Which place is cheaper, Jinghong or Bagan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bagan or Jinghong?
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 Jinghong can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bagan or Jinghong?
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.
Jinghong
Located in the southernmost part of the Yunnan Province, Jinghong is a city that attracts visitors each year with its rich culture and folklore, Buddhist temples, and tropical rainforest scenery of palms and mango trees amongst others. It is also an area popular with backpackers as well as a waypoint for travelers passing between China and Laos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBagan $19Jinghong $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $19, while the average daily cost in Jinghong is $64. 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 Jinghong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBagan $4.76Jinghong $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBagan $9.52Jinghong $42
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Jinghong
Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Jinghong? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bagan $2.31Jinghong $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
- From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Jinghong?
Prices for flights to both Jinghong 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
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Food Meals for one dayBagan $3.85Jinghong $28
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bagan $37Jinghong $9.42
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
- Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48
- Private Day Tour to Mt Popa: $48
- Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
- Half Day Local Color Tour In Bagan: $57
- Full day Adventure Trip to Mt. Popa & Salay: $65
- Tuk Tuk tour to Mt. Popa : $67
- Private Bagan day tour by car with horse cart: $70
- Private Day Adventure Trip in Bagan : $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBagan -Jinghong $5.47
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Jinghong, we can see that Jinghong 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 Jinghong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jinghong 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 Jinghong Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bagan or Jinghong?
Jinghong has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Jinghong, 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.