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

Should you visit Lhasa or Zhengzhou?

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

Should I visit Lhasa or Zhengzhou? 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 Zhengzhou?

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.

Zhengzhou

Along the Yellow River, a city from the future and the past resides. Ancient pagodas, futuristic domes, verdant gardens - Zhengzhou is a myriad of many worlds in one urban area. The provincial capital of the Henan Province, Zhengzhou is the encapsulation of a perfect city from its delicate balance of the natural and urban spheres. It was born during the Sui Dynasty, and its actual location was in the modern-day Chenggao. Moreover, Zhengzhou works as the political, economic, technological, and educational center of the province. The city is also one of the eight great ancient capitals of China, with a collection of architecture and art originating during iconic dynasties. These relics of the old world include the Shaolin Monastery, Henan Museum, the Pagoda Forest, the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory, the Songyue Pagoda, the Emperors of Yan and Huang, and the scenic views of the Yellow River. With over nine million inhabitants, Zhengzhou continues to grow at a thriving rate. It also should be noted that in June 2012, Greater Zhengzhou was named one of the thirteen emerging megacities in China according to the Economist Intelligent Unit. Known internationally for its amazing culmination of culture and history, Zhengzhou is the ideal city for travelers and inhabitants alike.

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, Zhengzhou or Lhasa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $71, while the average daily cost in Zhengzhou is $98. 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 Zhengzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lhasa $39
    Zhengzhou $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lhasa $78
    Zhengzhou $72
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Zhengzhou

Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Zhengzhou? 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.

Hotels in Lhasa


Hotels in Zhengzhou


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 $2.58
    Zhengzhou $63

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 Zhengzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhengzhou:

  • Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $27
  • Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $31
  • Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer , Zhengzhou Airport Transfer : $53
  • Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer , Zhengzhou Airport Transfer : $65
  • Zhengzhou Special Car Service, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $27
  • Zhengzhou Airport Transfer( Hotel to Airport): $59
  • Private transfer to Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou: $108
  • Private Transfer to Shaolin Temple or Dengfeng from Zhengzhou Train station: $132
  • Private Transfer to Guoliang Village and Tunnel from Zhengzhou: $160
  • Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Luoyang Longmen Grottoes : $95
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Luoyang: $80
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Zhengzhou?

Prices for flights to both Zhengzhou 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 $26
    Zhengzhou $28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhengzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zhengzhou.

  • Zhengzhou Erqi Square and Night Markets Private Tour including Dinner: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lhasa $17
    Zhengzhou $8.24

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: $745
  • 4 Days Lhasa City Tibet Tour included Permit issued: $760
  • Private Full-Day Tour w/ Lunch: $800
  • 5 Days Classic Lhasa Tour with Yamdrok Lake in Tibet: $999
  • Nepal Tibet Tour 8 Days: $2,734

Tours and Activities in Zhengzhou

Here are a few actual costs in Zhengzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Guoliangcun from Zhengzhou: $265
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $275
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Yuntai Mountain from Zhengzhou: $265
  • All inclusive Anyang Yin Xu ruins and Character Museum day tour from Zhengzhou: $209
  • Full-Day Private Kaifeng Highlight Tour from Zhengzhou: $248
  • Independent Tour to Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $188
  • Kaifeng City Highlights Independant Tour from Zhengzhou: $80
  • Private Day Tour to Guoliang from Zhengzhou: $268
  • Private Day Tour to Luoyang Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $210
  • Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple and Songyang Academy from Zhengzhou: $233
  • Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou with Flexiable Departure Time: $198
  • Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple with Kungfu Class from Zhengzhou: $287

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lhasa $6.95
    Zhengzhou $6.35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Zhengzhou, we can see that Zhengzhou 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 Zhengzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zhengzhou 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 Zhengzhou Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Zhengzhou?

Zhengzhou has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Zhengzhou, 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.

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