Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Ao Nang?
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 Ao Nang or Zhangjiajie?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Zhangjiajie? 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: Ao Nang or Zhangjiajie?
Ao Nang
If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Ao Nang Prices
Thailand PricesZhangjiajie Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $136Zhangjiajie $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $136, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $79. 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 Ao Nang and Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $52Zhangjiajie $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $104Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Zhangjiajie? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ao Nang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $64Zhangjiajie $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Krabi: Ao Nang To or From Phi Phi By Fast Speedboat Transfer: $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $321
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $52
- 1 Day Fenghuang and Furong Town Day Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie and Ao Nang 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 dayAo Nang $49Zhangjiajie $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $13Zhangjiajie $23
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- 2-Day Private Combo Tour: Avatar Mountain & Tianmen Mountain: $251
- 2-Days Private tour to Avatar mount & Have's Gate & Glass bridge: $250
- (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
- 1 Day Dragon Sitting Gorge & Red Stone Forest Geo-park TOUR！: $272
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
- 1 Day VIP Tour: Avatar Mountain&72 Odd Towers (Free Ticket): $203
- 1 day tour Avatar Mountain and Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge: $215
- 1-Day Private Tour to Glass Bridge & Yellow Dragon Cave: $102
- 1-Day Private Tour to Tianmen Mountain & Glass Walk & Night Light: $146
- 1-Day Private Tour to ZJJ National Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & AVATAR Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $17Zhangjiajie $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Ao Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ao Nang than you might in Zhangjiajie.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ao Nang Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Zhangjiajie, 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.
When is the best time to visit Ao Nang or Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ao Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Ao Nang or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Zhangjiajie. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.
In July, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Zhangjiajie. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ao Nang is a little warmer than Zhangjiajie in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in October than Zhangjiajie. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAo Nang 27°C (81°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
Both Zhangjiajie and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year.
In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 5°C (42°F).
In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
Both Zhangjiajie and Ao Nang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in April than Zhangjiajie. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAo Nang 29°C (84°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Ao Nang
| Ao Nang | Zhangjiajie | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
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.