The Tourism Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences has released the first report of the Chinese Tourist Price Index (TPI).

The index, based on ticket prices and cost of hotel, food and transport from the travel portal website wwwlotour.com, captures trends in tourism costs in China from May to July, 2011.

It shows that the most expensive Chinese cities for average overnight tours are Shenzhen, Beijing and Sanya (Hainan), while the cheapest are Shaoshan (Hunan), Korla (Xinjiang) and Beihai (Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region).

The report also covers the nation's hottest tourism destinations, airlines and budget hotels.