Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Dali?
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 Dali or Beijing?
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 Dali and Beijing can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dali or Beijing?
Dali
Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Dali Prices
China PricesBeijing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDali $62Beijing $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $62, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $91. 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 Dali and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDali $17Beijing $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDali $34Beijing $80
Compare Hotels in Dali and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Dali 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dali $9.34Beijing $7.83
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
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Local Bus$0.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service, Private Dali Airport Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG): $149
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.79
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Train from Airport for Two$7.01
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Taxi to Hotel$8.41
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2 Metro Passes$2.24
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Metro$0.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- [Airport Transfer] Beijing Capital Airport ⇔ Beijing City Transfer (one way) ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $25
- VIP Mutianyu Great Wall Tour: Expert Guide & Private Transfer: $87
- Universal Beijing Resort Private Transfer one way, City/Airport: $45
- Ultimate Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall Discovery with Airport Transfer: $186
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Beijing APT-HTL (PEK): $41
- Transfer: Beijing City Center to Beijing Airport (PEK): $42
- Transfer: Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) to Beijing City: $40
- Transfer to Daxing Intl Airport : $60
- Transfer to Beijing Capital Intl Airport : $35
- Transfer from Daxing Intl Airport : $60
- Tianjin Port Private transfers to Beijing Hotel&optionals: $219
- Tianjin International Cruise Port to Beijing Capital Airport by private transfer: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Dali 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 dayDali $32Beijing $34
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$4.49
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Breakfast$3.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dali
For Dali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cangshan Mountain hike and organic homemade dinner: $80
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.84
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.01
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.80
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Watermelon$1.96
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$17
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Two Popsicles$0.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
- Beijing Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing: $70
- Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dali $18Beijing $24
Tours and Activities in Dali
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Dali City Tour with Private Guide: $71
- Yunnan Dali Erhai 3 Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple One Day Tour: $74
- Zhoucheng Village Tie Dyeing Private Experience: $87
- Jizu Mountain Private Tour: $87
- Dali XIzhou Ancient Town Private Tour: $87
- Shaxi Ancient Town Private Tour: $99
- Private tour to Xizhou old town local market Erhai lake three Pagodas from Dali: $184
- Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
- Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $190
- 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
- Dali Yunnan Local Market Pottery Making Eco Tour: $197
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.41
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Two Opera Tickets$60
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.81
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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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:
- 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall and Beijing Airport Drop off Tour: $235
- 4-Hour Beijing Layover Tour to Hutong from Daxing Airport: $145
- All Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $188
- All Inclusive Private Tour: Juyongguan Greatwall, Sacred Road, MingTombs : $180
- Beijing 2 Summer Palace Private Garden Tour: $140
- Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with English Driver : $121
- Beijing Private Tour of Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Bird's Nest and Water Cube: $297
- China Art Museum and 798 Art Zone Private Tour: $137
- China National Museum Ticket Pre-booking and Tiananmen Square : $9.50
- Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights: $81
- Forbidden City Tour : $116
- Forbidden city with Tian'anmen square layover tour of Beijing : $240
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDali $11Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $158
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dali and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Dali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dali Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dali or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Dali and 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 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.