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

Should you visit Chengdu or Datong?

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 Datong. 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 Datong?

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.

Datong

If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.


Which place is cheaper, Datong or Chengdu?

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 Chengdu is $67, while the average daily cost in Datong is $71. 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 Datong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chengdu $21
    Datong $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chengdu $42
    Datong $46
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Datong

Looking for a hotel in Chengdu or Datong? 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 Datong


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 $6.00
    Datong $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:

  • 3-Day Self-Guided Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong Tour with Transfer: $412
  • Algou Valley Hiking Tour with Roundtrip Transfer: $287
  • Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $230
  • 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Leshan Giant buddha with Round Airport Transfer: $205
  • Downtown to Mountain Emei round way transfer for one day service: $189
  • Downtown to Leshan round way transfer for one day service: $172
  • Downtown to Dujiangyan round way transfer: $161
  • Private Transfer from Chengdu to Mount Emei and Stops at Leshan Giant Buddha: $160
  • Leshan Buddha Optional Tours w/ Transfer or Guide: $156
  • Chengdu Private Round Trip Transfer to Emei Mountain: $128
  • Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
  • Round-Trip Private Transfer between Emei Shan and Chengdu City: $113

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong

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

  • Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128
  • Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12
  • Transfer or Tour to Yungang Grottoes&Hanging Temple: $102
  • Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
  • From 4-Day Private Tour to Pingyao with Transfer: $988
  • Private One Way Transfer from Datong to Beijing : $211
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Hanging Temple and Hengshan from Datong: $118
  • Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
  • Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Datong?

Prices for flights to both Datong 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 $38
    Datong $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu

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

  • Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
  • Chengdu Hidden Street Food Tour Spice Trails: $60
  • Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
  • Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit: $69
  • Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit: $75
  • Half day Sichuan Cuisine Cooking Class Tour(Cooking 3 dishes): $75
  • Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $80
  • Half-Day steamed Buns Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit: $80
  • Half-Day Private Hot-Pot Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit: $80
  • Chengdu Food Tour with Wenshu Yuan Monastery Visit: $82
  • Eat with Locals Chengdu Dinner Tour : $82
  • Half-Day Sichuan Cooking Class Experience in Chengdu: $84

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chengdu $16
    Datong $25

Tours and Activities in Chengdu

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

  • Chengdu Leshan Buddha and Drop off off Railway Station Day Tour: $226
  • Chengdu Mahjong Experience Multilingual Guide: $106
  • Chengdu Private Day Tour to the Leshan Giant Buddha and Huanglongxi Old Town: $248
  • Chinese Traditional Massage Experience In Chengdu: $58
  • Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Panda Base Day tour: $218
  • Dujingyan Panda Sanctuary Half day tour option panda volunteer : $170
  • Private Chengdu Panda Base and Sichuan Cuisine Museum Day Tour: $120
  • Private Day Tour Chengdu Panda Base and The Leshan Giant Buddha: $230
  • Private Full Day Chengdu Panda Base and Jinsha Site Museum Tour: $136
  • Private Leshan Buddha Day Tour with Local Market visiting: $227
  • 1 Day Tea Trip in Mount Mengding with Tea Making Experience: $135
  • 1 Day Wenshu Monastery Tea and Veggie Tour from Chengdu: $123

Tours and Activities in Datong

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.

  • Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket with Optional Tour Services: $24
  • Datong Private Self-guided Tour with Chartered Car: $26
  • Temples and Grottoes Day Tour with tickets option: $29
  • Beijing : Forbidden City Entry Ticket: $29
  • Temples and Grottoes Day Tour with tickets option: $29
  • Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket Only: $33
  • Pingyao Ancient City Scenic Area Pass Ticket Only: $36
  • YungangGrottoe HangingTemple Private Self-guided Tour by Car: $79
  • Datong Hanging Temple Wooden Pagoda Self-guided Tour by Car: $95
  • 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
  • Private Guided Tour of Yungang Grottoes&Huayan Monastery : $148
  • Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes Private Tour: $174

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chengdu $3.97
    Datong $12


When comparing the travel costs between Chengdu and Datong, we can see that Datong is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Datong?

Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Datong. When comparing the sizes of Chengdu and Datong, 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.