A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jinghong vs. Sendai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jinghong or Sendai?

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 Sendai 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 Sendai?

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.

Sendai

Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.

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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Sendai or Jinghong?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Jinghong Prices
    China Prices
    Sendai Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Jinghong $83
    Sendai $133

The average daily cost (per person) in Jinghong is $83, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $133. 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 Sendai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jinghong $20
    Sendai $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jinghong $40
    Sendai $122
Compare Hotels in Jinghong and Sendai

Looking for a hotel in Jinghong or Sendai? 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 Jinghong


Hotels in Sendai


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: Sendai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jinghong $25
    Sendai $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai

Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Odawara to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) -Departure Private Transfer: $103
  • Private Transfer from Sendai Airport to Sendai City: $187
  • Sendai City: Private transfer to/from Sendai Airport: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into Jinghong or Sendai?

Prices for flights to both Sendai 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Jinghong $48
    Sendai $58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai

For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Local Food Tour in Shiogama, Japan Top Tuna and Sushi Town: $135
  • Michinoku Coastal Trail Sake Tasting with Dinner: $143

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jinghong $9.31
    Sendai $19

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 Sendai

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

  • Catch and Dine A Gourmet Fishing Experience in Miyagi: $24
  • Sendai and Matsushima Private Tour with Licensed Guide: $101
  • Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $120
  • Afternoon Cycling Tour in Naruko: $151

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jinghong $5.41
    Sendai $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jinghong and Sendai, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. And not only is Jinghong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jinghong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jinghong 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai than you might in Jinghong.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jinghong Expensive? and Is Sendai Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Jinghong or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Jinghong. When comparing the sizes of Jinghong and Sendai, 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.

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