Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Hangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hangzhou or Zhangjiajie?
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 Zhangjiajie. 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 Zhangjiajie?
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.
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 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 $65Zhangjiajie $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $65, 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 Hangzhou and Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHangzhou $23Zhangjiajie $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHangzhou $46Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou 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.
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 $8.13Zhangjiajie $14
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 Botique Tour: Essential Hangzhou Sightseeing with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $207
- Hangzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $173
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $165
- Private Transfer to Putuo Mountain from Hangzhou: $165
- 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 Suzhou City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
- Private Transfer to Yiwu City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
- Private Transfer between Hangzhou City Center and Qiandao Lake : $121
- Private Transfer to Suzhou City from Hangzhou: $113
- Private Transfer to Hengdian World Studios from Hangzhou: $113
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie 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 $18Zhangjiajie $20
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hangzhou $20Zhangjiajie $23
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hangzhou Private Day Tour of West Lake, Lingyin Temple and Tea Village: $199
- 1-day Village Tea Picking, Roasting & Serving Guided Private Tour from Hangzhou : $244
- 2-Day Huangshan Mountain Sunset Climb & Sunrise Camp Guided Tour from Hangzhou : $162
- 4-Hour Hangzhou City Private Customized Tour with Options: $112
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Summit and Former Residence of Xueyan Hu Private Tour: $141
- All-inclusive Customized Hangzhou Layover Tour: $190
- Amazing Landmarks Hangzhou Private Day Tour: $225
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Best of A Comprehensive Tour of the City's Top Sights: $153
- China Academy of Art Architecture & Longjing Tea Plantation Private Tour: $212
- Cirque Du Soleil Ticket : $120
- Classic Hangzhou Two-Day Tour Plus Tea Plantation Exploration: $256
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
- Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain With the Skywalk: $121
- Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain: $122
- Join-in Tour: Day Tour to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge : $125
- 1-day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tour: $132
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge and Baofeng Lake Private Day Tour: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHangzhou $10Zhangjiajie $16
When comparing the travel costs between Hangzhou and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hangzhou or Zhangjiajie?
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
Both Zhangjiajie and Hangzhou during the summer are popular places to visit.
Hangzhou is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie in the summer. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 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 Hangzhou. Hangzhou usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Zhangjiajie. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHangzhou 29°C (85°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Zhangjiajie.
In the autumn, Hangzhou is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hangzhou in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 19°C (65°F).
In October, Hangzhou usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zhangjiajie. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHangzhou 19°C (66°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Zhangjiajie.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hangzhou. In January, Hangzhou is generally around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 5°C (41°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Hangzhou usually gets more rain in January than Zhangjiajie. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHangzhou 5°C (41°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
Both Zhangjiajie and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Hangzhou is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie in the spring. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. It's quite rainy in Hangzhou. In April, Hangzhou usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHangzhou 16°C (61°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Hangzhou
| Hangzhou | Zhangjiajie | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.