A Travel Price Comparison for China Hongcun vs. Benxi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hongcun or Benxi?

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 Benxi 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 Benxi?

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.

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 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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Benxi, we can see that Benxi 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 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 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 Benxi Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Hongcun 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 Hongcun or Benxi in the Summer?

Both Benxi and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In July, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 29°C (85°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Benxi. It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In July, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Benxi. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hongcun or Benxi in the Autumn?

Both Benxi and Hongcun during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Hongcun is much warmer than Benxi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Hongcun usually gets more rain in October than Benxi. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hongcun or Benxi in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Benxi.

Benxi can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. In the winter, Hongcun is much warmer than Benxi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hongcun in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Benxi averages at about -10°C (14°F).

In January, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Benxi. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hongcun or Benxi in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Benxi.

In April, Hongcun is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 17°C (62°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Benxi. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Benxi and Hongcun