A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bandung vs. Zhangye for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bandung or Zhangye?

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

Should I visit Bandung or Zhangye? 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: Bandung or Zhangye?

Bandung

Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.

Zhangye

Zhangye, China is a city in the Gansu Province in the central north part of the country, close to Mongolia. This ancient city has often been used as a military strong hold, having been the headquarters of General Huo among many others. Zhangye is a fabulous day trip city to visit when staying in larger nearby cities.

Zhangye is privy to beautiful summer weather, with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the high 70's Fahrenheit. The best times to visit are between July and September, when temperatures and sunshine are at their highest. Autumn, Winter, and Spring tend to be a little chillier and rainier.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Zhangye or Bandung?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bandung is $41, while the average daily cost in Zhangye is $87. 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 Bandung and Zhangye in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bandung $22
    Zhangye $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bandung $44
    Zhangye $78
Compare Hotels in Bandung and Zhangye

Looking for a hotel in Bandung or Zhangye? 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 Bandung


Hotels in Zhangye


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: Bandung Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bandung $6.00
    Zhangye $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung

Also for Bandung, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Cipanas Thermal to Jakarta Airport CGK Departure Transfer: $28
  • Bandung or Lembang to Bandung Airport BDO Departure Transfer: $28
  • Private Transfer from Mampang to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $32
  • Private Transfer from Sukabumi to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Sukahaji: $36
  • Private Transfer from Sadang Serang to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
  • Private Transfer from Kec. Cibeunying Kidul Kel. 40124 to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
  • Private Transfer from Lembang to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
  • Private Transfer from Paledang to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
  • Private Transfer from Malabar to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Lebak Gede: $36
  • Private Transfer from Sukahaji to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangye

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhangye:

  • Private Airport Transfer: Zhangye Hotel to Zhangye Airport (YZY): $59
  • Private Airport Transfer: Zhangye Airport (YZY) to Zhangye Hotel: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Bandung or Zhangye?

Prices for flights to both Zhangye and Bandung 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
    Bandung $15
    Zhangye $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bandung

For Bandung, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Bandung Food Tour: $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bandung $5.90
    Zhangye $11

Tours and Activities in Bandung

For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Stone Garden Western Tour From Bandung: $39
  • Indonesia: Paragliding Experiences by Papatong Fly & Play: $41
  • Kawah Rengganis Private Hiking and Glamping Lakeside Tour from Bandung: $41
  • Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $43
  • Daytrip Costum White Crater Volcano Mount Tour Guide Bandung: $49
  • Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $50
  • Kawah Putih tour - Day trip Ticket etc all including : $50
  • Lembang Tour From Bandung: $51
  • Private Tour to Patuhan Volcanic Crater and Angklung Show: $54
  • Bandung:Kawah Putih,Volcano,HotSpring,Mud Bathing,Lake Tour: $56
  • Kawah Putih Tour From Bandung City: $58
  • Private Tour to Bandung Volcano Hot Springs and Mud bathing: $59

Tours and Activities in Zhangye

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zhangye are as follows:

  • Private day tour to Zhangye Danxia Landform the Rainbow Mountain: $150
  • Private Day Tour: Horse Hoof Temple Grottoes and Zhangye Danxia Landform: $299
  • Private Hiking Tour: Binggou Danxia and Zhangye Danxia Geopark from Zhangye: $299
  • Private Hiking Tour: Pingshanhu Grand Canyon and the Horse Hoof Temple Grottoes: $235
  • Private day tour to Zhangye Mati temple & Giant Buddha Temple start from Zhangye: $155
  • Zhangye Danxia Half Day tour: $195
  • Zhangye One Day City Tour: $77
  • Zhangye Rainbow Danxia Private Day Tour: $214

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bandung $3.60
    Zhangye $7.09


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bandung or Zhangye?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zhangye. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Zhangye, 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.