Which place is cheaper, Shanghai 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 Shanghai?
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 Shanghai 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 Shanghai?
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.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
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 PricesShanghai Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJinghong $88Shanghai $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Jinghong is $88, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $140. 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 Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJinghong $22Shanghai $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJinghong $44Shanghai $174
Compare Hotels in Jinghong and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Jinghong or Shanghai? 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: Shanghai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jinghong $27Shanghai $4.15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.85
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Two Subway Tickets$0.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
- Arrival Private Transfer Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai by Sedan: $61
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai in Business Car: $116
- Arrival Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Hotel: $79
- Departure Private Transfer: Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG in Business Car: $116
- ERA Acrobatics Show Ticket with Private Transfer: $54
- Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Shanghai Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $95
- Hongqiao Airport (SHA): Private Transfer To/From Shanghai Hotels: $48
- Hotel in Shanghai to Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Port Private Transfer: $36
- Mount Mogan Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai by Private Transfer: $130
- Nanxun Ancient Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Shanghai: $123
- PVG Airport Private Transfer to or from Shanghai Disney Resort: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Jinghong or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai 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 $51Shanghai $40
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.48
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$22
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.71
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Cantelope$1.78
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Dumplings and Soup$2.22
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Duck Dinner$4.45
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Pastries$3.11
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Barbeque Dinner$9.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- City Center Authentic Local Food Tour-Tip Based: $3.55
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple and Local Food Tour: $49
- 2-Hour Shanghai Street Food Tour: Dumplings, Tea & Old City Bites: $68
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Market to Table Chinese Cooking Experience: $69
- Authentic Local Food Tour Near the Bund: $71
- Shanghai Food Tour and Alleyways to Skyline with 8 Local Eats: $71
- Shanghai Breakfast Omakase A Home Cook Food Tour: $71
- Small Group Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings: $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jinghong $9.85Shanghai $9.04
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$30
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Zoo for Two$15
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- French Concession Multicultural Walking Tour: $4.00
- Shanghai City Walking Tour: $4.00
- Evening Walking Tour at the Bund: $5.00
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- Customized Private Tour in Shanghai The Bund Yu Garden Zhujiajiao: $5.00
- Shanghai Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $7.00
- Shanghai Yu Garden Admission Ticket: $9.68
- Private Shanghai Full Day Tour Yu Garden, Bund and Oriental Pearl: $10
- Yuyuan Garden Entrance Ticket: $10
- Yu Garden Ticket: $11
- Shanghai Natural History Museum Ticket Booking: $11
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJinghong $5.72Shanghai $7.89
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl (Guided Bar Hopping) with Shots Included: $23
- Shanghai Bar Crawl: TCM Cocktails & Local Craft Beer: $89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jinghong and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai 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 Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai 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 Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jinghong or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Jinghong. When comparing the sizes of Jinghong and Shanghai, 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.