Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Lhasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lhasa or Shenzhen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Shenzhen? 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 Shenzhen?
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.
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $70Shenzhen $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $70, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $123. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $39Shenzhen $89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $78Shenzhen $178
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Shenzhen
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Shenzhen? 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 $2.55Shenzhen $14
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
- Transfers anywhere in Hong Kong: $140
- Transfer Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport by Luxury Van or Sedan: $112
- Shenzhen to Shenzhen Airport (SZX) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen central to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX): $80
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) to central Shenzhen: $80
- Shenzhen Int Airport (SZX) to Shenzhen - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX): Private Transfer to/from Shenzhen: $48
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Round Trip Private Transfer: $95
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Guangzhou - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
- Private Transfer: Hong Kong Airport HKG to Hong Kong City in Luxury Van: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Shenzhen?
Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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 $26Shenzhen $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegetarian Food Tour: $77
- Hong Kong Guided Dinner + Laser Show Lounge Entry (2023) | 200+ booked : $100
- Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $108
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $108
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $108
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $163
- Hong Kong Crazy Rich Asian Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private : $166
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $166
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $166
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Shenzhen $17
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4 Days Lhasa City Essence Tour: $644
- 4 Days Lhasa City Tibet Tour included Permit issued: $760
- 5 Days Classic Lhasa Tour with Yamdrok Lake in Tibet: $999
- 6 days Classical Tibet Private Tour to Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse.: $84
- Private Full-Day Tour w/ Lunch: $800
- Nepal Tibet Tour 8 Days: $2,174
- Tibet Overland Tour - 08 Days: $1,438
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- SEAT-IN-COACH Macau Tour with simple buffet lunch from Hong Kong: $188
- Shenzhen Self-Guided Flexible Tour with Private Car and Driver : $86
- 2.5-Hour Shenzhen City-Village Walking Tour: Back In The 90's & TikTok Influence: $51
- 4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: $280
- 4-Hour Small Group Kowloon Sightseeing Tour: $103
- 60 Minutes Virtual Reality Experience in Hong Kong: $37
- A Perfect Hong Kong Layover - 5h private tour: $275
- Afternoon Hiking Tour Sharp Island Geopark: $38
- Aqua Luna: Evening Cruise at Victoria Harbour Hong Kong: $40
- Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $49
- Authentic Hong Kong Private Tour: $275
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $6.88Shenzhen $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Lhasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lhasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lhasa 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Lhasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lhasa Expensive? and Is Shenzhen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Shenzhen?
Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Shenzhen, 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.