A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sukhothai vs. Dalian for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sukhothai or Dalian?

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 Sukhothai and Dalian can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Dalian?

Sukhothai

If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.

Dalian

Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Dalian, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Sukhothai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sukhothai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sukhothai 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian than you might in Sukhothai.

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

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Dalian?

Dalian has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Dalian, 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 Sukhothai or Dalian?

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

Should I visit Sukhothai or Dalian in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Dalian. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round.

In July, Sukhothai is generally a little warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 29°C (84°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Dalian receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sukhothai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dalian. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Dalian in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Dalian. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Sukhothai is much warmer than Dalian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Dalian fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in October than Dalian. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. May to October in Sukhothai is the rainy season.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Dalian in the Winter?

Both Dalian and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dalian. In the winter, Sukhothai is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sukhothai in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Dalian averages at about -4°C (25°F).

In January, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Dalian. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Dalian in the Spring?

Both Dalian and Sukhothai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sukhothai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Sukhothai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Sukhothai is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 32°C (89°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Sukhothai usually gets more rain in April than Dalian. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to April is the dry season in Sukhothai. May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai.

Typical Weather for Dalian and Sukhothai