Which place is cheaper, Mandalay or Deqin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Deqin or Mandalay?
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 Mandalay. 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 Mandalay?
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.
Mandalay
Located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on the banks of the Irawaddy River, Mandalay is the nation's second largest city behind Yangon. It is centered on the restored Royal Palace and has a large population of Buddhist monks who frequent the city's many temples and monasteries.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDeqin $65Mandalay $9.45
The average daily cost (per person) in Deqin is $65, while the average daily cost in Mandalay is $9.45. 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 Mandalay in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDeqin $36Mandalay $5.60
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDeqin $72Mandalay $11
Compare Hotels in Deqin and Mandalay
Looking for a hotel in Deqin or Mandalay? 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.Deqin $19Mandalay -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $200
- From Private Transfer to Bagan: $150
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer : $43
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Deqin or Mandalay?
Prices for flights to both Mandalay 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
-
Food Meals for one dayDeqin $16Mandalay $3.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mandalay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mandalay.
- Myanmar traditional cooking class with local: $26
- Bamboo Bike Food Tour: $42
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Deqin $13Mandalay -
Tours and Activities in Mandalay
Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Mandalay Bike 'n Bite Tour: $43
- Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $45
- Half day tour to Amapura: $52
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $53
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $53
- Mandalay Full-Day Tour: $60
- U Bein Bridge Sunset Cycling Day Tour from Mandalay: $60
- Half day to Mandalay city tour: $65
- Private Full-Day Sightseeing Tour: $65
- Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $65
- One Day Tour Of Mandalay,Sagaing,Innwa,Amarapura : $70
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDeqin $11Mandalay -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Deqin and Mandalay, we can see that Deqin is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mandalay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandalay 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 Mandalay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Deqin Expensive? and Is Mandalay 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.