Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Nanjing or Lijiang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Lijiang? 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: Nanjing or Lijiang?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Lijiang
Lijiang is a city in Southwestern China with a history of rule under the Mu family during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It played a key role along the Ancient Southern Silk Road, which started from Burma, crossed Lijiang, Shangri-La County, Tibet, journeyed through Iran, the Fertile Crescent, and ultimately to the Mediterranean Sea. The area was once a center for trade, politics, culture, and education, which is still evident in the rich culture seen today. Lijiang has also been the home of centuries to the Naxi people who still inhabit the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
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Nanjing Prices
China PricesLijiang Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNanjing $124Lijiang $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $124, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $57. 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 Nanjing and Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $49Lijiang $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $98Lijiang $34
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing or Lijiang? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nanjing Hotel Prices and Lijiang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $41Lijiang $5.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- [Airport transfer] Nanjing Lukou International Airport ⇔ Nanjing city transfer ☆ High reputation for service! : $27
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport: $80
- Tangshan Hot Spring Spa Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing City: $44
- Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
- Private Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing City Center: $94
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou from Nanjing City Center: $89
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport: $49
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing: $88
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to Zhenjiang City: $110
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to City Center or Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts: $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lijiang Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Lijiang Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
- Ethnic Costume Photoshoot with Hotel Transfers: $131
- Private Transfer from Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG) to Dali: $149
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $52Lijiang $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option: $112
- Nanjing Private Tour: Ming Mausoleum, Night View & Local Dinner: $198
Typical Food Prices in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lijiang Tibet Milk Tea & Homecooking Class with a Market Tour: $29
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.91Lijiang $21
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Nanjing Private Flexible Customized Tour with Lunch Option: $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way: $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Sun Yatsen Mausoleum, Xiaoling Tomb and City Wall: $190
- 6-Hour Private Tour of Xiaoling Tomb,City Wall & Memorial Hall: $144
- All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
- All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $218
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $150
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $160
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour: $63
- Flexible Private Nanjing Layover Tour: $171
- Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197
- Half Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Night River Cruise: $206
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Via Ferrata with Zipline Experience in Lijiang: $42
- Biking tour&guide visit Lijiang baisha village market park: $50
- Lijiang/Baisha Ancient Town, Naxi Village, Black Dragon Pool Tour: $68
- 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $90
- Shangri-La Scenic Area Private Tour: $92
- Tiger Leaping Gorge with Lijiang Private Tour: $112
- Lijiang to Shangri-La HuXiang Road Private Scenic Tour: $116
- Lijiang：Yulong Snow Mountain Yakniuping Cableway Day Tour: $117
- Lijiang to Shangri-La Scenic Drive Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge: $120
- Baisha, Naxi Village, Lashi Wetlands Private Tour: $120
- Ethnic-Style Travel Photoshoot Immersive Experience: $131
- 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $10Lijiang $8.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanjing and Lijiang, we can see that Nanjing is more expensive. And not only is Lijiang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lijiang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lijiang 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 Nanjing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nanjing than you might in Lijiang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Lijiang?
Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lijiang. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing and Lijiang, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.