Which place is cheaper, Shanxi or Yunnan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yunnan or Shanxi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yunnan or Shanxi, 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 Shanxi?
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.
Shanxi
Sometimes your vacation can be your link to ancient history. Any visit to the Shanxi Province of China lets you wander through this region's long and cultured history. This area was once the cradle of Chinese civilization – which becomes obvious by simply taking a look around the old temples, traditional Qing-dynasty architecture and the caves of Lijia-Shan. They are still inhabited to this day!
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYunnan $52Shanxi $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Yunnan is $52, while the average daily cost in Shanxi is $64. 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 Shanxi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYunnan $22Shanxi $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYunnan $44Shanxi $58
Compare Hotels in Yunnan and Shanxi
Looking for a hotel in Yunnan or Shanxi? 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.Yunnan $12Shanxi $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Yunnan or Shanxi?
Prices for flights to both Shanxi 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
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Food Meals for one dayYunnan $19Shanxi $20
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yunnan $16Shanxi $20
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYunnan $10Shanxi $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yunnan and Shanxi, we can see that Shanxi is more expensive. And not only is Yunnan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yunnan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yunnan 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 Shanxi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanxi than you might in Yunnan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yunnan Expensive? and Is Shanxi 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.