Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hongcun or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Beijing can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hongcun or Beijing?
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHongcun $52Beijing $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $52, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $77. 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 Hongcun and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Beijing $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Beijing? 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.Hongcun $12Beijing $7.65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.72
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Train from Airport for Two$6.91
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Taxi to Hotel$8.29
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2 Metro Passes$2.21
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Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Juyongguan Great Wall Entrance Ticket with Guide&Transfer Service: $11
- Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
- From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $17
- Beijing Airport Transfer: $21
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beijing Train Stations: $22
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Train Stations to Hotel: $22
- Beijing Railway Station Departure Transfer: Hotel/Apartment to Railway Station: $23
- Private Airport Pick Up or Drop Off Transfer: $26
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX) to Hotel: $27
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX): $27
- Private One Way Transfer Services from Train Stations in Beijing to Your Hotels : $27
- Private One Way Transfer Service from Your Hotels to Train Stations in Beijing: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Hongcun 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 dayHongcun $19Beijing $21
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.84
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.83
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Hot Pot Dinner$6.91
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.76
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Watermelon$1.94
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
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Two Popsicles$0.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
- 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
- Mogolian Hot Pot Dinner with no limit soft drink and local beer .: $70
- discovery more Beijing back street evening food tour with locals : $79
- Authentic Lunch or Dinner Tour in Beijing's Best Hidden Spots: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hongcun $17Beijing $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.29
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Two Opera Tickets$59
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.68
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Small Group Temple of Heaven Walking Tour: $5.00
- Small Group Summer Palace Walking Tour: $5.00
- Small Group Hutongs Walking Tour : $5.00
- Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Beijing Lama Temple Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $7.00
- Temple of Heaven Ticket Booking: $7.90
- Temple of Heaven Ticket: $7.90
- Confucius Temple and Imperial College Entrance Ticket : $8.00
- Beijing Temple of Heaven Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $8.00
- Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $8.00
- Summer Palace/Heaven Temple Private In-Depth Tour or Tickets Only: $8.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHongcun $14Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $99
- Private Tour-Bejing Old Hutong Food Tasting+Local Brewery Beer: $110
- Full Day Private Chateau Changyu Wine Tour from Beijing: $162
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing than you might in Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hongcun Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Beijing?
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 Hongcun or Beijing in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Beijing. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.
Hongcun is around the same temperature as Beijing in the summer. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hongcun usually receives around the same amount of rain as Beijing. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHongcun 29°C (85°F)Beijing 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Beijing in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Beijing. Also, many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Hongcun is a little warmer than Beijing. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hongcun in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (56°F).
Hongcun usually gets more rain in October than Beijing. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHongcun 19°C (65°F)Beijing 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Beijing in the Winter?
Both Beijing and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. In January, Hongcun is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 4°C (40°F), and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).
In January, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Beijing. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHongcun 4°C (40°F)Beijing -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Beijing in the Spring?
Both Beijing and Hongcun during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Hongcun is a little warmer than Beijing in the spring. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Beijing. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHongcun 17°C (62°F)Beijing 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Beijing and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Beijing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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.