Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Yichang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Yichang or Lijiang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yichang 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: Yichang or Lijiang?
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!
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 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.
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Yichang Prices
China PricesLijiang Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYichang $78Lijiang $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Yichang is $78, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $57. 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 Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYichang $26Lijiang $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYichang $52Lijiang $34
Compare Hotels in Yichang and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Yichang 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.Yichang $15Lijiang $5.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yichang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yichang:
- Yichang Airport Transfer Service, Yichang train station Pick up: $20
- Private transfer from Yichang to Zhangjiajie: $290
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lijiang Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
- Lijiang Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $55
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
- Lijiang Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Ethnic Costume Photoshoot with Hotel Transfers: $131
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into Yichang or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang 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
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Food Meals for one dayYichang $40Lijiang $31
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$4.43
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.Yichang $19Lijiang $21
Tours and Activities in Yichang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yichang are as follows:
- From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $993
- From 5-Day Yangtze River Cruise to Chongqing: $679
- Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall: $239
- Yichang - Chongqing Yangtze Miracle Luxury 5D4N Cruise: $720
- Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
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
- Biking tour&guide visit Lijiang baisha village market park: $50
- Lijiang/Baisha Ancient Town, Naxi Village, Black Dragon Pool Tour: $76
- 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $90
- Shangri-La Scenic Area Private Tour: $92
- Tiger Leaping Gorge with Lijiang Private Tour: $112
- Lijiang to Shangri-La HuXiang Road Private Scenic Tour: $116
- Lijiang：Yulong Snow Mountain Yakniuping Cableway Day Tour: $117
- Lijiang to Shangri-La Scenic Drive Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge: $119
- Baisha, Naxi Village, Lashi Wetlands Private Tour: $120
- Ethnic-Style Travel Photoshoot Immersive Experience: $131
- 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYichang $15Lijiang $8.42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yichang and Lijiang, we can see that Yichang 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 Yichang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yichang 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 Yichang Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yichang or Lijiang?
Lijiang has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Yichang. When comparing the sizes of Yichang 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.