Which place is cheaper, Atami or Lijiang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lijiang or Atami?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Lijiang and Atami can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Lijiang or Atami?
Lijiang
Lijiang is a city in Southwestern China with a history of rule under the Mu family during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It played a key role along the Ancient Southern Silk Road, which started from Burma, crossed Lijiang, Shangri-La County, Tibet, journeyed through Iran, the Fertile Crescent, and ultimately to the Mediterranean Sea. The area was once a center for trade, politics, culture, and education, which is still evident in the rich culture seen today. Lijiang has also been the home of centuries to the Naxi people who still inhabit the area.
Atami
Sharing a home with the famous Mount Fuji inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Atami is a Japanese city set on the seaside of the Izu Peninsula. With volcanic hills and natural hot springs, visitors are very much drawn to the unique landscape of the place. There are many hot springs resorts that take advantage of the area's natural features, which have been attracting visitors since the 8th century.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLijiang $41Atami $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Lijiang is $41, while the average daily cost in Atami is $86. 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 Lijiang and Atami in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLijiang $15Atami $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLijiang $30Atami $86
Compare Hotels in Lijiang and Atami
Looking for a hotel in Lijiang or Atami? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Atami Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lijiang $5.58Atami $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel: $149
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali : $149
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atami
Also for Atami, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Narita Airport to/from Izu or Atami City Private Transfer: $650
- Haneda Airport to/from Izu or Atami City Private Transfer: $557
Is it cheaper to fly into Lijiang or Atami?
Prices for flights to both Atami and Lijiang 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 dayLijiang $17Atami $24
Typical Food Prices in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lijiang $20Atami $7.68
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
- 1 Day Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour from Lijiang or Shangri-La: $170
- 1 day Lijiang Highlights Mini Group Tour: $203
- 1-Day Lijiang tour with Lijiang Old Town,Black Dragon Pool,Baisha Village,Shuhe: $207
- 1-Day Old Town Tour in Lijiang: $166
- 1-Day Private Tour to Lijiang Highlights: $297
- 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Lijiang to Dali and overnight in Shaxi old town: $212
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang: $221
- Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $208
- Marvelous Gorge Sightseeing and Photo-Taking From Lijiang: $264
- One Day Lijiang Tour Including Tickets: $445
Tours and Activities in Atami
For Atami, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ACAO BEACH: Tent Sauna experience at private resort: $114
- "Explore Atami's Culinary Culture" Walking Tour: $44
- Exclusive Geisha Experience: $114
- Hakone one day tour: $157
- Ninja, Samurai, Odawara Castle Experience: $131
- Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLijiang $7.86Atami $5.45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lijiang and Atami, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Lijiang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lijiang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lijiang 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 Atami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atami than you might in Lijiang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lijiang Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lijiang or Atami?
Lijiang has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Lijiang and Atami, 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.