Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Mandalay?
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 Mandalay or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Chengdu, 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: Mandalay or Chengdu?
Mandalay
Located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on the banks of the Irawaddy River, Mandalay is the nation's second largest city behind Yangon. It is centered on the restored Royal Palace and has a large population of Buddhist monks who frequent the city's many temples and monasteries.
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesChengdu Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Chengdu $71
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $71. 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 Mandalay and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Chengdu $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Chengdu $44
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Chengdu? 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: Chengdu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Chengdu $6.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Airport transfer between Tianfu(TFU) and Chengdu downtown: $45
- Authentic Chengdu Dining Experience with with Private Transfers: $60
- Chengdu 3-Day Self-Guided Jiuzhaigou&Huanglong with Transfer: $412
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Chengdu Airport (TFU) to Chengdu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
- Chengdu Airport (TFU) to Chengdu city - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Chengdu Airport Private Transfer With English Speaking Driver: $35
- Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
- Chengdu City to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Optional Transfer or Guide: $20
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Tour with Guide or Transfer: $20
- Chengdu Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Mandalay 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 dayMandalay $10Chengdu $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mandalay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mandalay.
- Myanmar traditional cooking class with local: $26
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Vegetarian Cooking Class at a Local Home: $39
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Private Chengdu TukTuk Food Tour: Hidden Alleys & Local Eats: $59
- Chengdu Hidden Street Food Tour Spice Trails: $60
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit: $69
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $73
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Chengdu $17
Tours and Activities in Mandalay
Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Private Tour in Mandalay and Amarapura: $41
- Mandalay Bike 'n Bite Tour: $45
- Adventure to Dee Dote Waterfalls from Mandalay: $63
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $65
- One Day Tour Of Mandalay,Sagaing,Innwa,Amarapura: $70
- Ancient City Tour in Mandalay: $70
- Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $70
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing: $75
- Private Tour for Amarapura, Mingun, Sagaing and Inwa (AVA): $77
- Private Full Day Mandalay City Tour With Professional Guide: $80
- Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $80
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bamboo Weaving Experience and Chengdu Wenshu Monastery: $5.00
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $9.00
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Volunteer Day Trip: $9.50
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Optional Private Tour: $14
- Chengdu Giant Panda Base Ticket / Optional Private Guide Service: $15
- Ticket reservation for Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base: $15
- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Panda Base Tour with Guide Option: $17
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum Ticket for Adult: $18
- Panda Breeding Base Tickets Booking: $19
- Chengdu panda Base Tickets with Optional Private Tour: $20
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Ticket pre-booking: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Chengdu $4.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Chengdu
Also in Chengdu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chengdu Pub Crawl: $10
- Tipsy Travel: Chengdu Evening Food and Bar Crawl with Local Guide: $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Chengdu, we can see that Chengdu is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mandalay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandalay 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 Chengdu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chengdu than you might in Mandalay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandalay Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Chengdu?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Chengdu, 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.