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

Should you visit Xigatse 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 Xigatse 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: Xigatse or Chengdu?

Xigatse

The second largest city in Tibet behind Lhasa, Xigatse, commonly known as Shigatse, is home to sights and attractions like the Tashilhunpo Monastery, plenty of markets, and the ruins of Shigatse temple. All places of interest are fairly walkable, though auto-rickshaws are also available.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Xigatse?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Xigatse is $62, 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 Xigatse and Chengdu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xigatse $28
    Chengdu $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xigatse $56
    Chengdu $42
Compare Hotels in Xigatse and Chengdu

Looking for a hotel in Xigatse 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 Xigatse


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.
    Xigatse $13
    Chengdu $5.97

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:

  • Downtown to Leshan or Mount Emei round way transfer for 2-day service: $251
  • Chengdu Panda & Giant Buddha Day Tour With Private Transfer: $240
  • 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Leshan Giant buddha with Round Airport Transfer: $205
  • 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Panda Base, city central with Round Airport Transfer: $192
  • Downtown to Leshan round way transfer for one day service: $172
  • Private Transfer to Leshan Giant Buddha: $120
  • Downtown to Dujiangyan round way transfer: $117
  • Arrival Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu by Luxury Sedan: $91
  • Chengdu Private Transfer from Chengdu central to Chengdu Airport (CTU): $81
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer:Chengdu Shuangliu Airport or Chengdu Tianfu Airport : $67
  • Chengdu to Xi'an/Chongqing Bullet Train Ticket with Transfer: $56
  • Chengdu Shuangliu Airport Chauffeur Service, Chengdu Airport Transfer, Pickup: $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Xigatse or Chengdu?

Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Xigatse 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
    Xigatse $24
    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.
    Xigatse $14
    Chengdu $16

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
    Xigatse $3.18
    Chengdu $3.96


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xigatse and Chengdu, we can see that Xigatse 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 Xigatse would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xigatse 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 Xigatse Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Xigatse or Chengdu?

Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Xigatse. When comparing the sizes of Xigatse 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.