Which place is cheaper, Wuyuan or Luang Prabang?
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 Luang Prabang or Wuyuan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Wuyuan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Luang Prabang or Wuyuan?
Luang Prabang
Southeast Asia is a region full of mystical wonders and cultural charm, but nowhere is as charming as the city of Luang Prabang. As the former capital of Laos, Luang Prabang was reopened to tourism in 1989. With that move the city experienced an upswing in revenue and was able to restore and rebuild the beautiful colonial mansions to serve as guesthouses and hotels for the new swarm of tourists.
Wuyuan
Wuyuan, China is a small city in the Jiangxi Province in the south central area of the country. The city acts as a transport hub for the province, with many main bus routes running through it. Wuyuan also acts as the main thoroughfare when traveling to local remote villages in the area. It is best to know some Mandarin as this region does not see many non-Mandarin speaking tourists, which also means you should expect some very friendly attention!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesWuyuan Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Wuyuan $73
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Wuyuan is $73. 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 Luang Prabang and Wuyuan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Wuyuan $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Wuyuan $52
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Wuyuan
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Wuyuan? 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: Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Wuyuan $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$2.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Wuyuan?
Prices for flights to both Wuyuan and Luang Prabang 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 dayLuang Prabang $9.25Wuyuan $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luang Prabang
For Luang Prabang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Luang Prabang Local Market and Morning Food Tour with Drinks: $39
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
- Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Laos: Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
- Mekong Sunset Cruise & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
Typical Food Prices in Wuyuan
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wuyuan:
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Gummy Candy$0.28
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Cookies$0.70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.66Wuyuan $19
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with Sunset Cruise: $196
- Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong Village Half-Day Tour: $30
- 6Days 5Nigths Luang Prabang city tour & Mekong River Cruise: $800
- Best of Luang Prabang Shared Group City Tour: $214
- Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day: $170
- Classic Tour in Luang Prabang: $90
- Classic tour in Luang Prabang (Private): $243
- Day Pass - Premium Wellness Experience at The Namkhan: $90
- Dine and Cruise on Mekong River: $66
- Explore Pak Ou Caves by Kayak with Optional Sunset River Cruise: $196
- From Field to Table Half Day Rice Experience in Luang Prabang: $194
- From 8-Day Laos Tour with Accommodation: $1,241
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Wuyuan $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Wuyuan, we can see that Wuyuan is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Luang Prabang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luang Prabang 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 Wuyuan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wuyuan than you might in Luang Prabang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luang Prabang Expensive? and Is Wuyuan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang or Wuyuan?
Wuyuan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luang Prabang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Wuyuan in the Summer?
Both Wuyuan and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
In the summer, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Wuyuan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luang Prabang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Wuyuan averages at about 30°C (85°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Wuyuan. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In July, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Wuyuan. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Wuyuan 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Wuyuan in the Autumn?
Both Wuyuan and Luang Prabang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Luang Prabang is generally a little warmer than Wuyuan. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 26°C (79°F), and Wuyuan fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in October than Wuyuan. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Wuyuan 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Wuyuan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Wuyuan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than Wuyuan in the winter. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Wuyuan fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In January, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Wuyuan. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Wuyuan 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Wuyuan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Wuyuan. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Wuyuan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luang Prabang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Wuyuan averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Wuyuan. Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in April than Wuyuan. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Wuyuan 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Wuyuan and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Wuyuan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 123 mm (4.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
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.