Which place is cheaper, Wuyuan or Sandakan?
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 Sandakan or Wuyuan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Wuyuan? 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 Wuyuan?
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.
Wuyuan
Wuyuan, China is a small city in the Jiangxi Province in the south central area of the country. The city acts as a transport hub for the province, with many main bus routes running through it. Wuyuan also acts as the main thoroughfare when traveling to local remote villages in the area. It is best to know some Mandarin as this region does not see many non-Mandarin speaking tourists, which also means you should expect some very friendly attention!
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesWuyuan Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Wuyuan $73
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Wuyuan is $73. 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 Sandakan and Wuyuan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Wuyuan $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Wuyuan $52
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Wuyuan
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Wuyuan? 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: Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $37Wuyuan $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sandakan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sandakan:
- Private 1Way Transfer to/from Sandakan Airport, City or Sepilok: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Wuyuan?
Prices for flights to both Wuyuan and Sandakan 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 daySandakan $36Wuyuan $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sandakan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sandakan.
- Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan: $64
- Sandakan : Fireflies and Mangrove Cruise with Dinner: $193
Typical Food Prices in Wuyuan
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wuyuan:
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Gummy Candy$0.28
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Cookies$0.70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Wuyuan $19
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $112
- Borneo : Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, and Sun Bear Tour: $338
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $230
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $260
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- From Sandakan to Kinabatangan River Safari Boat Cruise Day Tour: $163
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Full Day At Sepilok Orangutan, Sun Bear & Sandakan City Tour: $164
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Wuyuan $14
When comparing the travel costs between Sandakan and Wuyuan, we can see that Sandakan 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 Wuyuan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sandakan or Wuyuan?
Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Wuyuan. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Wuyuan in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Wuyuan fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Wuyuan. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Wuyuan. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Wuyuan 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Wuyuan in the Autumn?
Both Wuyuan and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
In the autumn, Sandakan is a little warmer than Wuyuan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Wuyuan averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Wuyuan. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Wuyuan 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Wuyuan in the Winter?
Both Wuyuan and Sandakan during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Wuyuan. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Wuyuan fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Wuyuan. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Wuyuan 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Wuyuan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Wuyuan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
Sandakan is much warmer than Wuyuan in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Wuyuan fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Wuyuan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Wuyuan. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Wuyuan 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Wuyuan and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Wuyuan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 123 mm (4.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 48 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.