A Travel Price Comparison for China Beijing vs. Shangri-La for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Beijing or Shangri-La?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Shangri-La can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Beijing or Shangri-La?

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.

Shangri-La

The original Shangri-La existed in the fictional world of James Hilton's novel "The Lost Horizon." It was a hidden paradise, a place so beautiful that it couldn't possibly exist on earth. The Shangri-La that exists in Yunnan, China today was renamed from its former title Zhongdian in 2001 in order to associate the place with the mystical allure created in Hilton's novel. Visitors come to admire the traditional monasteries and temples set against a backdrop of mountain preserves and pristine lakes.

Which place is cheaper, Shangri-La or Beijing?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $77, while the average daily cost in Shangri-La is $46. 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 Beijing and Shangri-La in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beijing $39
    Shangri-La $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beijing $78
    Shangri-La $38
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Shangri-La

Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Shangri-La? 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 Beijing


Hotels in Shangri-La


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.
    Beijing $7.63
    Shangri-La $10
Typical Local Transportation prices in Beijing

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:


  • Taxi
    $4.71
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $6.90
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.28
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.21
  • Metro
    $0.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:

  • From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $17
  • Beijing Airport Transfer: $21
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beijing Train Stations: $22
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Train Stations to Hotel: $22
  • Beijing Railway Station Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel/Apartment: $23
  • Beijing Railway Station Departure Transfer: Hotel/Apartment to Railway Station: $23
  • Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Transfer with Options: $24
  • Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Private Transfer: $25
  • Private Airport Pick Up or Drop Off Transfer: $26
  • Beijing Capital International Airport Transfers: $27
  • Private One Way Transfer Services from Train Stations in Beijing to Your Hotels : $27
  • Private One Way Transfer Service from Your Hotels to Train Stations in Beijing: $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shangri-La

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shangri-La:

  • Private Transfer from Shangri-La to Lijiang and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $160
  • Private Transfer from Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel : $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Shangri-La?

Prices for flights to both Shangri-La and Beijing 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
    Beijing $21
    Shangri-La $19
Typical Food prices in Beijing

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:


  • Popcorn
    $0.83
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $6.90
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.76
  • Watermelon
    $1.93
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $16
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.83

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing

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

  • Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
  • Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
  • 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $35
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
  • Private Old Beijing Street Food Tour: $75
  • Authentic Lunch or Dinner Tour in Beijing's Best Hidden Spots: $80
  • Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
  • Beijing Hutong Neighborhood: Food and Dinner Tour: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beijing $24
    Shangri-La $16
Typical Entertainment prices in Beijing

Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Summer Palace for Two
    $8.28
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $59
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $9.66
  • Forbidden City (for 2)
    $17
  • Forbidden City Tickets
    $17
  • Audio Guides at Forbidden City
    $11

Tours and Activities in Beijing

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

  • Hutongs Free Walking Tour : $5.00
  • Beijing Temple of Heaven Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $5.00
  • Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
  • Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $8.00
  • Beijing Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Beijing Forbidden City Admission Ticket Pre Booking Service: $9.98
  • Forbidden City Free Walking Tour: $10
  • Temple of Heaven Free Walking Tour: $10
  • Temple of Heaven Tickets Booking: $10
  • Summer Palace Tickets Booking: $11
  • Tiananmen Square Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
  • Fantastic Beijing around Tiananmen Square Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16

Tours and Activities in Shangri-La

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shangri-La are as follows:

  • 1 day Shangri-La Highlights Mini Private Tour: $117
  • 1-Day Shangri-La Private Tour: Potatso National Park and Baiji Temple: $169
  • 1-Day Shangri-La Tour to Ganden Monastery, Nixi Pottery Village and Tibetan Town: $185
  • 1-Day Shangri-La tour with Ganden Monastery, Napahai Lake and Tibetan Town: $190
  • 1 Day Shangri-la City Tour with Pudacuo National Park: $209
  • 2-Day Shangri-La Private Tour: $328
  • 3-Day Shangri-la Private Tours from Shanghai in Your Way: $398
  • 2-Days Lijiang Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour and drop off at Lijiang area: $492
  • 2 Days Kawa Karpo Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Tour: $501
  • Two Days Shangri-la Highlights Tours: $635
  • 5-Days Tour from Shangri-La to Lijiang to and overnight in Tiger Leaping Gorge: $933
  • 4 Days Yubeng Trekking Tour: $1,015

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beijing $12
    Shangri-La $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:

  • Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $99
  • Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $118
  • 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
  • Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $228

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

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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.
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Beijing vs. Shangri-La Travel Comparison

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