A Travel Price Comparison for China Xiamen vs. Chengdu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xiamen or Chengdu?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Chengdu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Xiamen or Chengdu?

Xiamen

Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.

Chengdu

Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Xiamen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $51. 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 Xiamen and Chengdu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $31
    Chengdu $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $62
    Chengdu $42
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Chengdu

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Chengdu? 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.

Hotels in Xiamen


Hotels in Chengdu


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.
    Xiamen $6.02
    Chengdu $5.97

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
  • Private Departure Transfer to North Railway Station from Downtown Xiamen: $15
  • Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
  • Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Gaobei Tulou Cluster: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:

  • Sichuan Face Changing Opera With Door to Door Private Transfer and Guide: $52
  • Private Transfer to Leshan Giant Buddha: $120
  • Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
  • Private Transfer from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Chengdu Hotel: $52
  • Private Transfer from Chengdu Hotel to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport: $52
  • Private Transfer from Chengdu Hotel to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport: $52
  • Private Transfer from Chengdu City Hotels to Airport: $35
  • Private Transfer Chengdu (TFU & CTU) Airport Pickup Service: $29
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer:Chengdu Shuangliu Airport or Chengdu Tianfu Airport : $67
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Train Stations: $23
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU): $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Chengdu?

Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Xiamen 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 day
    Xiamen $26
    Chengdu $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.

  • Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $56
  • Private Sichuan Cooking Class including Local Wet Market Visit: $59
  • Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch: $62
  • Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $65
  • Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
  • Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
  • Half-Day Dandan Noodles Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $70
  • Half Day Chengdu Tofu Making Class with Mapo Tofu Cooking: $72
  • Half-Day Chengdu Farm Cooking Class & Spice Market Exploration: $75
  • Half-Day Chengdu Courtyard Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: $80
  • Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
  • Half-Day Sichuan Cooking Class Experience in Chengdu: $84

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Chengdu $16

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
  • Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa: $97
  • A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
  • Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
  • Private Xiamen Sea Food Market & Zhongshan Road Shopping and Eating Experience: $107
  • Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
  • Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
  • Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
  • 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
  • Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $119
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
  • Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132

Tours and Activities in Chengdu

Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Chengdu Leshan Buddha and Drop off off Railway Station Day Tour: $226
  • Chengdu Private Day Tour to the Leshan Giant Buddha and Huanglongxi Old Town: $248
  • Private Chengdu Panda Base and Sichuan Cuisine Museum Day Tour: $120
  • Private Chengdu day Tour of panda base with Leshan giant Buddha: $298
  • Private Full Day Chengdu Panda Base and Jinsha Site Museum Tour: $136
  • Private Leshan Buddha Day Tour with Local Market visiting: $160
  • 1 Day Wolong Panda Nature Reserve Tour: $218
  • 1 day Chengdu City Highlights Mini Group tour: $102
  • 1 day Dujiangyan + Jiezi Old town Mini Group tour: $83
  • 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Tour: Ancient Poets and Temples: $189
  • 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha GROUP Tour: $144
  • 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch: $246

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Chengdu $3.96


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Chengdu, we can see that Xiamen is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Xiamen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xiamen than you might in Chengdu.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Chengdu?

Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Chengdu, 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.