Which place is cheaper, Zhangye or Chiang Rai?
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 Chiang Rai or Zhangye?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Zhangye, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Chiang Rai or Zhangye?
Chiang Rai
If you find yourself dreaming of a vacation in Northern Thailand, consider the metropolitan city of Chiang Rai. This centrally located capital of the Chiang Rai province provides an excellent home base for exploring the surrounding areas. While it serves well as a home base, it has its own charms worth wandering.
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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Chiang Rai Prices
Thailand PricesZhangye Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $53Zhangye $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $53, while the average daily cost in Zhangye is $105. 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 Rai and Zhangye in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $20Zhangye $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $40Zhangye $78
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Zhangye
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai 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.
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 Rai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.67Zhangye $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Rai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Chiang Rai:
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Bus to White Temple$1.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $23
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $25
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $71
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 Chiang Rai or Zhangye?
Prices for flights to both Zhangye and Chiang Rai 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 Rai $22Zhangye $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Private Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $38
- Full Day Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour in Chiang Rai: $57
- From Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure Group Trekking Bamboo Cooking: $57
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $57
- One Day Trekking Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure and Bamboo Cooking: $57
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $57
- Lanna Home Cooking Class at Give Green Farm House: $57
- Chiang Rai Night Adventure: Dinner, Cultural Show & Trishaw Ride: $121
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $147
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.50Zhangye $11
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Half Day Join Tour Chiang Rai Pick Up Only In Chiang Rai: $27
- White Temple, Blue and Red Temple Tour from Chiang Rai: $35
- Chiang Rai to Golden Triangle One Day Join Tour: $38
- Chiang Rai Join Day Tour: $43
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $43
- From 7 wonder Full-Day Tour and Thai Buffet lunch: $43
- One Day Group Tour Experience in Chiangrai: $43
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $44
- Half Day Cycling Tour to the White temple: $47
- Guided Full-Day Highlights tour with Lunch: $48
- Chiang Rai:Guided Highlights Full-Day Tour-FREE LUNCH BUFFET: $48
- Chiang Rai 7 Incredible Highlights Tour Lunch Included: $57
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
- From 6-Day Private Photography Tour to Dunhuang: $1,099
- 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
- Danxia Geopark & Giant Buddha Private Day Tour: $246
- Mati Temple Grottoes & Giant Buddha Temple Tour: $257
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.39Zhangye $7.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Zhangye, we can see that Zhangye is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Rai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Rai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Rai 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 Chiang Rai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Rai Expensive? and Is Zhangye Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Zhangye?
Zhangye has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai 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.
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.