Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Hue?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hue 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 Hue 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: Hue or Lijiang?
Hue
Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.
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 Vietnam, The Best Cultural Tours in Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
-
Hue Prices
Vietnam PricesLijiang Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHue $56Lijiang $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Hue is $56, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $55. 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 Hue and Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHue $22Lijiang $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHue $44Lijiang $32
Compare Hotels in Hue and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Hue 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: Hue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hue $12Lijiang $5.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:
-
Cyclo$0.45
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.83
-
Taxi Ride to Tombs$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:
- Transfer from Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass and Golden Bridge: $94
- Transfer from Hue to Hoi An by Motorbike: $67
- Transfer from Hue to Da Nang or Hoi An via Bach Ma National Park: $81
- Transfer from Hue city to Phu Bai airport: $29
- Transfer from Hue airport to Hue city center or vice versa: $6.81
- Transfer between Hue Hotels and Hue Airport: $7.11
- Transfer Hue to Dn/Hoi An via Hai Van & Springs (or Vice Versa): $55
- Transfer Hue city to Da Nang by limousine: $19
- Roundtrip Transfer to Ba Na Hills - Golden Bridge via Hai Van Pass from Hue City: $85
- Rental of a Scooter from Hue to Hoi An with Bag Transfer: $30
- Privated Hue Airport Transfer-Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $14
- Privated Hue Airport Transfer - Airport to Hotels or vice versa: $6.75
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: $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
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Hue or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Hue 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 dayHue $25Lijiang $30
Typical Food Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:
-
River Night Market Dinner (for Two)$7.58
-
Two Sugarcane Drinks$0.76
-
Quick Lunch (for Two)$2.08
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$4.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hue.
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $21
- Hue Food Tour 5 Delicious Stops for Culinary Exploration: $25
- Walking Street Food tour in Hue: $26
- Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Hue City: Cyclo, Market Tour & Cooking Class at Madam Thu: $27
- Eat Like a Local with a Local Hue Food Tour : $30
- Hue Night Walking And Street Food Tour: $30
- Home Cooking Class and Dinner with Local Chef in Hue City: $31
- HUE : NIGHT WALKING AND STREET FOOD TOUR: $31
- Hue : Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Hue : Night Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
Typical Food Prices in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch for Two$4.21
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hue $11Lijiang $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:
-
Boat Ride$7.39
-
Bicycle Rental (One Day)$1.06
-
Imperial Citadel Entrance$3.03
-
Massage at Institute for the Blind$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hue
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:
- Bach Ma National Park Adventure Trekking Day Trip from Hue: $56
- Day Tour Adventure in Hue and Phong Nha : $200
- Hoi An Guided Bus Tour via 4 Stops from Hue with entry ticket : $18
- Hue City Full-Day Tour with Boat Trip on Perfume River and Lunch: $128
- Phong Nha and Paradise Caves 2 Day Adventure from Hue: $119
- 12 Hours Experience Different Hue: $179
- 13 Days Private Tour Highlights of Cambodia & Vietnam: $4,980
- 2 Day Nature Tour in Tam Giang Lagoon & Bach Ma National Park: $245
- 2-Day Scenic Adventure from Hue to Phong Nha and Paradise Caves: $129
- 2025 Journey to Paradise Cave — An Adventure's Paradise : $57
- 3,5-Hours Hue Imperial Walking Tour with Guide with Local Gifts: $28
- 3-Hour Hue Royal Palace Small Group Guided Walking Tour: $23
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
- 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $72
- 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: $119
- 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
- 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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHue $5.49Lijiang $7.98
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:
-
Beer$0.95
When comparing the travel costs between Hue and Lijiang, we can see that Hue is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hue Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hue or Lijiang?
Lijiang has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Hue. When comparing the sizes of Hue 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.