Which place is cheaper, Shangri-La or Yangon?
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 Yangon or Shangri-La?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yangon or Shangri-La, 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: Yangon or Shangri-La?
Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.
Shangri-La
The original Shangri-La existed in the fictional world of James Hilton's novel "The Lost Horizon." It was a hidden paradise, a place so beautiful that it couldn't possibly exist on earth. The Shangri-La that exists in Yunnan, China today was renamed from its former title Zhongdian in 2001 in order to associate the place with the mystical allure created in Hilton's novel. Visitors come to admire the traditional monasteries and temples set against a backdrop of mountain preserves and pristine lakes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Yangon Prices
Myanmar PricesShangri-La Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangon $70Shangri-La $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $70, while the average daily cost in Shangri-La is $61. 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 Yangon and Shangri-La in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangon $31Shangri-La $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangon $62Shangri-La $38
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Shangri-La
Looking for a hotel in Yangon or Shangri-La? 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.Yangon $2.38Shangri-La $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
- Private Airport Transfer at Yangon Airport to Center of Yangon: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $27
- Private Transfer from or to Rangon International Airport (YIA): $32
- Yangon Airport Private Transfer : $45
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $60
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shangri-La
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shangri-La:
- Private Transfer from Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel : $149
- Private Transfer from Shangri-La to Lijiang and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Shangri-La?
Prices for flights to both Shangri-La and Yangon 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 dayYangon $17Shangri-La $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.
- Morning Yangon Food Tour: $24
- Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
- Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $45
- Cooking Myanmar Food and Explore Dala: $46
- Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangon -Shangri-La $16
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- Yangon Cosmopolitan City Walking Tour: $22
- Morning Eat, Walk & Ride Tour: $25
- Half-Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Join in Tour in Yangon: $33
- Walking Tour in Downtown Yangon: $35
- Yangon Breakfast and Market Tour - The must try dishes!: $35
- Yangon Full Day City Tour: $38
- Yangon Group Street Food & Walking Tour: $40
- Yangon City Tour With English Speaking Driver: $40
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
- One Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Discover Bagan Day Tour : $45
- Old Bagan Full Day Tour : $46
Tours and Activities in Shangri-La
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shangri-La are as follows:
- Shangri-La Day Tour Songzanlin Monastery and Napa Sea: $67
- Tibetan Village Scenic E-Bike Tour: $117
- 1-Day Shangri-La Private Tour: Potatso National Park and Baiji Temple: $169
- 1-Day Shangri-La Tour to Ganden Monastery, Nixi Pottery Village and Tibetan Town: $185
- 1-Day Shangri-La tour with Ganden Monastery, Napahai Lake and Tibetan Town: $190
- 1 Day Shangri-la City Tour with Pudacuo National Park: $209
- Private tour Songzanlin Monastry & Tibetan lunch from Zhongdian: $240
- 1 Day Shangri-La Songzanlin and Potatso National Park Tour: $280
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangon -Shangri-La $13
When comparing the travel costs between Yangon and Shangri-La, we can see that Yangon 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 Yangon Expensive? and Is Shangri-La 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.