Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Taipei?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Taipei or Lijiang?
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 Taipei and Lijiang. 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: Taipei or Lijiang?
Taipei
Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.
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 Cultural Tours in Taiwan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaipei $182Lijiang $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Taipei is $182, 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 Taipei and Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaipei $145Lijiang $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaipei $290Lijiang $30
Compare Hotels in Taipei and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Taipei 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: Taipei Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taipei $10Lijiang $5.58
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:
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Easycard$2.01
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Easycard$9.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei
Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Chinese driver charter wagon] 1 to 7 people ☆ Taoyuan Airport ⇔ Taipei City Airport Transfer [one way]: $66
- [Chinese driver charter sedan] 1 to 4 people ☆ Taoyuan Airport ⇔ Taipei City Hotel Airport Transfer [one way]: $53
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Taipei HTL-APT (TSA): $28
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Taipei APT-HTL (TSA): $28
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Taipei HTL- APT (TPE): $41
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Taipei APT- HTL (TPE): $41
- Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Taoyuan/Taipei hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Keelung Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Taiwan Taipei Taoyuan International Airport（TPE) Private Transfer: $75
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Return Bus Transfer: $8.59
- Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE to Beitou New Taipei Arrival Transfer: $76
- Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Jiaoxi - Arrival Private Transfer: $238
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 Taipei or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Taipei 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 dayTaipei $16Lijiang $17
Typical Food Prices in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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EasyCard$15
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Lunch at The Can$6.81
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EasyCard$31
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Lunch$2.94
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Lunch$1.86
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Dinner$6.19
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Lunch$3.56
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Lunch$4.64
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Louisa coffee$2.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Historic Night Market Food Tour with Tastings: $45
- Ximending Vegan Food Tour Snack, Dessert & Main!: $46
- Taipei Food Tour: Yongkang Street for Foodies: $58
- Yansan Night Market Food Tour: $62
- Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
- Taipei Food Tour and Colorful Bubble Tea Making: $65
- Taipei Food Tour and Colorful Bubble Tea Making: $70
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $74
- Backstreet Food Tour: Food, Culture, and Fun: $75
- Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
- Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
- Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
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$4.14
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taipei $17Lijiang $20
Tours and Activities in Taipei
For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- One-Day Historical and Heritage Tour in Taipei : $47
- 1 Day Tour Northern Taiwan Coast Tour: $200
- 1-day Tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei by High Speed Rail : $250
- 2 Days Sun Moon Lake & Lukang Historic Area Tour: $232
- 2-Day Private Tour to Sun Moon Lake and Mount Hehuan: $195
- 2-Hour Private Longshan Temple Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Beitou, Taiwan: $55
- 2-Hour Private Ximending Area Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - S.Y.S. Memorial Hall & 44 South Village: $58
- 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Xingtian Temple: $55
- 3-Day Private Tour of Taroko Gorge & East Coast Scenic Area: $290
- 3.5 hours Taipei City Tour (morning or afternoon ) : $44
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
- 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $72
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang: $221
- Beautiful Country road Biking tour to Xinhua village Heqing start from Lijiang: $173
- Country Biking tour to lashi lake Lamaism temple baisha village from Lijiang: $176
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaipei $18Lijiang $7.86
Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:
- Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $28
- Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $30
- Private Tour Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery from Taipei : $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taipei and Lijiang, we can see that Taipei 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 Taipei would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taipei 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 Taipei Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Taipei or Lijiang?
Taipei has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Lijiang. When comparing the sizes of Taipei 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.