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

Should you visit Hongcun or Katoomba?

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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba

Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.

The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Katoomba?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?

Both Katoomba and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Katoomba for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hongcun is a little warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hongcun in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Katoomba averages at about 24°C (74°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In July, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Katoombain January. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hongcun or Katoomba in the Autumn?

Both Katoomba and Hongcun during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Katoomba in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Hongcun is generally around the same temperature as Katoombain April. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 19°C (65°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Hongcun usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Katoombain April. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hongcun or Katoomba in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Katoomba. Furthermore, most visitors come to Katoomba for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hongcun can get quite cold in the winter. Hongcun is much colder than Katoomba in the winter. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in July.

In January, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Katoombain July. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hongcun or Katoomba in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Katoomba. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Hongcun is around the same temperature as Katoomba. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hongcun in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Katoombain October. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Hongcun