Is Lijiang expensive to visit?
While Lijiang is a popular place for travelers, it is also somewhat affordable and less expensive to visit. The average daily cost is $57, which is one of the many reasons for its popularity with tourists. When compared to other destinations in Asia, many visitors find it to be a reasonably affordable destination. It's in the top 25% of places in Asia for its affordability, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to Hanoi and Koh Pha Ngan.
Lijiang, China
How expensive is Lijiang?
Travelers spend an average of $57 per day when visiting Lijiang (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Lijiang here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Lijiang?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Lijiang costs around $172 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $343.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Lijiang?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Lijiang will cost around $401 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $801.
The Naxi people in traditional attire, Lijiang, China
Is it expensive to backpack in Lijiang?
With more than 7 hostels around town, Lijiang is a fairly popular backpacker destination. Hostels usually cost an average of $8 per night. There's a wide range in prices here, as the cheapest beds cost around $5. The most expensive dorm beds will cost more than $13 at times, too. (See hostel prices in Lijiang here.)
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Lijiang.
- $5 for a dorm bed at October Inn Hostel
- $11 for a dorm bed at Lijiang Desti Youth Park Hostel Shuhe Ancient Town
- $8 for a dorm bed at Tom's Home (ex. October Inn)
Are hotels expensive in Lijiang?
When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in Lijiang, we find them to be fairly typical and standard in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $0. The area boasts about five-star hotels with an average rate of $92 per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $43 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $27 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Lijiang
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 0 | $92 |
| 4 stars | 0 | $59 |
| 3 stars | 0 | $43 |
| 2 stars | 0 | $27 |
| 1 star | 0 | $43 |
| No rating | 0 | $41 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Lijiang?
In Lijiang, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $21 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $18.
- Private Full Day Lijiang Naxi Culture Tour: $209
- 1 Day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Baisha Village Private Tour: $245
- Lijiang Day Tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pool and Old Town: $193
- 1-Day Private Tour to Lijiang Highlights: $297
- Private Day Tour to Shangri-la from Lijiang by Car: $299
- Lijiang to Shangri-La Scenic Drive Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge: $119
- Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $208
- Lijiang Private Essentials Tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain including Cable Car: $258
Is food expensive in Lijiang?
In Lijiang, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $31 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $40.
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59
Is transportation expensive in Lijiang?
Exploring local transportation in Lijiang shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $6 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $16. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Lijiang
If you're planning a trip to Lijiang, China, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.