Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Halong Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay 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: Halong Bay or Lijiang?
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Known for its thousands of beautiful limestone karsts and stalactite-filled caves, it is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. If you appreciate natural scenery and want an adventure at sea, you'll love cruising among more than 1,900 islands in Ha Long Bay.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, 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 dayHalong Bay $59Lijiang $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $59, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $42. 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 Halong Bay and Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHalong Bay $29Lijiang $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHalong Bay $58Lijiang $32
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay 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.Halong Bay $14Lijiang $5.69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
- Private Transfer from Tuan Chau to Haiphong (HPH) Airport: $53
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Hanoi Airport (HAN): $43
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Haiphong Airport (HPH): $53
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Haiphong Airport (HPH): $47
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Hanoi hotels: $47
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Hanoi city hotels: $43
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Haiphong Hotels: $53
- Private Transfer from Ha Long to Haiphong (HPH) Airport: $53
- PRIVATE LIMOUSINE TRANSFER +Join Premium Day Cruise in Halong Bay: $55
- JADE SAILS - 1 Day Cruise in Halong & Lan Ha Bay with TRANSFER: $110
- Halong Wonder Bay Cruise 1 Day Tour from Hanoi with Limo Transfer: $68
- Halong Deluxe Day Tour Small Group on Boat Transfer by Limousine: $66
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
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang and Stops at Shaxi: $165
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Dali and Stops at Shaxi: $165
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali : $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Halong Bay or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Halong Bay 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 dayHalong Bay $16Lijiang $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.
- 1-day private Hanoi city tour with fun and night street walking food tour: $101
- Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $175
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$4.22
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: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Halong Bay $17Lijiang $20
Tours and Activities in Halong Bay
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alisa Premier Luxury 5-Star Cruise in Halong Bay 2 Days 1 Night: $175
- Explore Halong Bay on a Luxury Cruise from 3 to 6-star Options: $130
- (Official) Athena Royal Cruise - 02 days 01 night program: $170
- (Official) Signature Halong Cruise - 02 days 01 night program: $160
- (Official) Signature Royal Cruise - 02 days 01 night program: $164
- 1 Day Boat Tour: HaLong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Natural Beach and Full Moon Party: $29
- 1 Day Cruise in Halong Bay - Top Luxury & Small Cruise Tour 2024: $50
- 1 Day Halong Bay Deluxe Cruise with Wego Halong: $40
- 1 Day Halong Bay Exploration with Luxury Cruise and Seaplane: $250
- 1 Day Small Group Luxury Cruise in Halong with Better Care : $60
- 1 night Halong Bay Cruise-Titov Island,Surprise Cave,kayak,meals: $135
- 1 night cruise selection over Halong, Bai Tu Long or Lan Ha Bay: $75
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Half-Day Private Tour Tiger Leaping Gorge in Lijiang : $106
- Biking tour&guide visit Lijiang baisha village market park: $160
- One day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tour in From Lijiang: $160
- 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
- 1-Day Old Town Tour in Lijiang: $166
- 1 Day Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour from Lijiang or Shangri-La: $170
- Lijiang Train Station Pick up and Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour : $170
- Country Biking tour to lashi lake Lamaism temple baisha village from Lijiang: $180
- Private Jade Dragon Snow Mountains and Naxi Village Tour: $187
- 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
- 1-Day Lijiang tour with Lijiang Old Town,Black Dragon Pool,Baisha Village,Shuhe: $207
- Private Day Tour Tiger Leaping Gorge and Black Dragon Pond from Lijiang: $207
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHalong Bay $13Lijiang $8.02
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Lijiang, we can see that Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay 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.