A Travel Price Comparison for China Longsheng vs. Lijiang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Longsheng or Lijiang?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Longsheng and Lijiang. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Longsheng or Lijiang?

Longsheng

A county of the city, Guilin, Longsheng is a hub of several ethnic cultures that thrive on farming and tourism. It is located about 50 or so miles north of the Guilin city center. The region is perhaps most known for the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces located in Heping Township. These, along with many other natural features like hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows are a few of the main attractions that draw visitors to Longsheng.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Longsheng?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Longsheng is $79, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $42. 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 Longsheng and Lijiang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Longsheng $20
    Lijiang $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Longsheng $40
    Lijiang $32
Compare Hotels in Longsheng and Lijiang

Looking for a hotel in Longsheng or Lijiang? 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 Longsheng


Hotels in Lijiang


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.
    Longsheng $42
    Lijiang $5.62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang

Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
  • Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel: $149
  • Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Longsheng or Lijiang?

Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Longsheng 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
    Longsheng $35
    Lijiang $17

Typical Food Prices in Lijiang

For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.17

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Longsheng $8.44
    Lijiang $20

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 Lijiang Highlights Mini Group Tour: $203
  • 1-Day Lijiang tour with Lijiang Old Town,Black Dragon Pool,Baisha Village,Shuhe: $207
  • 1-Day Private Tour to Lijiang Highlights: $297
  • 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
  • 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $72
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang: $221
  • Country Biking tour to lashi lake Lamaism temple baisha village from Lijiang: $176
  • Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $208
  • Half-Day Private Tour Tiger Leaping Gorge in Lijiang : $106
  • Lijiang Private Essentials Tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain including Cable Car: $258
  • Lijiang Sanyi airport (LJG) Pick up and Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour : $186

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Longsheng $7.94
    Lijiang $7.91


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