A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hongcun vs. Gold Coast for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hongcun or Gold Coast?

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 Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast?

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.

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Gold Coast or Hongcun?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $67, while the average daily cost in Gold Coast is $119. 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 Gold Coast in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hongcun $23
    Gold Coast $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hongcun $46
    Gold Coast $110
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Gold Coast

Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Gold Coast? 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 Gold Coast


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
    Gold Coast $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast

Also for Gold Coast, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Gold Coast Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $21
  • Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport: Shared Transfer Sydney CBD: $22
  • OOL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $42
  • Private Transfer Gold Coast Airport OOL to City Centre/Brisbane: $48
  • Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
  • Mt Tamborine Shuttle Service - Gold Coast Return Transfer: $66
  • Chill Out at Byron Bay Bus Transfer: $72
  • Gold Coast to Byron Bay scenic One Way Transfer: $81
  • Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Business Car: $108
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast by Business Car: $113

Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Gold Coast?

Prices for flights to both Gold Coast 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 $33
    Gold Coast $47
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.91
  • Breakfast of Dumplings
    $2.10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gold Coast

For Gold Coast, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Brisbane/Sunset, Dinner, Stars/Premium Telescope: $79
  • Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Show: $79
  • Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $87
  • Gold Coast Private Sunset Sailing Charter w/ dinner & drinks: $310

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hongcun $17
    Gold Coast $19
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 Gold Coast

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gold Coast.

  • Spring Brook National Park Self Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • Spring Brook National Park Driving Tour with an APP: $15
  • Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Midday River and Canal Cruise: $15
  • Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Morning River and Canal Cruise: $21
  • Surfers Paradise Sightseeing City Lights Cruise: $21
  • SkyPoint Observation Deck Ticket: $22
  • SkyPoint Observation Deck Ticket: $23
  • Surfers Paradise: Cruise, HOTA Gallery Entry, & Dining Pass: $26
  • Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise: $29
  • Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Cruise: $30
  • Surfers Paradise: IceBar Entry Ticket and Drink: $32
  • Aquaduck City Tour and River Cruise: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hongcun $14
    Gold Coast $5.23

Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gold Coast:

  • Granddad Jack's Distillery Gin Tasting & Talk: $43
  • Queensland Distillery Tour: $76
  • Craft Distillery and Brewery Tour on Gold Coast: $77
  • Sirromet Wine Tasting and Blending Workshop for 2: $84
  • Wine, Distillery & Rainforest Day Tour: $151
  • Private Bespoke Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour: $161
  • Tamborine Mountain Wine Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $165
  • Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $167
  • Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch & Distillery: $198
  • Gold Coast and Craft Brewery VIP Tour from Brisbane: $959


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Gold Coast, we can see that Gold Coast is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hongcun is in Asia and Gold Coast is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Gold Coast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Gold Coast?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Gold Coast is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Hongcun has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Hongcun or Gold Coast in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Gold Coast. Also, many visitors come to Gold Coast in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hongcun is a little warmer than Gold Coast in the summer. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Gold Coast. Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hongcun usually gets more rain in July than Gold Coastin January. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Hongcun 29°C (85°F) 
    Gold Coast 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Gold Coast in the Autumn?

Both Gold Coast and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Gold Coast for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Hongcun is cooler than Gold Coast. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hongcun in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. In October, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Gold Coastin April. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Hongcun 19°C (65°F) 
    Gold Coast 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Gold Coast in the Winter?

Both Gold Coast and Hongcun during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Gold Coast because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hongcun can be very cold during winter. In January, Hongcun is generally much colder than Gold Coastin July. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 4°C (40°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Hongcun usually gets less rain in January than Gold Coastin July. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Hongcun 4°C (40°F) 
    Gold Coast 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Gold Coast in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Gold Coast. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Gold Coast this time of year.

Hongcun is cooler than Gold Coast in the spring. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.

Gold Coast receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Gold Coastin October. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Hongcun 17°C (62°F) 
    Gold Coast 21°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Hongcun

Hongcun Gold Coast
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 101 mm (4 in)
May 22°C (71°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 235 mm (9.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 121 mm (4.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 18°C (65°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 103 mm (4 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)