Which place is cheaper, Jinghong or Lhasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lhasa or Jinghong?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Jinghong? 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 Jinghong?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $72Jinghong $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $72, while the average daily cost in Jinghong is $63. 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 Jinghong in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $40Jinghong $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $80Jinghong $42
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Jinghong
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Jinghong? 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 $2.61Jinghong $26
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: $170
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $260
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Jinghong?
Prices for flights to both Jinghong 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 dayLhasa $27Jinghong $28
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Jinghong $9.35
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 6 days Classical Tibet Private Tour to Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse.: $84
- 4 Days Best of Lhasa Tour - Discover the Holy City: $591
- 4 Days Lhasa City Essence Tour: $644
- 5 Days Lhasa and Ganden Monastery Small Group Tour: $695
- 4 Days Lhasa City Tibet Tour included Permit issued: $760
- 4 Days Lhasa Small Group Tour - Wandering in Sunlight City: $797
- Private Full-Day Tour w/ Lunch: $800
- 5 Days Lhasa to Drak Yerpa Tour: $808
- 6 Days Lhasa and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour: $904
- 5 Days Classic Lhasa Tour with Yamdrok Lake in Tibet: $999
- 8 Days Central Tibet and Namtso Small Group Tour: $1,113
- Tibet Overland Tour - 08 Days: $1,431
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.04Jinghong $5.43
When comparing the travel costs between Lhasa and Jinghong, we can see that Lhasa 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lhasa Expensive? and Is Jinghong Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Jinghong?
Lhasa has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Jinghong. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Jinghong, 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.