Which place is cheaper, Deqin or Lhasa?
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 Lhasa or Deqin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Deqin? 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 Deqin?
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.
Deqin
Highly influenced by Tibet, Deqin is both a county and a town located in the Hengduanshan Mountains of China's Yunnan province. Most people visit the area as a home base from which to hike into the surrounding mountains, though the temples and traditional villages also add to the allure of the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
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Lhasa Prices
China PricesDeqin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $90Deqin $75
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $90, while the average daily cost in Deqin is $75. 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 Deqin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $39Deqin $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $78Deqin $70
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Deqin
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Deqin? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.57Deqin $18
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Deqin?
Prices for flights to both Deqin 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
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Food Meals for one dayLhasa $45Deqin $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Deqin $13
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tibet 5-day Lhasa & Namtso Lake Tour: $65
- 4 Days Lhasa City Essence Tour: $644
- 5 Days Lhasa and Ganden Monastery Small Group Tour: $690
- Private Full-Day Tour w/ Lunch: $800
- 5 Days Lhasa to Drak Yerpa Tour: $803
- 4 Days Lhasa City Tibet Tour included Permit issued: $850
- 5 Days Classic Lhasa Tour with Yamdrok Lake in Tibet: $999
- 4 Days Lhasa Small Group Tour - Wandering in Sunlight City: $1,037
- 5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
- Tibet Overland Tour - 08 Days: $1,421
- 6 Days Lhasa and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour: $1,536
- 8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour: $1,920
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $6.91Deqin $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Deqin, we can see that Lhasa is more expensive. And not only is Deqin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Deqin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Deqin 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 Lhasa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lhasa than you might in Deqin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lhasa Expensive? and Is Deqin Expensive?.
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.