A Travel Price Comparison for China Lhasa vs. Beijing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Lhasa or Beijing?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Lhasa or Beijing? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Lhasa or Beijing?

Lhasa

Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Lhasa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $70, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $76. 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 Lhasa and Beijing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lhasa $39
    Beijing $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lhasa $78
    Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Beijing

Looking for a hotel in Lhasa 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.

Hotels in Lhasa


Hotels in Beijing


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lhasa $2.55
    Beijing $7.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa

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

  • Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $260
  • Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
  • [Airport Transfer] Lhasa Kunga Airport ⇔ Lhasa City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $89

Typical Local Transportation prices in Beijing

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:


  • Taxi
    $4.68
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $6.85
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.22
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.19
  • Metro
    $0.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:

  • [Airport Transfer] Beijing Capital Airport ⇔ Beijing City Transfer (one way) ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $30
  • Ultimate Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall Discovery with Airport Transfer: $186
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Beijing HTL-APT (PEK): $59
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Beijing APT-HTL (PEK): $59
  • Transfers to Jinshanling Great Wall with professional driver: $95
  • Transfer to Daxing International Airport : $49
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Pekin-Beijing City to Airport: $29
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Pekin-Beijing Airport to Pekin-Beijing City: $29
  • Transfer from Daxing International Airport: $49
  • Tianjin International Cruise Port to Beijing Capital Airport by private transfer: $148
  • Tianjin International Cruise Port Transfer from Beijing: $130
  • Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing Daxing Airport by Private Transfer: $148

Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Beijing?

Prices for flights to both Beijing and Lhasa 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
    Lhasa $26
    Beijing $20

Typical Food prices in Beijing

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:


  • Popcorn
    $0.82
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $6.85
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.74
  • Watermelon
    $1.92
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $16
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.82

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 Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
  • 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $35
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $56
  • 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
  • Local Food Tour in the Old Beijing Hutongs: $73
  • Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
  • Beijing Hutong Neighborhood: Food and Dinner Tour: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lhasa $17
    Beijing $24

Tours and Activities in Lhasa

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

  • Half- Day Potala Palace Tour from Lhasa: $278
  • Private Guided Day Tour Potala Palace and Sera Monastery: $360
  • Small-Group 3-Night Lhasa Potala Palace Impression Tour: $411
  • 4 Days Lhasa Impression Small Group Tour: $435
  • Romantic Tour in Lhasa: $466
  • The Best of Lhasa Walking Tour: $466
  • Group 3-Night Holy City Lhasa Tour: $500
  • 4-Day Small Group Lhasa Classic City Tour from Shanghai: $514
  • 4-Day Small Group Lhasa Classic City Tour from Beijing: $514
  • 4-Day Small Group Lhasa Classic City Tour from Sanya: $514
  • 4-Day Small Group Lhasa Classic City Tour from Xi'an: $514
  • 4-Day Small Group Lhasa Classic City Tour from Chengdu: $514

Typical Entertainment prices in Beijing

Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Summer Palace for Two
    $8.22
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $58
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $9.59
  • Forbidden City (for 2)
    $16
  • Forbidden City Tickets
    $16
  • 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:

  • 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall and Beijing Airport Drop off Tour: $235
  • 10-Day Private Tour to Beijing,Lhasa,Xi'an and Shanghai: $3,477
  • 12-Day Private Tour to Beijing,Xi'an,Yangtze River Cruise,Shanghai and Guilin: $3,563
  • 2-Day Small-Group Tour of Beijing Highlights: $279
  • 4 hours Deep Forbidden City Private Tour by Knowledgeable Guide.: $75
  • 4-Hour Beijing Layover Tour to Hutong from Daxing Airport: $145
  • 4-day PRIVATE tour All-inclusive the Great Wall Hiking tour from Beijing: $707
  • 6-Day Private Tour from Beijing to Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang: $1,813
  • 7-Day Private Foodie, Heritage and Culture Tour of Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu: $1,481
  • 7-Day Private Tour to Beijing,Xi'an and Guilin : $2,112
  • All Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $188
  • All Inclusive Private Summer Palace, Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour: $204

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lhasa $6.85
    Beijing $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:

  • Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $99
  • Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
  • 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
  • Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $228

How are these travel costs calculated?

When comparing the travel costs between Lhasa 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.

Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Beijing?

Beijing is bigger, and its population is about 63 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the population of Lhasa vs. 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 and the activities 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Lhasa vs. Beijing Travel Comparison

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