Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Yangon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yangon or Lijiang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yangon or Lijiang, 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 Lijiang?
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.
Lijiang
Lijiang is a city in Southwestern China with a history of rule under the Mu family during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It played a key role along the Ancient Southern Silk Road, which started from Burma, crossed Lijiang, Shangri-La County, Tibet, journeyed through Iran, the Fertile Crescent, and ultimately to the Mediterranean Sea. The area was once a center for trade, politics, culture, and education, which is still evident in the rich culture seen today. Lijiang has also been the home of centuries to the Naxi people who still inhabit the area.
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 $63Lijiang $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $63, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $41. 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 Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangon $31Lijiang $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangon $62Lijiang $30
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Yangon or Lijiang? 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 $2.38Lijiang $5.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Private Hotel Transfers to or from YIA Airport: $24
- Yangon Airport Private Transfer : $27
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $20
- Yangon Airport (RGN): Private Transfer to/from Yangon City: $41
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $40
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
- Private Airport Transfer at Yangon Airport to Center of Yangon: $23
- Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $8.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel: $149
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali : $149
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang 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 $9.70Lijiang $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.
- Morning Yangon Food Tour: $24
- Yangon Evening Food Tour and trishaw ride: $26
- Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $27
- Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
- Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
- Cooking Class in Yangon,Myanmar: $67
Typical Food Prices in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangon -Lijiang $20
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- Adventure Full day visit to Thanlyin (Syriam): $70
- All About Yangon Full Day City Tour: $87
- Bagan Cultrue Tour : $50
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
- Bagan Temples Tour by Private car and Tour guide.: $46
- Bago Full-Day Private Tour from Yangon: $128
- Bago Full-Day Private Tour from Yangon: $110
- Bago Full-Day Tour from Yangon: $79
- Bago by Train: Full-day sightseeing tour: $117
- Best Yangon City Tour with Experience English Speaking Guide: $142
- Burmese Antiques Heritage Shopping Tour: $87
- Bus Ticket ( Yangon - Mandalay): $21
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Via Ferrata with Zipline Experience in Lijiang: $42
- Private Tour: Jade Dragon Village and Baisha Village via Bicycle: $158
- One day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tour in From Lijiang: $160
- 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
- 1-Day Old Town Tour in Lijiang: $166
- 1 Day Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour from Lijiang or Shangri-La: $170
- Private Jade Dragon Snow Mountains and Naxi Village Tour: $187
- 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
- 1 day Lijiang Highlights Mini Group Tour: $203
- 1-Day Lijiang tour with Lijiang Old Town,Black Dragon Pool,Baisha Village,Shuhe: $207
- Private Day Tour Tiger Leaping Gorge and Black Dragon Pond from Lijiang: $207
- Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $208
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangon -Lijiang $7.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangon and Lijiang, we can see that Yangon is more expensive. And not only is Lijiang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lijiang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lijiang 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 Yangon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangon than you might in Lijiang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangon Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangon or Lijiang?
Yangon has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Lijiang. When comparing the sizes of Yangon and Lijiang, 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.