. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Guilin usually gets less rain in January than Dewa Sanzan. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Guilin 10°C (49°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan -1°C (30°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Dewa Sanzan.

In the spring, Guilin is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guilin in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 9°C (47°F).

Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guilin usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Guilin 20°C (68°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Guilin

Guilin Dewa Sanzan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) -1°C (30°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) -1°C (30°F) 151 mm (6 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in) 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 174 mm (6.8 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 13°C (56°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 2°C (35°F) 231 mm (9.1 in)