Which place is cheaper, Shandong or Shanxi?
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 Shanxi or Shandong?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Shanxi or Shandong? 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: Shanxi or Shandong?
Shanxi
Sometimes your vacation can be your link to ancient history. Any visit to the Shanxi Province of China lets you wander through this region's long and cultured history. This area was once the cradle of Chinese civilization – which becomes obvious by simply taking a look around the old temples, traditional Qing-dynasty architecture and the caves of Lijia-Shan. They are still inhabited to this day!
Shandong
Shandong Province, China is located on the Yellow Sea in the north eastern part of the country, with the Yellow River running throughout the province. The province is known for their natural beauty, ancient temples, and pristine cities. The province as a whole does not see many tourists, so expect to get some very friendly attention, especially when traveling through smaller cities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
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Shanxi Prices
China PricesShandong Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanxi $78Shandong $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanxi is $78, while the average daily cost in Shandong is $63. 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 Shanxi and Shandong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanxi $30Shandong $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanxi $60Shandong $46
Compare Hotels in Shanxi and Shandong
Looking for a hotel in Shanxi or Shandong? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanxi $19Shandong $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanxi or Shandong?
Prices for flights to both Shandong and Shanxi 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 dayShanxi $34Shandong $28
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanxi $20Shandong $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanxi $11Shandong $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanxi and Shandong, we can see that Shanxi is more expensive. And not only is Shandong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shandong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shandong 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 Shanxi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanxi than you might in Shandong.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanxi Expensive? and Is Shandong Expensive?.
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.