A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beirut vs. Lijiang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Beirut or Lijiang?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beirut and Lijiang. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Beirut or Lijiang?

Beirut

Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.

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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Beirut?

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 Beirut is $2.78, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $57. 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 Beirut and Lijiang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beirut $1.26
    Lijiang $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beirut $2.52
    Lijiang $34
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Lijiang

Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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.

Hotels in Beirut


Hotels in Lijiang


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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Lijiang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beirut $0.44
    Lijiang $5.97

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut

Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
  • Private Departure Transfer | Beirut Hotel to Airport: $10
  • Private Arrival Transfer | Beirut Airport to Your Hotel: $10
  • Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
  • Beirut-Rafic Hariri Airport Luxury Car Transfer: $70
  • Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $25
  • BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang

Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
  • Private Transfer from Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG) to Dali: $149
  • Ethnic Costume Photoshoot with Hotel Transfers: $131
  • Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
  • Lijiang Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
  • Lijiang Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Lijiang?

Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Beirut 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
    Beirut $1.23
    Lijiang $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut

For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $35
  • Beirut Street Food Tour, Lebanon: $74
  • Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
  • Beirut Street Food Tour | 4 Neighbourhoods · All Inclusive: $150
  • Private Beirut Street Food Tour with Lunch | Max 6 People: $150

Typical Food Prices in Lijiang

For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang

For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Lijiang Tibet Milk Tea & Homecooking Class with a Market Tour: $29
  • Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beirut $0.26
    Lijiang $21

Tours and Activities in Beirut

For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 3 Days Lebanon Holiday Tour Package: $264
  • 3-Day Tour of Beirut with Pick Up: $264
  • ATV (2 Seat) Full Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $195
  • ATV Adventure Half Day Guided Tour: $120
  • Afternoon Tour | Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar | Small Group: $75
  • Anjar baalback & Ksara tour: $130
  • Anjar, Baalbek & Ksara Semi-Private Tour | Max 10 · Lunch Incl: $55
  • Anjar, Baalbek & Ksara Winery Small-Group Tour | Lunch Included: $55
  • Anjar, Baalbek & Ksara Winery Small-Group Tour | Lunch Included: $55
  • Anjar, Baalbek & Ksara Winery Small-Group Tour | Lunch included: $55
  • Anjar, Baalbek & Ksara Winery | Budget Small-Group Tour Beirut: $45
  • BEYOND CHOUF mountains - Hidden Gems Mountains Day Tour: $250

Tours and Activities in Lijiang

For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 Day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Baisha Village Private Tour: $245
  • 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
  • 1-Day Lijiang tour with Lijiang Old Town,Black Dragon Pool,Baisha Village,Shuhe: $207
  • 1-Day Private Tour to Lijiang Highlights: $297
  • 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Group Tour: $264
  • 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
  • 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Lijiang to Dali and overnight in Shaxi old town: $212
  • 3days Dali Lijiang highlights tour start from Kunming: $700
  • 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $90
  • 7-Day Yunnan Culture & Nature Tour: $1,008
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang: $221

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beirut $0.23
    Lijiang $8.41

Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut

Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private Wine Tour | Chateau Musar, Ixsir & Batroun Day Trip: $75
  • Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut (Entrance Fee Included): $91
  • Private Wine Tour | Chateau Musar, Ixsir & Batroun from Beirut: $100
  • Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour | 3 Wineries from Beirut: $100
  • Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
  • PRIVATE Wine Tour in Central Bekaa Valley: $113
  • Private Cedar Hike & Bekaa Wine Tour | Kefraya & Ksara: $150
  • Discover Wine Tasting Lebanese Tour Experience: $170


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Lijiang, we can see that Lijiang is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut is in Middle East and Lijiang is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Lijiang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lijiang than you might in Beirut.

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


Which is Bigger, Beirut or Lijiang?

Beirut has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Lijiang. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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.