Which place is cheaper, Dewa Sanzan or Dali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dali or Dewa Sanzan?
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 Dewa Sanzan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dali or Dewa Sanzan?
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.
Dewa Sanzan
Dewa Sanzan, Japan is a picturesque city in the Tohoku region which consists solely of the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. The mountains are considered holy to the Japanese Shinto religion and are a popular pilgrimage site, especially since many ascetic pilgrims live in the mountains and are occasionally spotted throughout the various hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDali $49Dewa Sanzan $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $49, while the average daily cost in Dewa Sanzan is $70. 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 Dewa Sanzan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDali $17Dewa Sanzan $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDali $34Dewa Sanzan $60
Compare Hotels in Dali and Dewa Sanzan
Looking for a hotel in Dali or Dewa Sanzan? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dewa Sanzan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dali $9.45Dewa Sanzan $24
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$0.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Dewa Sanzan?
Prices for flights to both Dewa Sanzan 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 $18Dewa Sanzan $26
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$4.54
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Breakfast$3.55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dali $18Dewa Sanzan $9.95
Tours and Activities in Dali
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
- 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
- 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
- All inclusive Dali Erhai cruise three pagoda xizhou market: $210
- Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
- Dali Yunnan Local Market + Pottery Making Eco Tour: $220
- Private Customized Tour: Dali City Highlights in One Day: $213
- Private Day Tour of Dali Explore the Ancient City: $274
- Private Day Tour: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town: $217
- Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175
Tours and Activities in Dewa Sanzan
For Dewa Sanzan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mount Haguro E-Bike Sightseeing Tour in Yamagata, Japan: $202
- Tsuruoka & Dewa-Sanzan Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $249
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDali $11Dewa Sanzan $7.84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dali and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.
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.