Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Yichang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Yichang or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yichang or Chengdu, 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: Yichang or Chengdu?
Yichang
Yichang, China is an ancient city situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in central China. The city is located just below the famed Three Gorges Dam and is a popular ending point for many Yangtze River cruises. Yichang offers beautiful natural scenery and ancient relics from the Three Kingdom Period.
Yichang experiences cool, rainy, winters and hot, humid, summers. Temperatures tend to stay in the 40's Fahrenheit during winter and the 80's in the summer. Spring, Summer, and Autumn are fantastic times to visit, although if you prefer to beat the heat, stay away during late summer!
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 The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYichang $58Chengdu $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Yichang is $58, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $50. 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 Yichang and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYichang $24Chengdu $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYichang $48Chengdu $42
Compare Hotels in Yichang and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Yichang 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.
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.Yichang $14Chengdu $5.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Chengdu to Chengdu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Private Transfer/Guide: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu International Airport (CTU) to Hotel: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Train Stations: $23
- Private Transfer Chengdu (TFU & CTU) Airport Pickup Service: $29
- Departure Transfer from City Hotel to Chengdu Railway Station: $30
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Transfer to Downtown Hotel: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU) to Hotel: $34
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU): $34
- Private Transfer from Chengdu City Hotels to Airport: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Yichang or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Yichang 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 dayYichang $22Chengdu $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Show And Hotpot Dinner Evening Tour: $40
- Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $56
- Private Sichuan Cooking Class including Local Wet Market Visit: $59
- Sichuan cooking class half day tour: $60
- Chengdu evening food tour by local guide: $60
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $65
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
- Half-Day Dandan Noodles Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $70
- Sichuan Opera Show VIP Seat Tickets w/ Transfer or Dinner: $72
- Half Day Chengdu Tofu Making Class with Mapo Tofu Cooking: $72
- Half-Day Chengdu Farm Cooking Class & Spice Market Exploration: $75
- Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yichang $18Chengdu $16
Tours and Activities in Yichang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yichang are as follows:
- Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
- Private Tour: Essence of Yichang Day Tour: $165
- Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall : $239
- Yichang hotel/Sanxia Tourist Center/Maoping pier to Zhangjiajie: $290
- From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $761
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- local people's opera house experience: $10
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Half Day Tour(Private): $16
- Chengdu Panda Base and Dujiangyan One-Day Private Tour: $17
- Chengdu Sichuan Opera Show Ticket - Shu Feng Ya Yun: $17
- Skip the Line: Best Sichuan Opera Show in Chengdu Ticket: $19
- Skip the Line: Sichuan Opera Chengdu Ticket: $21
- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $22
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $22
- Panda Breeding Center (Panda Base) & Taoism temple tour: $28
- Sichuan Opera Shu Feng Yan Yun Evening Show Ticket: $29
- Chengdu Sichuan Opera Evening Show Ticket-Shu Feng Yan Yun : $29
- Private Half-Day Walking Tour Unveil Night Life of Chengdu: $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayYichang $14Chengdu $3.94
When comparing the travel costs between Yichang and Chengdu, we can see that Yichang 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 Yichang Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yichang or Chengdu?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Yichang. When comparing the sizes of Yichang 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.
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.