Which place is cheaper, Shaanxi or Sichuan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sichuan or Shaanxi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sichuan or Shaanxi, 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: Sichuan or Shaanxi?
Sichuan
The Sichuan Provence of China is a fairly large Provence in the south central area near Tibet. The area has a wealth of history, natural beauty, and is famous for their cuisine which is known worldwide. You'll find that most young people in larger cities speak some English, although the majority of the area speaks a variant of Mandarin.
Shaanxi
Shaanxi is a province of central China-central geographically, culturally, and historically. Its ancient capital, Xian (or Xi'an), was a starting point for the Silk Road and is also famous as the home to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, an archaeological site known for its thousands of clay soldiers called the Terracotta Army. Other attractions include the Hukou waterfalls, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Shaanxi History Museum, and the Great Wall of China on Huashan Mountain.
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 daySichuan $47Shaanxi $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Sichuan is $47, while the average daily cost in Shaanxi 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 Sichuan and Shaanxi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSichuan $20Shaanxi $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSichuan $40Shaanxi $120
Compare Hotels in Sichuan and Shaanxi
Looking for a hotel in Sichuan or Shaanxi? 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.Sichuan $5.51Shaanxi $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Sichuan or Shaanxi?
Prices for flights to both Shaanxi and Sichuan 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 daySichuan $20Shaanxi $12
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sichuan $16Shaanxi $35
Tours and Activities in Sichuan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sichuan.
- Sichuan opera ticket at (Shuxi Tianxia)Tianfu Square: $16
- Sechuan: Big Panda Volunteer Day tour: $345
- 2 days Mt. Siguniang+Wolong panda tour from Chengdu: $369
- 4-Day private tour to Chengdu, Leshan and Mount Emei: $738
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySichuan $3.59Shaanxi $7.24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sichuan and Shaanxi, we can see that Shaanxi is more expensive. And not only is Sichuan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sichuan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sichuan 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 Shaanxi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shaanxi than you might in Sichuan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sichuan Expensive? and Is Shaanxi 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.