Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Bali?
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 Bali or Lijiang?
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 Bali and Lijiang can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bali or Lijiang?
Bali
Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.
Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.
Lijiang
Lijiang is a city in Southwestern China with a history of rule under the Mu family during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It played a key role along the Ancient Southern Silk Road, which started from Burma, crossed Lijiang, Shangri-La County, Tibet, journeyed through Iran, the Fertile Crescent, and ultimately to the Mediterranean Sea. The area was once a center for trade, politics, culture, and education, which is still evident in the rich culture seen today. Lijiang has also been the home of centuries to the Naxi people who still inhabit the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Bali Prices
Indonesia PricesLijiang Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBali $85Lijiang $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $85, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $55. 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 Bali and Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBali $40Lijiang $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBali $80Lijiang $32
Compare Hotels in Bali and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Bali or Lijiang? 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: Bali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bali $8.68Lijiang $5.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
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Motorbike Rental$2.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Denpasar HTL-APT(DPS) : $8.88
- Traditional Balinese Massage with Hotel Transfer: $50
- Ride Bali ATV Adventure Ticket And Transfer: $34
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer: Denpasar International Airport to Nusa Dua Area: $15
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $32
- Nusa Dua Departure transfer to Bali Airport International (DPS): $13
- LuxMe Bali Four Hands massage with Hotel Transfer: $58
- Denpasar Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $25
- Bali Water Sport : Sea Walker,Donut Boat and Banana Boat with Hotel Transfers: $72
- Bali Spiritual: Blessing Ceremony, Pristine Nature and Transfer: $115
- Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers: $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
- Ethnic Costume Photoshoot with Hotel Transfers: $131
- Private Transfer from Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG) to Dali : $149
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Bali 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 dayBali $34Lijiang $30
Typical Food Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
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Coffee$1.19
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Lunch for Two$13
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Bali Cafe for Two$26
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Lunch for Two$7.75
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Lunch for 2$8.59
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Dinner for 2$9.42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
- Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $36
- Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $40
- South Bali Beach Tour, Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Fire Dance & Seafood Barbeque Dinner: $50
- Kekeb Cooking Class at Nusa Dua: $55
- Bali Famous Beach, Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Sunset, Dinner: $65
- Bali Street Food Tour: $65
- Sidemen Cooking Class: $77
- Pure Bali Village Experience, Cooking & Jamu Class+VIP Transfer: $89
Typical Food Prices in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bali $10Lijiang $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
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Spa for Two$52
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Snorkelling Trip$12
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Cooking School$27
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
- Bali Telaga Waja White Water Rafting Adventure : $55
- Legendary Scenic Spots Of Nusa Penida Private Guided Day Tour: $37
- Sightseeing to Ulundanu temple, banyumala waterfall & Tanah lot: $57
- Ubud Bali ATV Quad Bike Adventure: $45
- 3-Days Lombok,Gili island Tour Hopping around departure from Bali island: $300
- 5 Hours Bali Blue Lagoon Snorkeling Tour Including Tanjung Jepun: $59
- Alas Harum Bali Cretya Tegalalang Rice Terrace Ubud Swing Ticket: $25
- Amazing Private Tour: Lempuyang temple, Tirta gangga, Tukad cepung waterfall: $60
- Bali ATV Adventure: $61
- Bali ATV Quad Bike Adventure and Snorkeling Tour: $99
- Bali Benoa Shore Excursion for Cruise's Passenger - All Inclusive: $49
- Bali Instagram Tour : The Most Popular Spots In Bali: $62
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Via Ferrata with Zipline Experience in Lijiang: $42
- Biking tour&guide visit Lijiang baisha village market park: $50
- 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $72
- Tiger Leaping Gorge with Lijiang Private Tour: $112
- Lijiang to Shangri-La HuXiang Road Private Scenic Tour: $116
- Lijiang：Yulong Snow Mountain Yakniuping Cableway Day Tour: $117
- Lijiang to Shangri-La Scenic Drive Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge: $119
- Baisha, Naxi Village, Lashi Wetlands Private Tour: $120
- Ethnic-Style Travel Photoshoot Immersive Experience: $131
- 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
- 1 Day Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour from Lijiang or Shangri-La: $170
- Beautiful Country road Biking tour to Xinhua village Heqing start from Lijiang: $173
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBali $3.07Lijiang $7.98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Lijiang, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Lijiang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lijiang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lijiang 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 Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali than you might in Lijiang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bali or Lijiang?
Lijiang has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Lijiang, 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.