Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Hongcun?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Hongcun. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Chiang Mai or Hongcun?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $51Hongcun $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $51, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $54. 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 Chiang Mai and Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $29Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $58Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Hongcun? 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $4.11Hongcun $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.24
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Moped Rental$5.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer - Chiang Mai International Airport: $4.33
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer to Hotel Or From Hotel To Airport : $6.18
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Private Transfer: $8.00
- Chiang Mai Private Car :Airport To Hotel transfer (one way) : $8.56
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $9.67
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Mai to/from Chiangmai Town: $10
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $10
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Departure Transfers: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $14
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Departure Shared Transfer: $15
- Chiang Mai Shared Arrival or Departure Transfer: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $12Hongcun $19
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$6.02
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.74
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Casual Breakfast$1.24
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.18
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Mangoes$0.93
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Coffee$1.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chiang Mai : Small Group Thai Cooking class with market tour: $20
- Morning Cooking Class in Organic Garden | Chiang Mai: $24
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $25
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $25
- Evening Cooking Class and Local Market Visit: $26
- Thai Cooking Class in Organic Farm & Market: $26
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $28
- The Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm Chiangmai : $29
- Private Virtual Thai Cooking Class: $29
- Cooking Class with Local Chef only 4 people Since 2013: $29
- Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $29
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.96
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Hongcun $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$40
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.85
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Kratong Lessons$3.09
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Pedicure$4.63
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.56
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- 3 Hour Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $14
- Chiangmai: Temple Walking Tour with ex-monk, part 1.: $14
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples 3 hour Twilight Walking Tour : $14
- Old Town History and Culture Walking Tour at Chiang Mai: $15
- Historical and Culture Exploration Walking Tour: $15
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hrs: $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Chiangmai: Temple Walking Tour with ex-monk, part II: $15
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $16
- Chiang Mai Old City Twilight Walking Tour: $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.65Hongcun $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$3.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Nightlife in Town!: $11
When comparing the travel costs between Chiang Mai and Hongcun, we can see that Hongcun 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 Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai or Hongcun?
Hongcun has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hongcun in the Summer?
Both Hongcun and Chiang Mai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Chiang Mai is generally around the same temperature as Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in July than Hongcun. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hongcun in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
Chiang Mai is much warmer than Hongcun in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hongcun in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Hongcun. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. In the winter, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Hongcun averages at about 4°C (40°F).
Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Hongcun. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hongcun in the Spring?
Both Hongcun and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.