Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Yangshuo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Yangshuo or Ulaanbaatar?
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 Yangshuo and Ulaanbaatar can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Ulaanbaatar?
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.
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It has a population of slightly over two million people, or about sixty percent of the country's entire population. You are likely to arrive in Ulaanbaatar either by train, coming from China or Russia, or by plane. Many people use Ulaanbaatar as a stop off while doing the Transsiberian Railway. The city is a great place to organize a tour of the surrounding countryside. It's also good city to relax, so make sure you allow yourself a few days to recover from your tour, enjoy some of the great food options, and see some of the fascinating cultural sights around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
-
Yangshuo Prices
China PricesUlaanbaatar Prices
Mongolia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $86Ulaanbaatar $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $86, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar is $30. 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 Yangshuo and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $26Ulaanbaatar $11
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $52Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Ulaanbaatar? 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: Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $43Ulaanbaatar $2.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Transfer 3 hours Private Tour: $89
- From Rock Climbing with Transfer Private (3 hours): $69
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Karst Caving Experience with Transfer From Yanghsuo: $69
- Liusanjie Light Show with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $69
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $49
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- VIP Airport Transfer-Cadillac Escalade (6 Passengers+6 Luggage): $266
- Airport Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Ulaanbaatar to or from Terelj National Park: $60
- Transfer service to Terelj national park : $51
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN by private Vehicule: $51
- Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN to Ulaanbaatar City : $51
- Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar City: $47
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $38
- Best Price :Terelj National Park Best Non-Guided Transfers: $36
- Private Airport Transfer taxi in Ulaanbaatar: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Yangshuo 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
-
Food Meals for one dayYangshuo $33Ulaanbaatar $15
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
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ulaanbaatar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ulaanbaatar.
- Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs: $182
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $24Ulaanbaatar $4.24
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket Booking : $45
- Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $48
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $49
- Yulong River Bamboo Rafting Experience: $52
- Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
- Yangshuo Walking Day Tour: $56
- Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
- Ticket of Impression Sanjie Liu Show: $62
- Amphibious Off-Road Biking Experience: $67
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Private Tour in Terelj: $177
- Private Tandem Paragliding Experience at Bayanzurkh Mountain: $100
- 1 Day Chinggis Khaan Statue & Terelj National Park Private tour: $180
- 1 Day City Tour with All-Museum Private Tour With Free Admission: $90
- 1 Day Coach Tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj (FREE dog sledding): $163
- 1 Day Semi-Gobi All-included tour : $146
- 1 Day Terelj Tour from Ulaanbaatar : $250
- 1 Day Tour: Khustai National Park: $206
- 1 Day tour: Khustai National Park: Przewalski's wild horses: $190
- 12 day Great Gobi and Central Mongolia full adventure: $2,210
- 2 Day Local experience by train visit Tunkhel town: $380
- 2 Day Manzushir Temple and Terelj National Park Tour overnight at nomad family: $266
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $34Ulaanbaatar $3.67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Yangshuo is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ulaanbaatar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ulaanbaatar 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 Yangshuo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangshuo than you might in Ulaanbaatar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Ulaanbaatar?
Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo and Ulaanbaatar, 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.
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.