A Travel Price Comparison for China Jinghong vs. Xi'an for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jinghong or Xi'an?

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 Xi'an 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 Xi'an?

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.

Xi'an

Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Jinghong?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Jinghong is $87, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $110. 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 Xi'an in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jinghong $21
    Xi'an $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jinghong $42
    Xi'an $128
Compare Hotels in Jinghong and Xi'an

Looking for a hotel in Jinghong or Xi'an? 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 Xian


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: Xi'an Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jinghong $27
    Xi'an $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • 1-Day Xi'an Layover Tour: Terracotta Army with Round Airport transfers(XIY): $100
  • 1-way Private Transfer: Xi'an City Hotel to Airport/Train Station: $55
  • 2-Day Customized Private Tour With Transfer in Historical Xi'an: $269
  • Essential Xian Tour with Airport Train Station or Hotel Transfer: $229
  • Full-Day Layover Private Tour: Essence of Xi'an With Airport Transfer: $229
  • One-Way Airport Transfer From Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $75
  • Private 1-way Transfer: Xi'an North Station/Airport to City Hotel: $58
  • Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
  • Private Airport Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $29
  • Private Arrival Transfer Xi'an Railway Stations to Hotel: $32
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Xi'an Railway Station to Xi'an City Hotel: $30
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport(XIY) to City Hotel: $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Jinghong or Xi'an?

Prices for flights to both Xi'an 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 $50
    Xi'an $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.

  • Xi’an:City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
  • Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
  • Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
  • Tang Dynasty Royal Show Optinal Dinner With Round-trip Transfers: $38
  • Xian Tang Dynasty Show -Optional Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $38
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Music Dance Show or Dinner Show with Transfer: $39
  • Skip The Line Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Or Dinner With Transfer: $39
  • Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
  • Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with Private transfer: $55
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket with Optional Dinner: $57
  • Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jinghong $9.77
    Xi'an $38

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 Xi'an

Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Xi'an: Daci'en Temple(Great Wild Goose Pagoda) E-ticket: $9.99
  • Xi'an: City Wall & Old Town Walking Tour w/ 10+ Food Tasting: $14
  • Xi’an City Wall – E-Ticket: $15
  • Xi'an: Xi’an City Wall South Gate(Yongningmen) Entry Ticket: $15
  • Terracotta Army+Gaint Goose Pagoda+City Wall Bus Tour with Option: $17
  • Xi'an: City Wall Moat Smart Boat Tour: $17
  • Huaqing Palace Tickets with Optional show of Xi'an incident: $19
  • Xian: Terracotta Army Ticket & Guided Bus Tour with Options: $20
  • Shaanxi History Museum Admission Tickets: $20
  • Huaqing Palace Adult Ticket[Direct Subway Access]: $20
  • Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda&City Wall Full Day Tour: $20
  • Morning Tour to Terracotta Warriors Museum with Lunch: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jinghong $5.67
    Xi'an $7.70

Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:

  • Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29


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


Which is Bigger, Jinghong or Xi'an?

Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Jinghong. When comparing the sizes of Jinghong and Xi'an, 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.