Which place is cheaper, Chongqing or Mount Kailash?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Mount Kailash or Chongqing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Chongqing? 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 Chongqing?
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.
Chongqing
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
-
Mount Kailash Prices
China PricesChongqing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $90Chongqing $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $90, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $106. 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 Chongqing in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $27Chongqing $50
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $54Chongqing $100
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Chongqing
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Chongqing? 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 $32Chongqing $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG): $27
- Chongqing Airport Private Transfer : $22
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $30
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $134
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Wulong National Park: $156
- Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) to Hotel: $39
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $39
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) : $60
- Private Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Airport (CKG) : $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Chongqing?
Prices for flights to both Chongqing 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 $43Chongqing $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- 3 HR Chongqing Food Tour: $110
- Chongqing Cyberpunk City Night Tour Including Dinner: $140
- Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
- Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $183
- From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $246
- Magical Chongqing Art Performance and Food Tour: $297
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $16Chongqing $14
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chongqing Wulong National Park Private Nature Tour: $10
- Dazu Rock Carvings and Ancient Town Private Cultural Day Tour: $10
- Chongqing Luxury Hot Spring and Massage Luxury Meal Private Tour: $10
- Chongqing Private Tour Pandas City Must See Hot Pot All in one: $10
- Chongqing private luxury city tour: Must-sees All in One: $10
- Chongqing 1949 Ticket Epic Historical Spectacle: $51
- 3-hour Chongqing Back Alley Walking Tour: $65
- Chongqing Walking Tour: Shancheng Alley or Huangge Ancient Road: $65
- Chongqing Nanshan Mountain all-in-one-day sightseeing tour: $83
- Private Chongqing Illuminated Night Tour : $112
- 1 Day Chongqing Megacity Walking Tour: $117
- city tour of Chongqing : $130
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.80Chongqing $7.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing is more expensive. And not only is Mount Kailash much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Kailash would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Kailash 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing than you might in Mount Kailash.
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 Chongqing 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.