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

Should you visit Xigatse or Mount Kailash?

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 Mount Kailash 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 Mount Kailash?

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.

Mount Kailash

The main point of entry to Mount Kailash is a small village called Darchen. Once an important sheep station for nomads and their flocks, the village has now grown to provide for the pilgrims wishing to embark towards Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. It contains a number of guest houses and restaurants as well as a hotel where pilgrims must get permission from the Public Security Bureau to make the trek around the mountain. Also in the village are a handful of small stores and kiosks, as well as some grounds for camping. It is about 330 km (a one-day bus drive) from the town of Shiquanhe to the northeast, where Gunsa Airport is located, offering flights twice a week to Lhasa and Chengdu.

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, Mount Kailash or Xigatse?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Xigatse is $63, while the average daily cost in Mount Kailash is $73. 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 Mount Kailash in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xigatse $29
    Mount Kailash $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xigatse $58
    Mount Kailash $56
Compare Hotels in Xigatse and Mount Kailash

Looking for a hotel in Xigatse or Mount Kailash? 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 Mount Kailash


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
    Mount Kailash $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Xigatse or Mount Kailash?

Prices for flights to both Mount Kailash 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
    Mount Kailash $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xigatse $14
    Mount Kailash $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xigatse $3.24
    Mount Kailash $2.84


When comparing the travel costs between Xigatse and Mount Kailash, we can see that Mount Kailash is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Related Articles for Xigatse
Related Articles for Mount Kailash