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

Should you visit Hongcun or Chengdu?

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 Chengdu 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 Chengdu?

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.

Chengdu

Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Hongcun?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $53, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $51. 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 Chengdu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hongcun $23
    Chengdu $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hongcun $46
    Chengdu $42
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Chengdu

Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Chengdu? 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 Hongcun


Hotels in Chengdu


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.
    Hongcun $12
    Chengdu $5.97

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:

  • Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu International Airport (CTU) to Hotel: $23
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Train Stations: $23
  • Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
  • Private Transfer Chengdu (TFU & CTU) Airport Pickup Service: $29
  • Departure Transfer from City Hotel to Chengdu Railway Station: $30
  • Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Transfer to Downtown Hotel: $32
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU) to Hotel: $34
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU): $34
  • Private Transfer from Chengdu City Hotels to Airport: $35
  • One way Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Shuangliu airport transfer : $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Chengdu?

Prices for flights to both Chengdu 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hongcun $19
    Chengdu $22
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.86
  • Breakfast of Dumplings
    $2.08

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.

  • Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $56
  • Private Sichuan Cooking Class including Local Wet Market Visit: $59
  • Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch: $62
  • Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $65
  • Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
  • Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
  • Half-Day Dandan Noodles Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $70
  • Half Day Chengdu Tofu Making Class with Mapo Tofu Cooking: $72
  • Half-Day Chengdu Farm Cooking Class & Spice Market Exploration: $75
  • Half-Day Chengdu Courtyard Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: $80
  • Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
  • Half-Day Sichuan Cooking Class Experience in Chengdu: $84

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hongcun $17
    Chengdu $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Two Entrance Tickets
    $29

Tours and Activities in Chengdu

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

  • local people's opera house experience: $10
  • Chengdu Panda Research Base Half Day Tour(Private): $16
  • Skip the Line: Best Sichuan Opera Show in Chengdu Ticket: $19
  • Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $22
  • Panda Breeding Center (Panda Base) & Taoism temple tour: $28
  • Chengdu Sichuan Opera Evening Show Ticket-Shu Feng Yan Yun : $29
  • Sichuan Opera Night show Tickets at sichuan opera Museum : $30
  • Private Half-Day Walking Tour Unveil Night Life of Chengdu: $30
  • Sichuan Opera Tickets Booking: $33
  • Private Bamboo Bicycle Tour in Chengdu: $41
  • Small Group Half Day Chengdu Panda Breeding Center Tour: $42
  • Private Chengdu Dining Experience in Chilli Cool House: $46

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hongcun $14
    Chengdu $3.96


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