A Travel Price Comparison for China Hangzhou vs. Datong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hangzhou or Datong?

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 Datong. 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 Datong?

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.

Datong

If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Datong or Hangzhou?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $65, while the average daily cost in Datong is $55. 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 Datong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hangzhou $23
    Datong $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hangzhou $46
    Datong $46
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Datong

Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou or Datong? 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 Hangzhou


Hotels in Datong


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.
    Hangzhou $8.08
    Datong $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:


  • Local Bus for Two
    $0.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:

  • Water Town and West Lake Sightseeing with Hangzhou Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $217
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Xitang Water Town: $177
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $165
  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport To Shanghai City one way private transfer: $140
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with Drop-off Options : $131
  • Private Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport from Hangzhou: $129
  • Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $128
  • Private Transfer to Qiandao Lake from Hangzhou: $125
  • Private Transfer to Suzhou City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
  • Private Transfer to Yiwu City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
  • Hangzhou West Lake Impression Ticket with Private Transfer: $122
  • Private Transfer between Hangzhou City Center and Qiandao Lake : $121

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong

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

  • Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12
  • Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
  • Flexible Private Transfer Service from Datong to Pingyao with Sightseeing Stops: $225
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Hanging Temple and Hengshan from Datong: $118
  • Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
  • Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Datong?

Prices for flights to both Datong 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hangzhou $18
    Datong $20
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:


  • Breakfast Pastries
    $2.34
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen Water Town with Lunch or Dinner: $213

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hangzhou $20
    Datong $25

Tours and Activities in Hangzhou

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

  • West Lake Private Tour with Boat Ride and Enduring Memories Night Show VIP Seat: $242
  • 2-Day Huangshan Mountain Sunset Climb & Sunrise Camp Guided Tour from Hangzhou : $162
  • 2-Hour Private Tea plantation tour in Hangzhou China: $125
  • 3 days tour Shanghai Huangshan & Hangzhou by bullet trains: $830
  • 4-Hour Hangzhou City Private Customized Tour with Options: $112
  • 4-Hour Hangzhou Summit and Former Residence of Xueyan Hu Private Tour: $141
  • A Depth-Tour to Explore Xixi Wetland Park including Fishing experience: $205
  • All Inclusive Tour of Lingyin Temple and Pagoda of Six Harmonies: $199
  • All-inclusive Customized Hangzhou Layover Tour: $190
  • All-inclusive Customized Hangzhou Private Day Tour: $216
  • Amazing Landmarks Hangzhou Private Day Tour: $225
  • Authentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53

Tours and Activities in Datong

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

  • Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $22
  • Datong Private Self-guided Tour with Chartered Car: $26
  • 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
  • Private Datong Day Tour Arranged by Local Tour Guide Nancy: $129
  • Datong Classic Day Tour: $135
  • Private city tour Datong Yungang grottoes and Huayan Monastery: $160
  • Private day tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple& lunch: $180
  • Private Tour: Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery From Datong: $186
  • Datong Private Day Tour to Deshengbu and Zhenchuankou Great Wall with Lunch: $190
  • Datong Day Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple: $203
  • One Day Classic Datong Tour: $215
  • 1-Day Private Tour: Datong Highlights with the Lunch: $215

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hangzhou $10
    Datong $12


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

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


Which is Bigger, Hangzhou or Datong?

Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Datong. When comparing the sizes of Hangzhou and Datong, 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.