Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Deqin?
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 Deqin or Lijiang?
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 Deqin and Lijiang. 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: Deqin or Lijiang?
Deqin
Highly influenced by Tibet, Deqin is both a county and a town located in the Hengduanshan Mountains of China's Yunnan province. Most people visit the area as a home base from which to hike into the surrounding mountains, though the temples and traditional villages also add to the allure of the area.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.
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Deqin Prices
China PricesLijiang Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDeqin $75Lijiang $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Deqin is $75, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $53. 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 Deqin and Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDeqin $35Lijiang $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDeqin $70Lijiang $30
Compare Hotels in Deqin and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Deqin 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Deqin $18Lijiang $5.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
- Ethnic Costume Photoshoot with Hotel Transfers: $128
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into Deqin or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Deqin 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 dayDeqin $27Lijiang $29
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$4.13
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.Deqin $13Lijiang $19
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Biking tour&guide visit Lijiang baisha village market park: $50
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Private Tour: $73
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Private Day Tour: $77
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Lijiang Scenic Train Private Tour: $79
- Lijiang Old Town Private Tour: $79
- Tiger Leaping Gorge Private Day Tour: $104
- Lijiang to Shangri-La HuXiang Road Private Scenic Tour: $104
- Half-Day Private Tour Tiger Leaping Gorge in Lijiang : $106
- Ethnic-Style Travel Photoshoot Immersive Experience: $128
- 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
- Beautiful Country road Biking tour to Xinhua village Heqing start from Lijiang: $173
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDeqin $11Lijiang $7.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Deqin and Lijiang, we can see that Deqin is more expensive. And not only is Lijiang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lijiang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lijiang 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 Deqin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Deqin than you might in Lijiang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Deqin Expensive? and Is Lijiang 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.