Which place is cheaper, Yaeyama Islands or Yangshuo?
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 Yangshuo or Yaeyama Islands?
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 Yaeyama Islands can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Yaeyama Islands?
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.
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama Islands is a cluster of islands located in the southwestern part of Japan, close to Taiwan. There are nine different islands, varying from small islets to large holiday resort islands. The Yaeyama Islands are one of the most popular destination in Japan due to their beautiful beaches and underwater ruins. Yaeyama is also known for having their own language and writing system. For the most part, everyone on the Islands speak Japanese, but you'll often find the Yaeyama writing on T-shirts in souvenir shops or scattered around Yaeyama.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.
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Yangshuo Prices
China PricesYaeyama Islands Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $86Yaeyama Islands $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $86, while the average daily cost in Yaeyama Islands is $118. 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 Yaeyama Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $26Yaeyama Islands $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $52Yaeyama Islands $112
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Yaeyama Islands
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Yaeyama Islands? 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: Yaeyama Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $43Yaeyama Islands $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
- From Rock Climbing with Transfer Private (3 hours): $69
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- From Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Transfer 3 hours Private Tour: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Yaeyama Islands?
Prices for flights to both Yaeyama Islands 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
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Food Meals for one dayYangshuo $33Yaeyama Islands $50
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
- Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
- The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
- Combo Impression Sanjie Liu Show and Authentic Cooking Experience: $199
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $24Yaeyama Islands $8.93
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $34Yaeyama Islands $6.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Yaeyama Islands, we can see that Yaeyama Islands is more expensive. And not only is Yangshuo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yangshuo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangshuo 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 Yaeyama Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yaeyama Islands than you might in Yangshuo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Yaeyama Islands Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Yangshuo or Yaeyama Islands?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Yangshuo or Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?
Both Yaeyama Islands and Yangshuo during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Yangshuo is generally around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 30°C (86°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in July than Yaeyama Islands. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Yaeyama Islands. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
Yangshuo is cooler than Yaeyama Islands in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Yangshuo usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Yaeyama Islands. Additionally, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year.
In the winter, Yangshuo is much colder than Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yangshuo in January average around 10°C (49°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Yangshuo usually gets less rain in January than Yaeyama Islands. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?
Both Yaeyama Islands and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Yangshuo is generally cooler than Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 20°C (68°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. In April, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Yaeyama Islands. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Yaeyama Islands is May to June.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Yaeyama Islands | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 231 mm (9.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.