Which place is cheaper, Sichuan or Yunnan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yunnan or Sichuan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yunnan or Sichuan, 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 Sichuan?
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.
Sichuan
The Sichuan Provence of China is a fairly large Provence in the south central area near Tibet. The area has a wealth of history, natural beauty, and is famous for their cuisine which is known worldwide. You'll find that most young people in larger cities speak some English, although the majority of the area speaks a variant of Mandarin.
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 $52Sichuan $47
The average daily cost (per person) in Yunnan is $52, while the average daily cost in Sichuan is $47. 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 Sichuan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYunnan $22Sichuan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYunnan $44Sichuan $40
Compare Hotels in Yunnan and Sichuan
Looking for a hotel in Yunnan or Sichuan? 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 $12Sichuan $5.51
Is it cheaper to fly into Yunnan or Sichuan?
Prices for flights to both Sichuan 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 $19Sichuan $20
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yunnan $16Sichuan $16
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
Tours and Activities in Sichuan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sichuan.
- Sichuan opera ticket at (Shuxi Tianxia)Tianfu Square: $16
- Sechuan: Big Panda Volunteer Day tour: $345
- 2 days Mt. Siguniang+Wolong panda tour from Chengdu: $369
- 4-Day private tour to Chengdu, Leshan and Mount Emei: $738
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYunnan $10Sichuan $3.59
When comparing the travel costs between Yunnan and Sichuan, we can see that Yunnan 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 Yunnan Expensive? and Is Sichuan 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.