Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Mount Kailash?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mount Kailash or Xi'an?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Xi'an? 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 Xi'an?
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.
Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $71Xi'an $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $71, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $94. 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 Xi'an in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $27Xi'an $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $54Xi'an $120
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Xi'an
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Xi'an? 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 $31Xi'an $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
- 1-way Private Transfer: Xi'an City Hotel to Airport/Train Station: $55
- Airport Transfer] Xi'an Airport Xi'an City Transfer High reputation for service! : $27
- Full-Day Layover Private Tour: Essence of Xi'an With Airport Transfer: $197
- One Day Private Xian Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Airport Transfers: $170
- One-Way Airport Transfer From Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $75
- Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
- Private Airport Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $29
- Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
- Private Departure Transfer: Xi'an Hotels to Xi'an Airport (XIY): $43
- Private High-speed Train Arrival Transfer: Xi'an Bei (North) Station to Hotel: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Xi'an?
Prices for flights to both Xi'an 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 $24Xi'an $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $32
- Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
- Private Home Cooking Class:Dumpling Cooking Class Tour in Xi'an: $50
- Xi'an Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $62
- Private Xi’an Night & Food Tour by Tuk Tuk and Public Transportation: $67
- Xi'an Evening Food Tour by TukTuk: $69
- 4 Hours Food Tours in Xi'an: $72
- 3-Hour Biang Biang Noodles Cooking Class in Xi'an: $75
- Authentic Muslim Alley Food Tour in Xi'an: $75
- Authentic Old Xi'an Back Street Food Tour : $75
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Dinner with Hotel Transfer: $76
- Half-day Xi'an Steamed Buns(Baozi) Cooking Class with Market Visit: $78
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $15Xi'an $35
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xi'an Virtual Tour: Emperor Qin Shi Huang and His Terracotta Army: $15
- Terra-cotta Warriors Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $26
- Terracotta Warriors 5-Hour Private Tour w/ Optional Pickup Point: $26
- Terracotta Army Ticket: $28
- Group Bus Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Hotel Pickup & Lunch: $35
- Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $35
- Tang Dynasty Palace Show Tickets Booking: $37
- Terra-cotta Warriors Ticket with Optional Car & Guided Service: $38
- Xi'an City Wall: Guided Tour with Cycling Option: $43
- Xi'an Religions Tour: $45
- Leisure Night Walking Tour of Xi’an: $46
- Xi'an City Walking Tour: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.76Xi'an $7.23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Xi'an, we can see that Xi'an 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 Xi'an would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xi'an 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 Xi'an 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.