A Travel Price Comparison for China Guangzhou vs. Zhangjiajie for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guangzhou or Zhangjiajie?

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 Guangzhou and Zhangjiajie can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Zhangjiajie?

Guangzhou

With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Guangzhou?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $89, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $63. 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 Guangzhou and Zhangjiajie in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guangzhou $58
    Zhangjiajie $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guangzhou $116
    Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Zhangjiajie

Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou 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.

Hotels in Guangzhou


Hotels in Zhangjiajie


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.
    Guangzhou $14
    Zhangjiajie $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:

  • Private Day Tour to Zhuhai from Guangzhou by Private Transfer: $230
  • Private Round-Trip Airport Transfers in English-speaking Services: $197
  • Guangzhou Layover Visa-Free Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $190
  • Pearl River Night Cruise with Private Transfers in Guangzhou: $129
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Dongguan Transfer: $120
  • Private Airport Transfer Guangzhou Airport to Hotel up to 5pax: $120
  • Private Departure Transfer in English-speaking: Hotel to Airport: $99
  • Fast Train Ticket from Guangzhou to Hong Kong with Station Transfer in Guanghou: $95
  • Guangzhou Airport Transfer by 6 seat mpv: $74
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , To Guangzhou Transfer,Pickup: $71
  • Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $70
  • Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou with Private Transfer: $69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie

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

  • Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $63
  • Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
  • Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie to/from Fenghuang : $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Zhangjiajie?

Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie and Guangzhou 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
    Guangzhou $19
    Zhangjiajie $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou

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

  • Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood: $65
  • 3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit : $165
  • Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $170
  • Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
  • Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
  • Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
  • Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
  • Private Cooking Canton Cuisine Cooking Class in Guangzhou : $266

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guangzhou $18
    Zhangjiajie $23

Tours and Activities in Guangzhou

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

  • Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
  • Liuxihe National Forest Park Private Day Tour from Guangzhou: $266
  • 1 Day Guangzhou City Highlight Layover Tour from Airport: $276
  • 3-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King Tomb in Guangzhou: $91
  • 4 Hours Half Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private Tour: $175
  • 4-Hour Guangzhou Walking Tour in Xiguan Area: $89
  • 4-Hour Private Flexible Guangzhou City Tour with Dim-Sum Option: $95
  • 4-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King & Academy of Clan Chen in Guangzhou: $91
  • 7 Day Private Tour in Guangzhou: $150
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Lotus Hill and Shawan Old Town from Guangzhou: $229
  • All-inclusive Guangzhou Historic City Private Day Tour: $192
  • Ancient Foshan Day Tour from Guangzhou: $201

Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.

  • Virtual Guided Tour: Visit China's Landscapes with Hollywood Movies: $16
  • Baofeng Lake Admission Ticket in Zhangjiajie (with Boat Ride): $37
  • Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Ticket: $57
  • Tianmen Mountain day tour: $96
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) National Forest Park: $115
  • Join-in Tour: Day Tour to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge : $125
  • 1-day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tour: $132
  • 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
  • 1-day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour with Tianmen Cave: $137
  • 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
  • Private Day Tour of Baofeng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave: $140
  • 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guangzhou $14
    Zhangjiajie $16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guangzhou and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Zhangjiajie?

Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou or Zhangjiajie?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Guangzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?

Both Zhangjiajie and Guangzhou during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Guangzhou is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guangzhou in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 29°C (85°F).

Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guangzhou. Guangzhou usually gets more rain in July than Zhangjiajie. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Guangzhou 29°C (84°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Guangzhou and Zhangjiajie.

In October, Guangzhou is generally a little warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 25°C (76°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In October, Guangzhou usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Guangzhou 25°C (76°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Guangzhou as well as Zhangjiajie.

Guangzhou is much warmer than Zhangjiajie in the winter. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Guangzhou usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Zhangjiajie. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Guangzhou 14°C (58°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?

Both Zhangjiajie and Guangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Guangzhou is a little warmer than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guangzhou in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. It's quite rainy in Guangzhou. In April, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Guangzhou 22°C (72°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)

Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Guangzhou

Guangzhou Zhangjiajie
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (58°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (42°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Mar 18°C (65°F) 85 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 22°C (72°F) 182 mm (7.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 284 mm (11.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 199 mm (7.8 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 228 mm (9 in) 29°C (85°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 221 mm (8.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 25°C (76°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 90 mm (3.6 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)