Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Doha?
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 Doha or Lijiang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Doha and Lijiang can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Doha or Lijiang?
Doha
Doha is the capital city of Qatar, modern and rapidly developing with much construction underway. It is home to Doha International Airport, the main point of entry for Qatar, as well as many of the country's best museums and examples of cultural heritage.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Doha Prices
Qatar PricesLijiang Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $244Lijiang $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $244, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $57. 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 Doha and Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $119Lijiang $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $238Lijiang $34
Compare Hotels in Doha and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Doha 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: Doha Hotel Prices and Lijiang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Doha $23Lijiang $5.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- Transfer from Hamad Airport to Doha City - Stress-Free Tranafer: $40
- Qatar Doha Airport (DOH) to Qatar Doha - Private Transfer: $41
- Qatar Doha Airport (DOH) to Doha - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $82
- Private Transfer: Hamad Airport DOH to Doha by Business Car: $84
- Private Transfer from Doha Hamad Airport(DOH) to Doha Cruise Port: $95
- Private Transfer from Doha Cruise Port to Doha City Hotels: $57
- Private Transfer from Doha City Hotels to Doha Cruise Port: $57
- Private Jet Ski at Katara Beach with Transfer: $75
- Private Car Transfer from Doha City: $20
- Private Arrival Transfer to Sumaysimah: $70
- Hamad Airport Transfer Service – 24/7 Door-to-Door Transport: $98
- From North of Qatar Guided Tour with Transfers: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lijiang Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Lijiang Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
- Ethnic Costume Photoshoot with Hotel Transfers: $131
- Private Transfer from Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG) to Dali: $149
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Doha 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 dayDoha $106Lijiang $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.
- Starlight Dhow Cruise Dinner Experience on Doha Waterfront: $34
- Traditional Sunset Dhow Cruise Tour with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $35
- Traditional Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner on board: $50
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Doha Bay A Traditional Dhow Experience: $55
- Qatar: Desert Dune Bashing with lunch/dinner in Desert Beach Camp: $55
- Moonlight Dinner Cruise with Transfers: $59
- Full-day Desert Beach Camp with Buffet lunch/dinner: $60
- Private Souk Waqif Tour with Lunch/Dinner: $85
- Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $99
- Qatar Desert Safari Tour with Bedouin Camp Lunch or Dinner: $130
- Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $149
- Full Day Desert Safari with Inland Sea Visit and Buffet Dinner: $150
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$4.43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lijiang Tibet Milk Tea & Homecooking Class with a Market Tour: $29
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Doha $18Lijiang $21
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum ticket | Qatar: $23
- 4 Hours-Doha City Private or Shared Tour from AirPort/ Hotel: $54
- 4 Hrs Private Doha Tour: Discover the City’s Premier Attractions!: $115
- 4 hours Desert Safari Experience in Doha up to Group of 5: $260
- 4-Hour Private Group City Tour in Doha, Qatar: $45
- 6 Hours Private Full Day Tour in Doha: $130
- 8-Hour Private Cultural Tour: $200
- All Main Doha City Attractions Tour: $50
- Attractions of Doha City Exploration ( 4-Hours Doha City Tour): $60
- Brouq Reserve and East to West 4WD Private Tour: $140
- City Tour and Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Sand Boarding: $88
- Combo City Tour and Desert Safari Adventure: $120
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Via Ferrata with Zipline Experience in Lijiang: $42
- Biking tour&guide visit Lijiang baisha village market park: $50
- Lijiang/Baisha Ancient Town, Naxi Village, Black Dragon Pool Tour: $68
- 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $90
- Shangri-La Scenic Area Private Tour: $92
- Tiger Leaping Gorge with Lijiang Private Tour: $112
- Lijiang to Shangri-La HuXiang Road Private Scenic Tour: $116
- Lijiang：Yulong Snow Mountain Yakniuping Cableway Day Tour: $117
- Lijiang to Shangri-La Scenic Drive Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge: $120
- Baisha, Naxi Village, Lashi Wetlands Private Tour: $120
- Ethnic-Style Travel Photoshoot Immersive Experience: $131
- 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDoha $15Lijiang $8.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Lijiang, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Lijiang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East and Lijiang is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Doha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Doha 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 Doha Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Doha or Lijiang?
Lijiang has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha 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.