Which place is cheaper, Taiyuan or Lhasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for China Lhasa vs. Taiyuan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
Jump to 
Should you visit Lhasa or Taiyuan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Taiyuan? 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 Taiyuan?
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.
Taiyuan
With sleek architectural designs and blossoming businesses, this metropolis is simply brimming with invigorating excitement and once-in-a-lifetime entertainment. Despite its glimmering skyscrapers and gorgeous fountains, Taiyuan, China has an extensive history of nearly 2,500 years. During ancient China, Taiyuan, or the "Dragon City," was a major military town. Presently, this city is now one of China's most important industrial cities, producing more than half of the national coal mining output. Taiyuan is both the capital and largest city of the Shanxi province of North China. It is bounded by mountains on three of its sides, allowing this great city to be surrounded by fantastic views of its landscape. Besides its economic significance, Taiyuan also achieves tourist significance due to its plethora of landmarks and sights. Some of these attractions include Jinci Temple, Forest Park, Mengshan Giant Buddha, and Shanxi Museum. Taiyuan is also celebrated internationally for holding their annual Shanxi Taiyuan International Folk Arts Festival, a celebration held in September that hosts exhibition of fine arts, painting, paper-cutting, sculpture, drama, acrobatic and the culture of costume. With such a great deal to do in such a limited window of time, it is best to make the most Taiyuan while you visit!
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $72Taiyuan $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $72, while the average daily cost in Taiyuan is $91. 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 Taiyuan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $40Taiyuan $43
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $80Taiyuan $86
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Taiyuan
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Taiyuan? 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 $2.60Taiyuan $48
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 Taiyuan?
Prices for flights to both Taiyuan 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 $27Taiyuan $21
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Taiyuan $15
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 10 Days Tibet Everest Base Camp and Namtso Small Group Tour: $1,195
- 10-Day Guided Adventure in Tibet with Pickup: $2,286
- 10-Day Small Group Lhasa, Everest Base Camp and Yamdrotso & Namtso Lake Tour : $1,242
- 13 Day Lhasa, Mt. Everest, Mt. Kailash to Kathmandu Adventure: $2,099
- 15 Days Lhasa to Kailash, Manasarova (trekking)Small Group Tour: $1,955
- 15 Days Mt Everest and Mt Kailash Kora Pilgrimage Group Tour: $2,124
- 3-Day Private Tour: Lhasa, Gyangtse, and Shigatse: $936
- 4 Days Lhasa City Essential Group Tour: $547
- 4 Days Lhasa City Tibet Tour included Permit issued: $760
- 4 Days Lhasa City Tour in Tibet: $626
- 4 Days Lhasa Impression Small Group Tour: $435
- 4-Day Explore Lhasa Private Tour: $1,336
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.01Taiyuan $6.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Taiyuan, we can see that Taiyuan 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 Taiyuan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taiyuan than you might in Lhasa.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Taiyuan?
Taiyuan is bigger, and its population is about 22.9 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the population of Lhasa vs. Taiyuan, 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 and the activities that interest you.
Related Articles for Lhasa
Related Articles for Taiyuan
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.
More City Comparisons
Xigatse vs. LhasaXigatse vs. Taiyuan
Lhasa vs. Deqin
Lhasa vs. Zhengzhou
Lhasa vs. Zhangye
Lhasa vs. Jinghong
Lhasa vs. Yichang
Lhasa vs. Yangshuo
Lhasa vs. Xi'an
Lhasa vs. Xiamen
Lhasa vs. Wuyuan
Lhasa vs. Wuhu
Lhasa vs. Tianjin
Lhasa vs. Shijiazhuang
Lhasa vs. Shenzhen
Lhasa vs. Shanghai
Lhasa vs. Qingdao
Lhasa vs. Pingyao
Lhasa vs. Nanjing
Lhasa vs. Nanchang
Lhasa vs. Longsheng
Lhasa vs. Kunming
Lhasa vs. Jingdezhen
Lhasa vs. Hongcun
Lhasa vs. Tiger Leaping Gorge
Lhasa vs. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Lhasa vs. Hengyang
Lhasa vs. Hefei
Pin This Page
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.