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

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.

Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen 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

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

Lhasa $89

Shenzhen $136

The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $89, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $136. 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

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Lhasa $39

Shenzhen $88
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Lhasa $78

Shenzhen $176

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

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Lhasa $2.53

Shenzhen $14

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

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
Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Hong Kong HTL-APT (HKG): $78
Transfer Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport by Luxury Van or Sedan: $112
Transfer Hong Kong Airport to Hong Kong by Luxury Van or Sedan: $112
Transfer HKG Airport Hong Kong/Kowloon/Sha Tin/Tuen Mun/Tsuen Wan: $31
Shenzhen to Shenzhen Airport (SZX) - Departure Private Transfer: $107
Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen central to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX): $76
Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) to central Shenzhen: $75
Shenzhen Int Airport (SZX) to Shenzhen - Arrival Private Transfer: $107
Shenzhen Baoan airport Private Transfer to Shenzhen Hotels.: $55
Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49
Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Round Trip Private Transfer: $214

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

Food Meals for one day

Lhasa $45

Shenzhen $34

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: $79
Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $131
The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $154
Hong Kong Crazy Rich Asian Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private : $156
Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $156
Kowloon Night Street Food Tour with a Local: Private & Customized: $174

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Lhasa $17

Shenzhen $17

Tours and Activities in Lhasa

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

17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $3,153
5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
Nepal Tibet Tour 8 Days: $2,625

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

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

Shenzhen Self-Guided Flexible Tour with Private Car and Driver : $87
100% Private & Personalised Tour of Hong Kong With A Local Insider: $62
4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: $280
5-Hour Private Customized Walking Tour in Hong Kong: $267
A Perfect Hong Kong Layover - 5h private tour: $275
A Taste of Hong Kong: Private Tour With Locals : $120
Aqua Luna: Evening Cruise at Victoria Harbour Hong Kong: $40
Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $49
Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $50
Big Bus Hong Kong Open-Top Night Tour: $40
Central Walking Tour: $105
City tour guide with food recommandation in Shenzhen: $100

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Lhasa $6.82

Shenzhen $19

How are these travel costs calculated?

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.

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

Should you visit Lhasa or Shenzhen?

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

Where Should I go: Lhasa or Shenzhen?

Lhasa

Shenzhen

Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Lhasa?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Shenzhen

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Shenzhen?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Lhasa

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Shenzhen?

Related Articles for Lhasa

Related Articles for Shenzhen

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

Should you visit Lhasa or Shenzhen?

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

Where Should I go: Lhasa or Shenzhen?

Lhasa

Shenzhen

Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Lhasa?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Shenzhen

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Shenzhen?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Lhasa

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Shenzhen?

Related Articles for Lhasa

Related Articles for Shenzhen

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