Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Jinghong?
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 Jinghong or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jinghong and Beijing 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: Jinghong or Beijing?
Jinghong
Located in the southernmost part of the Yunnan Province, Jinghong is a city that attracts visitors each year with its rich culture and folklore, Buddhist temples, and tropical rainforest scenery of palms and mango trees amongst others. It is also an area popular with backpackers as well as a waypoint for travelers passing between China and Laos.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.
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Jinghong Prices
China PricesBeijing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJinghong $82Beijing $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Jinghong is $82, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $89. 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 Jinghong and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJinghong $20Beijing $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJinghong $40Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Jinghong and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Jinghong or Beijing? 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.Jinghong $25Beijing $7.68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.69
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Train from Airport for Two$6.88
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Taxi to Hotel$8.25
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2 Metro Passes$2.20
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Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Jinshanling Great Wall Self-hiking Tour by Private Transfer Service : $98
- Private English Transfer to Shilin Gorge Platform And Ming City Wall : $140
- Private One-Way Transfer Between Beijing Railway Station and Hotel: $30
- 1 Day Pass for Universal Beijing and Private Transfer Package: $265
- 1-Day Beijing Layover Private Tour: Forbidden City with Round Airport transfers: $198
- 1-Day Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with Round Airport Transfers: $208
- 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
- 1-Way Private Transfer between Beijing Airport and City Hotels: $35
- 5 Hours Round Trip Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall: $70
- Acrobatics Show with Private Driver Service and Hotel Round Transfer: $105
- Airport Layover Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall & City Sightseeing : $112
- Arrival Private Transfer: Capital Airport PEK to Beijing in Business Car: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Jinghong or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Jinghong 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 dayJinghong $47Beijing $33
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.83
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Hot Pot Dinner$6.88
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.75
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Watermelon$1.93
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
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Two Popsicles$0.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
- Dumpling Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $65
- Shichahai Hutong Dinner and Beer Walking Tour: $68
- Authentic Lunch or Dinner Tour in Beijing's Best Hidden Spots: $72
- Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $75
- Hidden Gems Guided Food Tour with Beer and Tastings: $75
- Private | Shichahai Hutong Dinner and Beer Walking Tour: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jinghong $9.14Beijing $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.25
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Two Opera Tickets$58
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.63
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- TIAN AN MEN SQUARE AND FORBIDDEN CITY (guided tour): $0.14
- Ticket to Forbiden City Summer Palace Temple of Heaven Mutianyu: $0.80
- Tian’anmenSquare or Forbidden City Online Ticket Booking: $2.85
- Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket): $3.19
- Tiananmen Square - Registration Ticket: $3.50
- Tiananmen Square Ticket Fast and Smooth: $4.85
- Agent ticket booking service: Temple of heaven: $5.00
- Mutianyu Great Wall:All Inclusive Private Layover or Day Tour: $5.00
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Beijing: $5.69
- ForbiddenCity & Tiananmen Square ticket with guide(optional): $6.99
- Temple of Earth ticket; Serene, Majestic, Ancient: $6.99
- Summer Palace & Temple of Heaven Day Tours with Option: $7.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJinghong $5.30Beijing $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $99
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $99
- Private Tour-Drum Tower, Hutong Food Taste and Local Brewery Beer: $150
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $158
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When comparing the travel costs between Jinghong and Beijing, we can see that Beijing 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 Jinghong Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jinghong or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Jinghong. When comparing the sizes of Jinghong and Beijing, 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.