Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Bagan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bagan or Shenzhen?
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 Shenzhen can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bagan or Shenzhen?
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.
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBagan $19Shenzhen $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $19, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $126. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBagan $4.76Shenzhen $91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBagan $9.52Shenzhen $182
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Shenzhen
Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Shenzhen? 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 $2.31Shenzhen $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU): $14
- From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $150
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to Hong Kong Airport (HKG) -Departure Private Transfer : $47
- A One-Way Hotel Pick-Up Transfer to Ocean Park Hong Kong: $26
- Arrival Transfer Hong Kong Kai Tak Port to Hong Kong by Minivan: $80
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Shenzhen Transfer: $71
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Port - Round- Trip Private Transfer : $93
- Hong Kong Airport HKG Private Transfer to Kowloon City: $35
- Hong Kong Airport to Hong Kong City Private Arrival Transfer: $92
- Hong Kong Disneyland: 1-Day Entry Ticket with Private Transfer: $165
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Private Transfer: $28
- Hong Kong MiniBus Transfer: Hotel / Cruise Terminal and Airport: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Shenzhen?
Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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 $3.85Shenzhen $20
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 Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegetarian Food Tour: $79
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $93
- Hong Kong Guided Dinner + Laser Show Lounge Entry (2023) | 200+ booked : $101
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $108
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $108
- Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
- Small Group Local Market Walking Tour and Chinese Cooking Class in Hong Kong: $132
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
- Private Food Tour With the Locals in Hong Kong: $148
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $172
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $172
- Kowloon Night Street Food Tour with a Local: Private & Customized: $191
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bagan $37Shenzhen $17
Tours and Activities in Bagan
Here are a few actual costs in Bagan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Acient Capitals of Myanmar Tour: $149
- BAGAN TEMPLES FULL DAY GUIDED BY ELECTRIC BIKE ( Private Tour ): $64
- Bagan Classics Private Temples Tour: $159
- Bagan Instagram Photo Tour: $179
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour with Horse Cart: $86
- Bagan and Mount Popa Private Tour (2 Days): $90
- Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
- Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
- Excellent Private Guided Tour Around Bagan With Lunch: $88
- Faces of Bagan Private Photography Tour: $199
- Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
- Full day Adventure Trip to Mt. Popa & Salay: $65
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Hong Kong: $9.07
- Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $11
- Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $11
- One Way Express Ticket in Kowloon Station Hong Kong Airport: $12
- Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $14
- Round Trip Express Ticket in Tsing Yi Station Hong Kong Airport : $14
- Walking Tour in Hong Kong - Local Experience (New & Best) : $17
- [Entry After 6pm] sky100 Min. 2pax Ticket (F-II_2P): $17
- sky100 Tales of Hongkong Admission Ticket F-KE: $21
- Hong Kong Airport Express Tickets Kowloon Station Round Trip: $22
- Dukling Boat Tour in Victoria Harbour: $25
- Historia Tour of the Youngest Big4 City of Old China: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBagan -Shenzhen $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bagan or Shenzhen?
Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 3340 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Shenzhen, 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.