A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sandakan vs. Shenyang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sandakan or Shenyang?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sandakan or Shenyang? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Sandakan or Shenyang?

Sandakan

Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.

Shenyang

Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.

When comparing the travel costs between Sandakan and Shenyang, we can see that Shenyang 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 Sandakan Expensive? and Is Shenyang Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Shenyang?

Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Shenyang, 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 Sandakan or Shenyang?

Shenyang has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Sandakan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Shenyang in the Summer?

Both Shenyang and Sandakan during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Sandakan is around the same temperature as Shenyang in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Shenyang fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Shenyang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the summer, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 214 hours of full sun.

Shenyang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Shenyang. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Shenyang in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Shenyang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.

In the autumn, Sandakan is much warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Shenyang averages at about 10°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenyang this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sandakan or Shenyang in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Shenyang. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Shenyang can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).

In the winter, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 167 hours of full sun.

Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Shenyang. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Shenyang in the Spring?

Both Shenyang and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.

Sandakan is much warmer than Shenyang in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Shenyang. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 241 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In April, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Shenyang and Sandakan