A Travel Price Comparison for China Jingdezhen vs. Lijiang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jingdezhen 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 Jingdezhen 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: Jingdezhen or Lijiang?

Jingdezhen

Jingdezhen, China is a city located in the Jianxi Province in the southwestern part of the country. It is famous for being the "Porcelain Capital" due to a history of producing pottery for over 1,700 years. This city itself ignites memories of a time when Chinese craftsmanship was at it's peak thanks to their weekly craft shows and art village.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Jingdezhen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jingdezhen is $58, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $41. 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 Jingdezhen and Lijiang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jingdezhen $30
    Lijiang $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jingdezhen $60
    Lijiang $32
Compare Hotels in Jingdezhen and Lijiang

Looking for a hotel in Jingdezhen 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.

Hotels in Jingdezhen


Hotels in Lijiang


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.
    Jingdezhen $12
    Lijiang $5.59

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 Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali : $149
  • Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel: $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 Jingdezhen or Lijiang?

Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Jingdezhen 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 day
    Jingdezhen $20
    Lijiang $17

Typical Food Prices in Lijiang

For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.15

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.
    Jingdezhen $8.00
    Lijiang $20

Tours and Activities in Lijiang

For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $72
  • Half-Day Private Tour Tiger Leaping Gorge in Lijiang : $106
  • Private Tour: Jade Dragon Village and Baisha Village via Bicycle: $158
  • One day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tour in From Lijiang: $160
  • 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
  • Lijiang Train Station Pick up and Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour : $170
  • 1 Day Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour from Lijiang or Shangri-La: $170
  • Lijiang Sanyi airport (LJG) Pick up and Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour : $186
  • Private Jade Dragon Snow Mountains and Naxi Village Tour: $187
  • 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
  • Private Day Tour Tiger Leaping Gorge and Black Dragon Pond from Lijiang: $207
  • Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $208

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jingdezhen $38
    Lijiang $7.87


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jingdezhen and Lijiang, we can see that Jingdezhen 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 Jingdezhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jingdezhen 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 Jingdezhen Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Jingdezhen or Lijiang?

Lijiang has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Jingdezhen. When comparing the sizes of Jingdezhen 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.