Which place is cheaper, Shaanxi or Yunnan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Yunnan or Shaanxi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yunnan or Shaanxi, 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: Yunnan or Shaanxi?
Yunnan
Located in southwestern China, Yunnan is a province known for its large number of ethnic minorities as well as its varied landscape from snow-capped mountains and rice terraces to lakes and deep gorges. It is also one of the most diverse provinces in China with the Northwest being heavily influenced by Tibet and the South being influenced by the cultures of Laos and Burma.
Shaanxi
Shaanxi is a province of central China-central geographically, culturally, and historically. Its ancient capital, Xian (or Xi'an), was a starting point for the Silk Road and is also famous as the home to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, an archaeological site known for its thousands of clay soldiers called the Terracotta Army. Other attractions include the Hukou waterfalls, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Shaanxi History Museum, and the Great Wall of China on Huashan Mountain.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYunnan $52Shaanxi $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Yunnan is $52, while the average daily cost in Shaanxi is $0.00. 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 Yunnan and Shaanxi in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYunnan $22Shaanxi -
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYunnan $44Shaanxi $0.00
Compare Hotels in Yunnan and Shaanxi
Looking for a hotel in Yunnan or Shaanxi? 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.Yunnan $12Shaanxi -
Is it cheaper to fly into Yunnan or Shaanxi?
Prices for flights to both Shaanxi and Yunnan 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 dayYunnan $19Shaanxi -
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yunnan $16Shaanxi -
Tours and Activities in Yunnan
Here are a few actual costs in Yunnan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shangri-La Area Private Day Tour: $149
- Yangshuo Hot Air Ballooning Sunrise Experience Ticket: $402
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayYunnan $10Shaanxi -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yunnan and Shaanxi, we can see that Yunnan is more expensive. And not only is Shaanxi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shaanxi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shaanxi 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 Yunnan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yunnan than you might in Shaanxi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yunnan Expensive? and Is Shaanxi Expensive?.
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.