A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bagan vs. Chongqing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bagan or Chongqing?

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 Bagan and Chongqing can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bagan or Chongqing?

Bagan

Located in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bagan is an ancient city best known as the home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas, and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.

Chongqing

Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Chongqing or Bagan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $34, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $111. 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 Bagan and Chongqing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bagan $7.36
    Chongqing $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bagan $15
    Chongqing $106
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Chongqing

Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Chongqing? 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.

Hotels in Bagan


Hotels in Chongqing


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bagan $3.57
    Chongqing $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:

  • From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $180

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:

  • Chongqing Airport Private Transfer: $22
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $25
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $60
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $30
  • Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
  • Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $88
  • Chongqing Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $55
  • Chongqing Private Transfer Airport Train Station Hotel Luxury Car: $10
  • 5-Day Private Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
  • Jiangbei International Airport Transfer 24h Services: $58
  • Wulong 3-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
  • Wulong 5-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $687

Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Chongqing?

Prices for flights to both Chongqing and Bagan 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 day
    Bagan $10
    Chongqing $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bagan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bagan.

  • Romantic Sunset Dinner At Bagan Viewing Tower: $91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.

  • Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner: $51
  • Be a Chongqinger - wet market tour &cooking class & paper cutting: $59
  • Half-Day Cultural Immersion with Cooking Class: $80
  • Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
  • Chongqing Food Tour: $93
  • Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner or Massage: $150
  • Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $245
  • From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $246

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bagan $57
    Chongqing $14

Tours and Activities in Bagan

Here are a few actual costs in Bagan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
  • Old Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $43
  • Private Bagan Cultural Tour: $46
  • Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
  • Private Day Tour to Mt Popa: $48
  • Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48
  • Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
  • Tuk Tuk tour to Mt. Popa: $67
  • Private Day Adventure Trip in Bagan: $71
  • Full day Adventure Trip in Bagan with Tuk Tuk: $72
  • Bagan Antique Day Tour in Bagan: $86
  • Mount Popa - Private Day Tour: $105

Tours and Activities in Chongqing

Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Wulong Private Tour All Inclusive: Premium Vehicle & local Lunch: $9.50
  • Premium Chongqing Private Tours: Highlights, Night View or Cruise: $9.50
  • Premium Chongqing Dazu Rock Carving Tour All Inclusive Best Guide: $10
  • Chongqing Luxury Hot Spring and Massage Luxury Meal Private Tour: $10
  • 520m-high Eye Skyview Deck Ticket for Adult: $26
  • Chongqing Private Guided Tour: $39
  • Two Rivers Night Cruise- Yangtze & Jialing Rivers: $40
  • Chinese calligraphy experience: $42
  • Chongqing 1949 Grand Theater Immersive Show Ticket: $43
  • Chongqing 8D Mountain City Full Day Join In Tour: $49
  • Private Chongqing Tour by Car with English Guide: $50
  • Century Cruises Chongqing to Yichang Yangzte River Tour: $61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bagan -
    Chongqing $7.39


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bagan or Chongqing?

Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 13220 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Chongqing, 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.