Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Darjiling?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Darjiling or Lijiang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Darjiling or Lijiang? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Darjiling or Lijiang?
Darjiling
What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
Lijiang
Lijiang is a city in Southwestern China with a history of rule under the Mu family during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It played a key role along the Ancient Southern Silk Road, which started from Burma, crossed Lijiang, Shangri-La County, Tibet, journeyed through Iran, the Fertile Crescent, and ultimately to the Mediterranean Sea. The area was once a center for trade, politics, culture, and education, which is still evident in the rich culture seen today. Lijiang has also been the home of centuries to the Naxi people who still inhabit the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDarjiling $35Lijiang $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Darjiling is $35, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $41. 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 Darjiling and Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDarjiling $13Lijiang $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDarjiling $26Lijiang $30
Compare Hotels in Darjiling and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Darjiling or Lijiang? 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: Darjiling Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Darjiling $7.48Lijiang $5.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darjiling
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rafting Journey at the Down on Teesta River's White Water with Private Transfer: $197
- Private Transfers Darjeeling - Gangtok Drop: $98
- Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali : $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Darjiling or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Darjiling 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 dayDarjiling $14Lijiang $17
Typical Food Prices in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Darjiling $12Lijiang $20
Tours and Activities in Darjiling
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
- 5-Day Private Tour of Gangtok and Darjeeling: $246
- A Full Day Tour Of Darjeeling: $232
- Best of Darjeeling (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
- Best of Gangtok (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $84
- Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $31
- Darjeeling Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Guide & Transports: $98
- Darjeeling Tea Garden Tour : $31
- Day Trip to Buddha Park (Guided Private Sightseeing Tour from Gangtok): $147
- Day Trip to Darjeeling (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $148
- Day Trip to Gangtok (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $147
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $148
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $147
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
- 1 Day Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour from Lijiang or Shangri-La: $170
- 1-Day Lijiang tour with Lijiang Old Town,Black Dragon Pool,Baisha Village,Shuhe: $207
- 1-Day Old Town Tour in Lijiang: $166
- 1-Day Private Tour to Lijiang Highlights: $297
- 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Lijiang to Dali and overnight in Shaxi old town: $212
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang: $221
- Beautiful Country road Biking tour to Xinhua village Heqing start from Lijiang: $173
- Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $208
- Lijiang Private Essentials Tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain including Cable Car: $258
- Lijiang Train Station Pick up and Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour : $170
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDarjiling $8.77Lijiang $7.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darjiling and Lijiang, we can see that Lijiang is more expensive. And not only is Darjiling much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darjiling would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darjiling 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 Lijiang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lijiang than you might in Darjiling.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Darjiling Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Darjiling or Lijiang?
Lijiang has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Darjiling. When comparing the sizes of Darjiling and Lijiang, 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.