Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur or Yangshuo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Yangshuo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kuala Lumpur or Yangshuo?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
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Kuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia PricesYangshuo Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $83Yangshuo $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $83, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo 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 Kuala Lumpur and Yangshuo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $41Yangshuo $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $82Yangshuo $52
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Yangshuo
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Yangshuo? 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $7.21Yangshuo $43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.57
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.76
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Short Taxi Ride$3.57
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Taxi From Airport$21
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Bus from Airport$1.90
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Singapore: $270
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Penang: $270
- ~Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan Transfer [MPV]: $268
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Penang Island Transfer [Car]: $266
- Cameron Highlands Transfer Private (Per Vehicle): $260
- Cameron Highlands One Way Transfer: $259
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Desaru Transfer [Car]: $240
- Private Transfer from Shah Alam city to Malacca Cruise Port: $239
- KUL Hotel to Johor Bharu(One Way Transfer): $237
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Johor Bharu: $237
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $234
- Kuala Lumpur City Hotels to Singapore City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $230
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: $56
- 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(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Yangshuo?
Prices for flights to both Yangshuo and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $29Yangshuo $33
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.51
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Roti Bread$0.24
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Food Court Lunch$3.42
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- Glowing Firefly Private Tour With Dinner: $59
- Malaysia Cooking Classes With Local: $60
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Blue Tears Tour with Dinner (SIC): $62
- Malaysian Hands-On Cooking Class : Masala Medley : $63
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.Kuala Lumpur $15Yangshuo $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.19
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure Sports & Thrilling White-water Rafting in Kampar River: $182
- Cameron Highland Day Tour From Kuala Lumpur By Group: $155
- Full Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour with Petronas Twin Tower Tickets: $95
- Half Day Kuala Lumpur Culture And Communities Exploration Tour: $30
- Historic And Heritage Melaka Tour: $55
- KL Tour with Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck & Batu Cave: $145
- KLCC Lake Symphony & The River of Life Tour from Kuala Lumpur: $33
- Kuala Lumpur (Genting Highlands 7.5 hours Private Tour): $61
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day City Tour Cruise Excursion from Port Klang: $65
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Family Tour With Aquaria KLCC : $105
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $184
- Petronas Twin Tower Tickets with City Tour: $80
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.58Yangshuo $34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When comparing the travel costs between Kuala Lumpur and Yangshuo, we can see that Yangshuo 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Yangshuo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Yangshuo?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Yangshuo, 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 Kuala Lumpur or Yangshuo?
Yangshuo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Yangshuo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Yangshuo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
In the summer, Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Yangshuo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 30°C (86°F).
Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Yangshuo 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Yangshuo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Yangshuo. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Kuala Lumpur is generally a little warmer than Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Yangshuo. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Yangshuo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Yangshuo in the Winter?
Both Yangshuo and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Yangshuo in the winter. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Yangshuo. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Yangshuo 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Yangshuo in the Spring?
Both Yangshuo and Kuala Lumpur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Yangshuo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 20°C (68°F).
Yangshuo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets less rain in April than Yangshuo. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Yangshuo 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Yangshuo and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Yangshuo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.