Which place is cheaper, Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo?
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 Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo?
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.
Lake Tekapo
Tekapo is a lakeside town on the South Island of New Zealand, and it is part of the Mackenzie District of Canterbury. This is one of the bluest lakes in the country and is surrounded by the mighty mountains of the Southern Alps.
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 Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.
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Jinghong Prices
China PricesLake Tekapo Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJinghong $83Lake Tekapo $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Jinghong is $83, while the average daily cost in Lake Tekapo is $84. 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 Lake Tekapo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJinghong $20Lake Tekapo $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJinghong $40Lake Tekapo $118
Compare Hotels in Jinghong and Lake Tekapo
Looking for a hotel in Jinghong or Lake Tekapo? 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: Lake Tekapo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jinghong $25Lake Tekapo -
Is it cheaper to fly into Jinghong or Lake Tekapo?
Prices for flights to both Lake Tekapo 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 $48Lake Tekapo $22
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jinghong $9.31Lake Tekapo -
Tours and Activities in Jinghong
Here are a few actual costs in Jinghong for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Best of Dai Villages | 20km E-Bike Tour: $41
Tours and Activities in Lake Tekapo
Here are a few actual costs in Lake Tekapo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Indoor Māori Cultural Astronomy Experience: $34
- Dark Sky Indoor Maori Cultural Astronomy Experience: $36
- Virtual Stargazing and Astronomy Experience: $52
- Virtual Stargazing & Astronomy Experience in Lake Tekapo: $54
- Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide: $57
- Silver River Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo: $59
- Mt. Hay Farm Experience Genuine Country Farming(Carbon Positive): $59
- Stargazing Experience: $70
- Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $71
- Stargazing Experience at Cowan's Observatory: $75
- Stargazing Experience at Cowan's Private Observatory: $79
- Lake Tekapo High Country Farm Tour (Carbon Positive): $86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJinghong $5.41Lake Tekapo -
When comparing the travel costs between Jinghong and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Lake Tekapo 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. Even though Jinghong is in Asia and Lake Tekapo is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jinghong Expensive? and Is Lake Tekapo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jinghong or Lake Tekapo?
Jinghong has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Jinghong and Lake Tekapo, 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.