Should you visit Xi'an or Beijing?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Xi'an and Beijing can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
Which city is cheaper, Beijing or Xi'an?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $84, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $69. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Xi'an and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Xi'an is $108. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Beijing is $70. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
In Xi'an travelers spend around $11 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
In Beijing travelers spend around $18 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Xi'an $11
Beijing $18
Typical Food prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
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Online Cooking Class:
$25
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Path Hutong Food Tour:
$30
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Kung fu Show and Peking Roasted Duck Dinner:
$58
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Private Temple of Heaven Walking Tour with Peking Duck Dinner or Kung Fu Show:
$62
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Acrobatic Show w/ Peking Duck Dinner Private:
$68
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Beijing Historical Center with Peking Opera and Duck Dinner:
$69
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3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour:
$69
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Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour:
$69
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4-Hour Peking Duck Dinner & Kung Fu Show Night:
$80
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Old Beijing Dinner Tour:
$80
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Vegetarian / Peking Duck / Hotpot Dinner with Kungfu Show Private Tour:
$90
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Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing:
$90
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $11 per day to get around in Xi'an.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $6.83 per day to get around in Beijing.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
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1-Day Beijing Layover Private Tour: Forbidden City with Round Airport transfers:
$190
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1-Day Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with Round Airport Transfers:
$195
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1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers:
$250
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1-Hour Private Tai Chi Class in the Temple of Heaven Park with One Way Transfer:
$78
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1-Way Private Transfer Service between Tianjin cruise Port and Beijing hotels:
$301
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1-Way Private Transfer between Beijing Airport and City Hotels:
$30
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2 Days Beijing to Feng Ning Ba Shang Grassland tour with private transfer:
$448
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2-Day Customizable Beijing Highlight Tour with Airport Transfer Option:
$520
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2-Day Highlights Group Tour With Beijing Airport Transfer Service:
$247
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2-Day Private Beijing Tour with PEK Airport Transfer:
$265
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2-Way Share Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing Capital Airport:
$84
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3 Days Beijing Private Tour with Airport (Train Station) Transfer:
$305
Is it cheaper to fly into Xi'an or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Xi'an 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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $31 per person, per day in Xi'an. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $21 per person, per day in Beijing. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Typical Entertainment prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two
$9.26
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Two Opera Tickets
$66
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
$11
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Forbidden City (for 2)
$19
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Forbidden City Tickets
$19
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City
$12
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Temple of Heaven Tickets Booking:
$4.00
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MTY test product for tours:
$5.00
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Beijing Summer Palace Admission Ticket:
$5.13
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Train Tickets in China:
$5.34
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Private Tailor made tour for your family only in China around:
$5.34
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Beijing National Center for the Performing Arts Admission Ticket:
$6.45
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Beijing Temple of Heaven Admission Ticket:
$7.06
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Skip-the-Line Yonghe Lama Temple Ticket:
$7.30
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Summer Palace Tickets Booking:
$8.00
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Mutianyu: Great Wall Admission Tickets:
$8.18
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Beijing Forbidden City Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service):
$8.21
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Beijing Automobile Museum Admission Ticket:
$8.71
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Xi'an may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $6.47 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Beijing may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $10 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
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Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing:
$138
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5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing:
$178
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Private Wonderful Beijing Bar Crawl Tour:
$195
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Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit:
$228
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xi'an and Beijing, we can see that Xi'an is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Xi'an would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xi'an than you might in Beijing.
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