Which place is cheaper, Kunming or Mount Kailash?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mount Kailash or Kunming?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Kunming? 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 Kunming?
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.
Kunming
Kunming, located in southern China, is the modern capital city of the Yunnan province. It is a transportation hub for visitors entering the region, and good transfer point to just about everywhere else in the province by train or bus. Within the city itself there are many things to see and do with a full range of parks and zoos, museums, temples, theatres, and scenic areas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $72Kunming $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $72, while the average daily cost in Kunming is $69. 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 Kunming in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $28Kunming $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $56Kunming $66
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Kunming
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Kunming? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mount Kailash $32Kunming $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kunming
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Kunming:
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Taxi Ride$1.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kunming
Also for Kunming, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kunming Airport Private Transfer - Charge by Vehicle: $48
- Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pickup: $83
- Kunming Private Round Trip Transfer to Fuxianhu Lake: $90
- One way Kunming airport to hotel private transfer: $41
- [Airport Transfer] Kunming Changshui Airport ⇔ Kunming City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Kunming?
Prices for flights to both Kunming 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
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Food Meals for one dayMount Kailash $25Kunming $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kunming
For Kunming, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kunming evening food tour with locals: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $16Kunming $19
Tours and Activities in Kunming
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kunming.
- One day tour to eastern coast region of Daichi Lake: $69
- Private Night Tour to Enjoy Dynamic Yunnan Show: $86
- Half Day Flower Tour in Kunming: $91
- Morning Market Tour - Eat like a local: $93
- 1-Day Self-Guided Stone Forest Geological Park Tour from Kunming: $106
- Stone Forest Day Tour: $106
- Private Kunming Illuminated Night Tour: Dianchi Lake,1903 Park and Fountain Show: $118
- 1- Day Kunming Short Hiking Tour: $122
- Private Kunming Night Tour with Dynamic Yunnan Show: $125
- Essences of Kunming Downtown Day Tour: $129
- Full Day Private Kunming Sedan Chair Snow Mountain Tour: $130
- Night tour Cross-Bridge rice Noddles Shangrila-Dynamic Yunnan Show from Kunming : $136
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.82Kunming $18
When comparing the travel costs between Mount Kailash and Kunming, we can see that Mount Kailash is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Kunming 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.