Which place is cheaper, Shangri-La or Tianjin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tianjin or Shangri-La?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tianjin or Shangri-La? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tianjin or Shangri-La?
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
Shangri-La
The original Shangri-La existed in the fictional world of James Hilton's novel "The Lost Horizon." It was a hidden paradise, a place so beautiful that it couldn't possibly exist on earth. The Shangri-La that exists in Yunnan, China today was renamed from its former title Zhongdian in 2001 in order to associate the place with the mystical allure created in Hilton's novel. Visitors come to admire the traditional monasteries and temples set against a backdrop of mountain preserves and pristine lakes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.
-
Tianjin Prices
China PricesShangri-La Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTianjin $97Shangri-La $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Tianjin is $97, while the average daily cost in Shangri-La is $64. 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 Tianjin and Shangri-La in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTianjin $37Shangri-La $20
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTianjin $74Shangri-La $40
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Shangri-La
Looking for a hotel in Tianjin or Shangri-La? 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.Tianjin $39Shangri-La $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tianjin Airport pickup, Tianjin Airport -Beijing private transfer: $14
- Tianjin Binhai Airport(TSN) to Tianjin - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $29
- Tianjin Railway Station Private Transfer to Cruise Port: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN): $39
- Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
- Tianjin Cruise Port Transfer To Tianjin Airport one way private transfer: $50
- Tianjin Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
- Arrival Transfer from Tianjin Airport TSN to Tianjin City: $60
- Departure Transfer from Tianjin City to Tianjin Airport TSN: $60
- Private Tianjin Transfer to Xingang International Cruise Port from City Hotels: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shangri-La
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shangri-La:
- Private Transfer from Shangri-La to Lijiang and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $160
- Private Transfer from Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Shangri-La?
Prices for flights to both Shangri-La and Tianjin 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 dayTianjin $38Shangri-La $34
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tianjin $11Shangri-La $17
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- Guided Day Tour to Tianjin Downtown with Lunch: $148
- Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $169
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Capital Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $187
- Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Daxing Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $203
- Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $215
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Private Shopping Tour: $228
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- Private Tianjin Day Tour to Huangyaguan Great Wall and Dule Temple: $238
- Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $238
- Tian jin harbor cruise to Beijng all-inclusive day trip: $239
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
Tours and Activities in Shangri-La
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shangri-La are as follows:
- 1 Day Shangri La Balagezong Private Tour: $290
- 1 Day Shangri-La Songzanlin and Potatso National Park Tour: $280
- 1 Day Shangri-la City Tour with Pudacuo National Park: $209
- 1-Day Shangri-La Private Tour: Potatso National Park and Baiji Temple: $169
- 1-Day Shangri-La Tour to Ganden Monastery, Nixi Pottery Village and Tibetan Town: $185
- 1-Day Shangri-La tour with Ganden Monastery, Napahai Lake and Tibetan Town: $190
- 2 day Shangri La Adventure Tour from Lijiang: $200
- Private tour Songzanlin Monastry & Tibetan lunch from Zhongdian: $240
- Shangri-La Day Tour Songzanlin Monastery and Napa Sea: $67
- Tibetan Village Scenic E-Bike Tour: $117
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTianjin $12Shangri-La $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tianjin and Shangri-La, we can see that Tianjin is more expensive. And not only is Shangri-La much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shangri-La would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shangri-La 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 Tianjin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tianjin than you might in Shangri-La.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tianjin Expensive? and Is Shangri-La 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.