Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Pingyao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pingyao or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pingyao and Beijing. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Pingyao or Beijing?
Pingyao
Pingyao is a small city in the Shanxi Province of China, dating back over 2700 years. The city is most famous for their old town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town is one of the best preserved ancient walled cities in the world dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The climate in Pingyao is influenced by monsoons, and therefore gets hot and humid summers and chillier springs. Autumn is a great time to visit as temperatures are fairly mild-in the 50-60's Fahrenheit- and you can avoid the heavy rains of summer. Winter is also a pleasant time to visit, especially since temperatures tend not to dip below 30 and there is not much snow or bad weather.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPingyao $54Beijing $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Pingyao is $54, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $77. 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 Pingyao and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPingyao $23Beijing $39
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPingyao $46Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Pingyao and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Pingyao or Beijing? 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.Pingyao $13Beijing $7.65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pingyao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Pingyao:
-
Taxi to Train Station$1.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pingyao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pingyao:
- Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Wutaishan from Pingyao: $190
- Private Transfer Servcie to Mianshan (Mian Mountain) from Pingyao: $60
- Privater Transfer from Datong to Pingyao with driver: $115
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
-
Taxi$4.72
-
Train from Airport for Two$6.91
-
Taxi to Hotel$8.29
-
2 Metro Passes$2.21
-
Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
- From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Train Stations to Hotel: $22
- Beijing Railway Station Departure Transfer: Hotel/Apartment to Railway Station: $23
- Private Airport Pick Up or Drop Off Transfer: $26
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX): $27
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX): $27
- Private One Way Transfer Services from Train Stations in Beijing to Your Hotels : $27
- Private One Way Transfer Service from Your Hotels to Train Stations in Beijing: $27
- Private Beijing Airport Transfer To Beijing Downtown Hotel: $28
- One-Way Private Transfer to Beijing Airport: $28
- Private Beijing Airport Transfer From hotel to Airport: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Pingyao or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Pingyao 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 dayPingyao $19Beijing $21
Typical Food Prices in Pingyao
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pingyao are as follows:
-
Casual Lunch (for 2)$4.98
-
Mango Juice$0.69
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
-
Popcorn$0.83
-
Hot Pot Dinner$6.91
-
Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.76
-
Watermelon$1.94
-
Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
-
Two Popsicles$0.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
- 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
- Mogolian Hot Pot Dinner with no limit soft drink and local beer .: $70
- discovery more Beijing back street evening food tour with locals : $79
- Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
- Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $80
- Authentic Lunch or Dinner Tour in Beijing's Best Hidden Spots: $80
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pingyao $18Beijing $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pingyao
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Pingyao are as follows:
-
All Day Bike Rental (for 2)$2.76
-
Temple Entrance Fee (for 2)$6.91
-
Bike Parking Fee (for 2)$0.55
Tours and Activities in Pingyao
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pingyao are as follows:
- Half-Day Private Walking Tour of Pingyao Ancient City: $59
- 2-Hour Guided Private Bike Tour to see the Hidden Pingyao & Tea Break: $60
- Pingyao Food Walking Tour : $67
- 1-Day Pingyao Ancient Town Sightseeing Walking Tour: $113
- Private Tour: Wang's Family Compound and Shuanglin Temple From Pingyao: $116
- 3-Hour Private Walking Tour of Pingyao Highlights: $125
- Pingyao Ancient City Full-Day Walking Tour: $129
- Pingyao Day Tour: Wang Family Mansion and Zhangbi Ancient Castle: $132
- All Inclusive Pingyao Private Tour to Qiao Family Compound and Shuanglin Temple: $142
- Private Day Tour: Pingyao Highlights of Old Town and City Wall: $154
- Private Old Town Highlights Day Tour: $160
- Private Day Tour in Pingyao Including Zhenguo and Shuanglin Temple: $164
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.29
-
Two Opera Tickets$59
-
Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.68
-
Forbidden City (for 2)$17
-
Forbidden City Tickets$17
-
Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Small Group Temple of Heaven Walking Tour: $5.00
- Small Group Hutongs Walking Tour : $5.00
- Summer Palace+Ming Tombs/Heaven Temple/China National Museum Tour: $8.00
- Beijing Temple of Heaven Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $8.00
- Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $8.00
- Summer Palace Admission Ticket Pre-booking Service: $8.80
- Forbidden City Ticket : $9.90
- Beijing Forbidden City Admission Ticket Pre Booking Service: $9.98
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- The Temple of Heaven OR Summer Palace Entry Ticket: $12
- The Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace Entry Ticket: $13
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPingyao $13Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $99
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Full Day Private Chateau Changyu Wine Tour from Beijing: $161
- Private Tour-Bejing Old Hutong Food Tasting+Local Brewery Beer: $165
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pingyao and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Pingyao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pingyao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pingyao 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing than you might in Pingyao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pingyao Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pingyao or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Pingyao. When comparing the sizes of Pingyao and Beijing, 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.