Should I Visit Dali or Benxi for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Dali or Benxi?

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 Benxi can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dali or Benxi?

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.

Benxi

Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing.

Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Dali?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Dali Prices
China Prices

Benxi Prices
China Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Dali $61

Benxi $116

The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $61, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $116. 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 Benxi in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Dali $17

Benxi $46
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Dali $34

Benxi $92

Compare Hotels in Dali and Benxi

Looking for a hotel in Dali or Benxi? 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

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Dali $9.13

Benxi $31

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

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

Local Bus

$0.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

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

Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,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

Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Benxi?

Prices for flights to both Benxi 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

Food Meals for one day

Dali $31

Benxi $52

Typical Food Prices in Dali

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

Lunch

$4.38
Breakfast

$3.43

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Dali $17

Benxi $7.24

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
Jizu Mountain Private Tour: $82
Shaxi Ancient Town Private Tour: $82
Zhoucheng Village Tie Dyeing Private Experience: $86
Dali XIzhou Ancient Town Private Tour: $86
1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175
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
1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Dali $11

Benxi $7.63

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dali and Benxi, we can see that Benxi 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 Benxi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Benxi 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 Benxi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dali or Benxi?

Benxi has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Dali and Benxi, 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.

A Travel Price Comparison for China Dali vs. Benxi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dali or Benxi?

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

Where Should I go: Dali or Benxi?

Dali

Benxi

Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Dali?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Dali and Benxi

Local Transportation

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Benxi?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Dali

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Dali

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Dali or Benxi?

Related Articles for Dali

Related Articles for Benxi

A Travel Price Comparison for China Dali vs. Benxi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dali or Benxi?

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

Where Should I go: Dali or Benxi?

Dali

Benxi

Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Dali?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Dali and Benxi

Local Transportation

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Benxi?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Dali

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Dali

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Dali or Benxi?

Related Articles for Dali

Related Articles for Benxi

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