Which place is cheaper, Chongqing or Lhasa?
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 Lhasa or Chongqing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Chongqing? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Lhasa or Chongqing?
Lhasa
Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.
Chongqing
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.
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Lhasa Prices
China PricesChongqing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $91Chongqing $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $91, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $106. 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 Lhasa and Chongqing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $40Chongqing $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $80Chongqing $100
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Chongqing
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Chongqing? 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.Lhasa $2.60Chongqing $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa
Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
- Lhasa Kongga Airport private Transfer: $260
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- [Airport Transfer] Chongqing Airport ⇔ Chongqing City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $23
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) : $60
- Private One Way Transfer (English Service) between Airport & Hotel & Cruise Port: $99
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $39
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chongqing: $24
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Hotel: $39
- Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Wulong National Park: $156
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $134
- Chongqing Airport Private Transfer : $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Chongqing?
Prices for flights to both Chongqing and Lhasa 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 dayLhasa $46Chongqing $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- 3 HR Chongqing Food Tour: $110
- Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
- Magical Chongqing Art Performance and Food Tour: $297
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Chongqing $14
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
- 17-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp: $3,759
- 17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $13,185
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Chongqing Megacity Walking Tour: $117
- 1 Day Private Tour to UNESCO Dazu Rock Carvings from Chongqing: $156
- 1 Day Private tour to Chongqing Wulong National Geology Park: $168
- 1-Day Chongqing City Private Tour with the Hot pot Lunch: $157
- 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
- All-In-One Chongqing Trendy Spots Private Tour: $220
- Chongqing 10 Hour Private Customized City Tour: $161
- Chongqing 1949 Ticket Epic Historical Spectacle: $41
- Chongqing Heritage Tour with Hands-on Crafts and Teahouse Visit: $129
- Chongqing Luxury Hot Spring and Massage Luxury Meal Private Tour: $10
- Chongqing Nanshan Mountain all-in-one-day sightseeing tour: $83
- Chongqing Private 816 Nuclear Military Plant Tour: $254
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.01Chongqing $7.01
When comparing the travel costs between Lhasa and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing 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 Lhasa Expensive? and Is Chongqing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Chongqing?
Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Chongqing, 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.