Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Yangon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yangon or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yangon or Beijing, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Yangon or Beijing?
Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangon $40Beijing $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $40, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $78. 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 Yangon and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangon $20Beijing $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangon $40Beijing $80
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Yangon or Beijing? 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.Yangon $1.54Beijing $7.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $8.54
- Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
- One Way Yangon Hotel to Airport Transfer with Airport Lounge access: $52
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
- Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $40
- Yangon Airport (RGN): Private Transfer to/from Yangon City: $41
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $20
- Yangon Airport Private Transfer : $27
- Private Hotel Transfers to or from YIA Airport: $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.84
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Train from Airport for Two$7.09
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Taxi to Hotel$8.51
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2 Metro Passes$2.27
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Metro$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- From Return Bus Transfer to Badaling Great Wall: $12
- Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
- From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $18
- Beijing Daxing International Airport shuttle bus transfer service: $20
- Beijing Airport Transfer: $21
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Train Stations to Hotel: $22
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beijing Train Stations: $22
- Private transfer from Beijing Airport (PEK/PKX) to Beijing City: $23
- Private Airport Pick Up or Drop Off Transfer: $26
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX): $27
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX): $27
- Private One Way Transfer Service from Your Hotels to Train Stations in Beijing: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Yangon 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 dayYangon $6.28Beijing $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.
- Yangon Evening Food Tour and trishaw ride: $26
- Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $27
- Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
- Cooking Myanmar Food and Explore Dala: $46
- Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.85
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.09
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.84
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Watermelon$1.99
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$17
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Two Popsicles$0.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Gulou (the Drum Tower) of Beijing Dinner & Beer Walking Tour: $68
- Beijing Gulou Night Market Food Tour: $68
- Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangon -Beijing $25
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- Bus Ticket ( Yangon - Mandalay): $21
- Walk and Ride Yangon Foodie Tour: $25
- Walking Tour in Downtown Yangon: $25
- Half-Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Join in Tour in Yangon: $33
- Yangon Full Day City Tour: $38
- Yangon Group Street Food & Walking Tour: $40
- Half-Day Thanlyin Tour in Yangon: $40
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
- One Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Discover Bagan Day Tour : $45
- Bagan Temples Tour by Private car and Tour guide.: $46
- Small Group: 6-Hour Yangon Highlights CityWalk Join-In Guided Tour: $46
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$8.51
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Two Opera Tickets$60
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.93
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Forbidden city +Tianan men square tickets booking with tour: $3.00
- Tiananmen Square Ticket Fast and Smooth: $5.02
- Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Temple of Heaven Ticket Booking: $6.50
- Temple of Heaven Ticket Booking: $6.80
- Beijing Lama Temple Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $7.00
- Temple of Heaven Tickets Booking: $7.00
- Confucius Temple and the Impercial College E-ticket: $7.20
- Temple of Earth ticket; Serene, Majestic, Ancient: $7.23
- Beijing：Jingshan Park (Palace Museum Garden) Ticket: $7.38
- Jingshan Park Entry ticket: $7.38
- Beijing Temple of Heaven Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $7.88
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangon -Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Private Tour-Drum Tower, Hutong Food Taste and Local Brewery Beer: $120
- Full Day Private Chateau Changyu Wine Tour from Beijing: $166
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangon and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Yangon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yangon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangon 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing than you might in Yangon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangon Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangon or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Yangon. When comparing the sizes of Yangon and Beijing, 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.
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.