Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Hangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hangzhou or Benxi?
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 Hangzhou and Benxi. 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: Hangzhou or Benxi?
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.
Benxi
Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHangzhou $65Benxi $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $65, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $95. 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 Hangzhou and Benxi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHangzhou $23Benxi $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHangzhou $46Benxi $94
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Benxi
Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou or Benxi? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hangzhou $8.13Benxi $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
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Local Bus for Two$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- Private Transfer between Hangzhou Songcheng Park and City Area: $23
- Private Transfer to Impression West Lake show in Hangzhou: $27
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: City Hotels to Railway Station: $28
- [Airport Transfer] Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport ⇔ Hangzhou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou East Railway Station Transfer To Hangzhou Downtown City: $32
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotels: $33
- Hangzhou Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $34
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer from Railway Station: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Benxi?
Prices for flights to both Benxi and Hangzhou 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 dayHangzhou $18Benxi $30
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
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Breakfast Pastries$2.35
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Pizza Hut Lunch$11
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
- VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Tour with Authentic Dinner: $127
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Wuzhen Ancient Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner Option: $185
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Authentic Dinner: $191
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hangzhou $20Benxi $7.31
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hangzhou Lingyin Temple Tour : $28
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea Plantation Culture Experience Tour: $53
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
- Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $69
- Half-Day Hangzhou Tianzhu Buddhist Mountain Hiking Tour with Green Tea Village : $89
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Ticket with Private Transport: $89
- Independent Tour to Shaoxing City from Hangzhou: $94
- Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Hefang Heritage Street : $95
- Hangzhou Impressoin West Lake- Enduring Memory of Hangzhou Show Tour: $100
- Songcheng Park & Lengend of Song Dynasty Show Ticket: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHangzhou $10Benxi $7.70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Benxi, we can see that Benxi is more expensive. And not only is Hangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hangzhou 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 Benxi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Benxi than you might in Hangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hangzhou Expensive? and Is Benxi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hangzhou or Benxi?
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Benxi. When comparing the sizes of Hangzhou and Benxi, 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 Hangzhou or Benxi?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hangzhou or Benxi in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Benxi.
Hangzhou is a little warmer than Benxi in the summer. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Benxi fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
Benxi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hangzhou usually receives less rain than Benxi. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHangzhou 29°C (85°F)Benxi 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Benxi in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Benxi.
In the autumn, Hangzhou is much warmer than Benxi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hangzhou in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Benxi averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Hangzhou usually gets more rain in October than Benxi. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHangzhou 19°C (66°F)Benxi 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Benxi in the Winter?
Both Benxi and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Benxi. It's quite cold in Hangzhou in the winter. In January, Hangzhou is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 5°C (41°F), and Benxi fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In January, Hangzhou usually receives more rain than Benxi. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHangzhou 5°C (41°F)Benxi -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Benxi in the Spring?
Both Benxi and Hangzhou during the spring are popular places to visit.
Hangzhou is much warmer than Benxi in the spring. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hangzhou. Hangzhou usually gets more rain in April than Benxi. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHangzhou 16°C (61°F)Benxi 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Benxi and Hangzhou
| Hangzhou | Benxi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.