Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Sukhothai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sukhothai or Lijiang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sukhothai and Lijiang can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Lijiang?
Sukhothai
If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.
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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySukhothai $59Lijiang $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Sukhothai is $59, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $41. 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 Sukhothai and Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSukhothai $23Lijiang $15
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSukhothai $46Lijiang $30
Compare Hotels in Sukhothai and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Sukhothai 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: Sukhothai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sukhothai $17Lijiang $5.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sukhothai
Also for Sukhothai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to Bangkok City: $268
- Private Transfer to Bangkok City: $322
- One -Way Private Transfer to Chiang Mai: $187
- Sukhothai airport: Transfer to Sukhothai Historical Park: $78
- Sukhothai Hotel Transfer: to/from Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: $159
- Sukhothai : private car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $138
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/Shuhe hotel to Dali : $149
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Sukhothai or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Sukhothai 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 daySukhothai $19Lijiang $17
Typical Food Prices in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch for Two$4.14
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sukhothai $33Lijiang $20
Tours and Activities in Sukhothai
For Sukhothai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cycling Sukhothai Full Day Countryside Tour: $32
- 2.5-Hours Guided Countryside Sunset Bike Tour: $18
- Full-Day Historical Park Cycling Tour with Lunch: $42
- Half-Day Countryside Bike Tour: $26
- Historical Park & Countryside Cycling Tour: $42
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 Lijiang Highlights Mini Group Tour: $203
- 1-Day Lijiang tour with Lijiang Old Town,Black Dragon Pool,Baisha Village,Shuhe: $207
- 1-Day Old Town Tour in Lijiang: $166
- 1-Day Private Tour to Lijiang Highlights: $297
- 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Lijiang to Dali and overnight in Shaxi old town: $212
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang: $221
- Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $208
- Marvelous Gorge Sightseeing and Photo-Taking From Lijiang: $264
- One Day Lijiang Tour Including Tickets: $445
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySukhothai $12Lijiang $7.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Lijiang, we can see that Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Lijiang?
Lijiang has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai 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.