A Travel Price Comparison for China Chengdu vs. Beijing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Asia / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Chengdu or Beijing?

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 Chengdu and Beijing. 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: Chengdu or Beijing?

Chengdu

Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Chengdu?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Chengdu is $50, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $77. 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 Chengdu and Beijing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chengdu $21
    Beijing $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chengdu $42
    Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Beijing

Looking for a hotel in Chengdu or Beijing? 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 Chengdu


Hotels in Beijing


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.
    Chengdu $5.93
    Beijing $7.63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:

  • 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Leshan Giant buddha with Round Airport Transfer: $205
  • 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Panda Base, city central with Round Airport Transfer: $192
  • Arrival Private Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu City by Executive Sedan: $103
  • Arrival Private Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu City by Standard Car: $53
  • Arrival Private Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu by Business Minivan: $112
  • Arrival Private Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu by Minivan: $61
  • Chengdu City to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $18
  • Chengdu Panda & Giant Buddha Day Tour With Private Transfer: $240
  • Chengdu Private Transfer from Chengdu central to Chengdu Airport (CTU): $79
  • Chengdu Shuangliu Airport Chauffeur Service, Chengdu Airport Transfer, Pickup: $53
  • Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Transfer to Downtown Hotel: $32
  • Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport: Private Transfer to/from Chengdu: $78

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:

  • 2-Day Highlights Group Tour With Beijing Airport Transfer Service : $247
  • Jinshanling Great Wall Self-hiking Tour by Private Transfer Service : $98
  • Private English Transfer to Shilin Gorge Platform And Ming City Wall : $140
  • Private One-Way Transfer Between Beijing Railway Station and Hotel: $30
  • Private Round Transfers to Gubei Water Town & Night View of Simatai Great Wall: $147
  • 1-Day Beijing Layover Private Tour: Forbidden City with Round Airport transfers: $198
  • 1-Day Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with Round Airport Transfers: $208
  • 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
  • 1-Way Private Transfer Service between Tianjin cruise Port and Beijing hotels: $301
  • 1-Way Private Transfer between Beijing Airport and City Hotels: $30
  • 2-Day Customizable Beijing Highlight Tour with Airport Transfer Option: $520
  • 2-Day Private Beijing Tour with PEK Airport Transfer: $335

Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Beijing?

Prices for flights to both Beijing and Chengdu 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
    Chengdu $22
    Beijing $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu

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

  • Xian Terracotta Army City Wall, Pagoda ,Muslim street food tour: $50
  • Chengdu evening food tour : $50
  • Chengdu evening food tour by bike: $50
  • Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $56
  • Private Sichuan Cooking Class including Local Wet Market Visit: $59
  • Sichuan cooking class half day tour: $60
  • Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch: $62
  • Half-Day Small Group Sichuan Cuisine Museum Tour with Cooking Class: $64
  • Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
  • Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
  • Half-Day Dandan Noodles Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $70
  • Half Day Chengdu Tofu Making Class with Mapo Tofu Cooking: $72

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.
    Chengdu $16
    Beijing $24

Tours and Activities in Chengdu

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

  • local people's opera house experience: $10
  • Skip the Line: Ticket to Face Changing Sichuan Opera: $19
  • Skip the Line: Best Sichuan Opera Show in Chengdu Ticket: $19
  • Skip the Line: Sichuan Opera Chengdu Ticket: $21
  • Sichuan Opera Night show Tickets : $25
  • Panda Breeding Center (Panda Base) & Taoism temple tour: $28
  • Chengdu Sichuan Opera Evening Show Ticket-Shu Feng Yan Yun Ticket: $29
  • Private Half-Day Walking Tour Unveil Night Life of Chengdu: $30
  • Sichuan Opera Tickets Booking: $33
  • Chengdu Sichuan Opera Evening Show Ticket - Shu Feng Yan Yun: $33
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour in Chengdu People's Park and Learning Mahjong: $34
  • 1.5-Hour VIP Manicure Experience in Chengdu Panda Style: $38

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chengdu $3.93
    Beijing $12

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 Chengdu and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Chengdu.

Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Beijing?

Beijing is bigger, and its population is about 89% larger than the population of Chengdu. When comparing the population of Chengdu vs. Beijing, 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 and the activities 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
More City Comparisons
Xigatse vs. Chengdu
Xigatse vs. Beijing
Lhasa vs. Chengdu
Lhasa vs. Beijing
Deqin vs. Chengdu
Deqin vs. Beijing
Zhengzhou vs. Chengdu
Zhengzhou vs. Beijing
Zhangye vs. Chengdu
Zhangye vs. Beijing
Jinghong vs. Chengdu
Jinghong vs. Beijing
Yichang vs. Chengdu
Yichang vs. Beijing
Yangshuo vs. Chengdu
Yangshuo vs. Beijing
Xi'an vs. Chengdu
Xi'an vs. Beijing
Xiamen vs. Chengdu
Xiamen vs. Beijing
Wuyuan vs. Chengdu
Wuyuan vs. Beijing
Wuhu vs. Chengdu
Wuhu vs. Beijing
Tianjin vs. Chengdu
Tianjin vs. Beijing
Taiyuan vs. Chengdu
Taiyuan vs. Beijing
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Chengdu vs. Beijing Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.