Which place is cheaper, Dali or Xigatse?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for China Xigatse vs. Dali for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Xigatse or Dali?
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 Dali 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 Dali?
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.
Dali
Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXigatse $61Dali $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Xigatse is $61, while the average daily cost in Dali is $48. 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 Dali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXigatse $28Dali $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXigatse $56Dali $34
Compare Hotels in Xigatse and Dali
Looking for a hotel in Xigatse or Dali? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xigatse $12Dali $9.19
Typical Local Transportation prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
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Local Bus$0.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Xigatse or Dali?
Prices for flights to both Dali 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
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Food Meals for one dayXigatse $24Dali $18
Typical Food prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$4.42
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Breakfast$3.45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dali
For Dali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yunnan specialty cooking class : $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xigatse $14Dali $18
Tours and Activities in Dali
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 day Dali Highlights Mini Group Tour: $140
- 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
- 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
- 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
- 2 Days Lugu Lake and Matriarchal Society Experience Tour: $509
- 2 Days Shangrila City Tour from Lijiang: $437
- 2-Day tour of Shaxi and Tiger Leaping Gorge from Dali/Lijiang: $384
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
- 2days tour Dali Cangshan Mout erhai lake xizhou market three pagodas from Dali: $333
- 3-Day Private Dali Tour: $395
- 4-Day Private Tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi: $840
- 9 days Ancient Town Tour: $1,758
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXigatse $3.15Dali $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xigatse and Dali, we can see that Xigatse is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Dali.
Which is Bigger, Xigatse or Dali?
Dali is bigger, and its population is about 68% larger than the population of Xigatse. When comparing the population of Xigatse vs. Dali, 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 and the activities that interest you.
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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.
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