Should I Visit Mount Kailash or Hongcun for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Mount Kailash or Hongcun?

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

Should I visit Mount Kailash or Hongcun? 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 Hongcun?

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.

Hongcun

When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.

The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.

Which place is cheaper, Hongcun 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.

Mount Kailash Prices
China Prices

Hongcun Prices
China Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Mount Kailash $88

Hongcun $66

The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $88, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $66. 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 Hongcun in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Mount Kailash $27

Hongcun $23
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Mount Kailash $54

Hongcun $46

Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Hongcun

Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Hongcun? 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 $31

Hongcun $12

Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Hongcun?

Prices for flights to both Hongcun 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 day

Mount Kailash $42

Hongcun $32

Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:

Lunch for Two

$4.80
Breakfast of Dumplings

$2.06

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Mount Kailash $15

Hongcun $17

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:

Two Entrance Tickets

$29

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Mount Kailash $2.74

Hongcun $14

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Hongcun, we can see that Mount Kailash is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Hongcun.

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 Hongcun Expensive?.

A Travel Price Comparison for China Mount Kailash vs. Hongcun for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mount Kailash or Hongcun?

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

Where Should I go: Mount Kailash or Hongcun?

Mount Kailash

Hongcun

Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Mount Kailash?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Hongcun

Local Transportation

Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Hongcun?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Entertainment

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Alcohol

Related Articles for Mount Kailash

Related Articles for Hongcun

A Travel Price Comparison for China Mount Kailash vs. Hongcun for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mount Kailash or Hongcun?

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

Where Should I go: Mount Kailash or Hongcun?

Mount Kailash

Hongcun

Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Mount Kailash?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Hongcun

Local Transportation

Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Hongcun?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Entertainment

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Alcohol

Related Articles for Mount Kailash

Related Articles for Hongcun

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