Which place is cheaper, Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Lijiang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Lijiang or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?
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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Lijiang or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?
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.
Chichibu-Tama-Kai
Located at the intersection of the Saitama, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Tokyo Prefectures, Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is a national park in Japan webbed with hiking trails and many ancient shrines. Mount Mitake, Mount Mitsumine, and Mount Mito are just three of the eight peaks that tower above the park at over 2000 meters, while rivers sources flowing below include the Arakawa River, Shinano River, Tama River, and Fuefuki River (Fuji River).
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 in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.
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Lijiang Prices
China PricesChichibu-Tama-Kai Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLijiang $55Chichibu-Tama-Kai $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Lijiang is $55, while the average daily cost in Chichibu-Tama-Kai is $90. 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLijiang $16Chichibu-Tama-Kai $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLijiang $32Chichibu-Tama-Kai $70
Compare Hotels in Lijiang and Chichibu-Tama-Kai
Looking for a hotel in Lijiang or Chichibu-Tama-Kai? 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.Lijiang $5.67Chichibu-Tama-Kai $21
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 Dali and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
- Private Transfer from Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG) to Dali : $149
- Ethnic Costume Photoshoot with Hotel Transfers: $131
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Lijiang or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?
Prices for flights to both Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 $30Chichibu-Tama-Kai $43
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$4.21
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 $20Chichibu-Tama-Kai $7.39
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Baisha Village Private Tour: $245
- 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 Private Tour to Lijiang Highlights: $297
- 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
- 3days Dali Lijiang highlights tour start from Kunming: $700
- 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $72
- 7-Day Yunnan Culture & Nature Tour: $1,008
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang: $221
- Beautiful Country road Biking tour to Xinhua village Heqing start from Lijiang: $173
- Biking tour&guide visit Lijiang baisha village market park: $50
- Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $208
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLijiang $7.98Chichibu-Tama-Kai $8.60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lijiang and Chichibu-Tama-Kai, we can see that Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai Expensive?.
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.