Should I Visit Lhasa or Hongcun for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Lhasa or Hongcun?

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

Should I visit Lhasa or Hongcun? 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 Hongcun?

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.

Hongcun

When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.

The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.

Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Lhasa?

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

Lhasa Prices
China Prices

Hongcun Prices
China Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Lhasa $89

Hongcun $66

The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $89, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $66. 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 Hongcun in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Lhasa $39

Hongcun $23
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Lhasa $78

Hongcun $46

Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Hongcun

Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Hongcun? 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

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Lhasa $2.54

Hongcun $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Hongcun?

Prices for flights to both Hongcun 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 $45

Hongcun $32

Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:

Lunch for Two

$4.80
Breakfast of Dumplings

$2.06

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Lhasa $17

Hongcun $17

Tours and Activities in Lhasa

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

5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
Nepal Tibet Tour 8 Days: $2,641
17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $3,172

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:

Two Entrance Tickets

$29

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Lhasa $6.85

Hongcun $14

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Hongcun, we can see that Lhasa is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Hongcun.

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

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

Should you visit Lhasa or Hongcun?

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

Where Should I go: Lhasa or Hongcun?

Lhasa

Hongcun

Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Lhasa?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Hongcun

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa

Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Hongcun?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Lhasa

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Alcohol

Related Articles for Lhasa

Related Articles for Hongcun

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

Should you visit Lhasa or Hongcun?

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

Where Should I go: Lhasa or Hongcun?

Lhasa

Hongcun

Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Lhasa?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Hongcun

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa

Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Hongcun?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Lhasa

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Alcohol

Related Articles for Lhasa

Related Articles for Hongcun

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