Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Lijiang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Lijiang, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Qingdao or Lijiang?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
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 Luxury Tours to China, The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $59Lijiang $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $59, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $42. 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 Qingdao and Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $27Lijiang $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $54Lijiang $32
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Lijiang $5.69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $86
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $86
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel: $149
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Dali and Stops at Shaxi: $165
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang and Stops at Shaxi: $165
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Qingdao 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 dayQingdao $20Lijiang $17
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$4.22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $21Lijiang $20
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $245
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Private Qingdao city tour with Qingdao beer and Lunch: $240
- Private Qingdao highlights city tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private tour Qingdao laoshan with round way cable car lunch: $190
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
- 1 Day Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour from Lijiang or Shangri-La: $170
- 1-Day Private Tour to Lijiang Highlights: $297
- 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang: $221
- Biking tour&guide visit Lijiang baisha village market park: $160
- Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $218
- Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $208
- Lijiang Jade dragon snow Mountain Glacier Park show &village tour: $270
- Lijiang Private Essentials Tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain including Cable Car: $258
- Lijiang Sanyi airport (LJG) Pick up and Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour : $186
- Lijiang Tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain w/Cable Car & Show: $348
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Lijiang $8.02
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Lijiang, we can see that Qingdao 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 Qingdao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Qingdao 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 Qingdao Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Lijiang?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Lijiang. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao 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.