Which place is cheaper, Bagan or Mount Kailash?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Mount Kailash or Bagan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Bagan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Mount Kailash or Bagan?
Mount Kailash
The main point of entry to Mount Kailash is a small village called Darchen. Once an important sheep station for nomads and their flocks, the village has now grown to provide for the pilgrims wishing to embark towards Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. It contains a number of guest houses and restaurants as well as a hotel where pilgrims must get permission from the Public Security Bureau to make the trek around the mountain. Also in the village are a handful of small stores and kiosks, as well as some grounds for camping. It is about 330 km (a one-day bus drive) from the town of Shiquanhe to the northeast, where Gunsa Airport is located, offering flights twice a week to Lhasa and Chengdu.
Bagan
Located in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bagan is an ancient city best known as the home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas, and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $71Bagan $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $71, while the average daily cost in Bagan is $30. 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 Mount Kailash and Bagan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $27Bagan $7.36
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $54Bagan $15
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Bagan
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Bagan? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mount Kailash $31Bagan $3.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
- From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Bagan?
Prices for flights to both Bagan and Mount Kailash 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 dayMount Kailash $24Bagan $5.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bagan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bagan.
- Romantic Sunset Dinner At Bagan Viewing Tower: $91
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $15Bagan $57
Tours and Activities in Bagan
Here are a few actual costs in Bagan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
- Mount Popa Tour: $42
- Old Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $43
- Old Bagan Biking Tour - Half Day (Guide included): $45
- Private Bagan Cultural Tour : $46
- Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
- Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48
- Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
- BAGAN TEMPLES FULL DAY GUIDED BY ELECTRIC BIKE ( Private Tour ): $64
- Full day Adventure Trip to Mt. Popa & Salay: $65
- Tuk Tuk tour to Mt. Popa : $67
- Private Bagan day tour by car with horse cart: $70
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.76Bagan -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Bagan, we can see that Mount Kailash is more expensive. And not only is Bagan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bagan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bagan 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 Mount Kailash would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mount Kailash than you might in Bagan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mount Kailash Expensive? and Is Bagan 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.