A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bagan vs. Hangzhou for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bagan or Hangzhou?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bagan and Hangzhou can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bagan or Hangzhou?

Bagan

Located in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bagan is an ancient city best known as the home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas, and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Bagan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $34, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $84. 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 Bagan and Hangzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bagan $7.36
    Hangzhou $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bagan $15
    Hangzhou $50
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Hangzhou

Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Hangzhou? 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.

Hotels in Bagan


Hotels in Hangzhou


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bagan $3.57
    Hangzhou $8.69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:

  • From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $180
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU): $14

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:


  • Local Bus for Two
    $0.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:

  • Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $128
  • Hangzhou Downtown transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $35
  • Hangzhou International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Shaoxing City: $84
  • Hangzhou Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $75
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $167
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Xitang Water Town: $177
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotels: $33
  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Transfer to QianDao Lake: $131
  • Hangzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer: $173
  • Hangzhou to Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer: $87
  • Hangzhou to Suzhou Bullet Train Ticket with Hangzhou Train Station Transfer: $51
  • 2-Day Private Tour with Lunch and Airport Transfer: $459

Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Hangzhou?

Prices for flights to both Hangzhou and Bagan 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bagan $10
    Hangzhou $33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bagan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bagan.

  • Romantic Sunset Dinner At Bagan Viewing Tower: $91

Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:


  • Breakfast Pastries
    $2.51
  • Pizza Hut Lunch
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.

  • All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
  • Hangzhou One Day Local Food Tour: $124
  • VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Tour with Authentic Dinner: $127
  • Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option: $170
  • Xitang Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner: $203
  • Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town with Dinner and Boat Ride: $282

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bagan $57
    Hangzhou $21

Tours and Activities in Bagan

Here are a few actual costs in Bagan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
  • Old Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $43
  • Old Bagan Biking Tour - Half Day (Guide included): $45
  • Private Bagan Cultural Tour: $46
  • Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
  • Private Day Tour to Mt Popa: $48
  • Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48
  • Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
  • BAGAN TEMPLES FULL DAY GUIDED BY ELECTRIC BIKE ( Private Tour ): $64
  • Tuk Tuk tour to Mt. Popa: $67
  • Full day Adventure Trip in Bagan with Tuk Tuk: $72
  • Bagan Antique Day Tour in Bagan: $86

Tours and Activities in Hangzhou

Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Fei Lai Peak (Lingyin Temple) E-Ticket: $12
  • Hangzhou Qiantang River Night Cruise(Ticket): $26
  • Hangzhou Ghost Market Adventure: Antique Hunt & Bargain Tour: $40
  • A Local Breakfast Experience and TCM visit: $46
  • Hangzhou Bites: Local Guided Market Tour: $49
  • The Key to Zhejiang Culture – Guided Museum Tour: $53
  • Authentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour: $53
  • Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
  • Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
  • Zhejiang University Guided Campus Tour: $65
  • Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $75
  • Skip the Line Impression West Lake VIP Seat Ticket: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bagan -
    Hangzhou $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Hangzhou, we can see that Hangzhou is more expensive. And not only is Bagan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bagan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bagan 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 Hangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hangzhou than you might in Bagan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bagan Expensive? and Is Hangzhou Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bagan or Hangzhou?

Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 6260 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Hangzhou, 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.