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

Should you visit Hefei or Zhangjiajie?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hefei or Zhangjiajie? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Hefei or Zhangjiajie?

Hefei

While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Hefei?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hefei is $62, 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 Hefei and Zhangjiajie in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hefei $28
    Zhangjiajie $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hefei $56
    Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Hefei and Zhangjiajie

Looking for a hotel in Hefei 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 Hefei


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.
    Hefei $17
    Zhangjiajie $14

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 Hefei or Zhangjiajie?

Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie and Hefei 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
    Hefei $21
    Zhangjiajie $20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hefei $19
    Zhangjiajie $23

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
    Hefei $11
    Zhangjiajie $16


When comparing the travel costs between Hefei and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Zhangjiajie 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 Hefei Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hefei or Zhangjiajie?

Hefei has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Hefei 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 Hefei 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 Hefei or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?

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

Hefei is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie in the summer. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 29°C (83°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 Hefei. Hefei usually gets more rain in July than Zhangjiajie. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hefei 29°C (83°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Hefei or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Hefei is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hefei in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 19°C (65°F).

In October, Hefei usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hefei 18°C (64°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Hefei or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Hefei in the winter. In January, Hefei is generally much colder than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 3°C (38°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Hefei usually gets less rain in January than Zhangjiajie. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hefei 3°C (38°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Hefei or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?

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

Hefei is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie in the spring. The daily temperature in Hefei 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. In April, Hefei usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hefei 16°C (61°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)

Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Hefei

Hefei Zhangjiajie
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 5°C (42°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Mar 10°C (50°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
May 22°C (71°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Jun 25°C (78°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 199 mm (7.8 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 29°C (85°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (65°F) 90 mm (3.6 in)
Nov 11°C (53°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 25 mm (1 in) 7°C (45°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)