A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hongcun vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hongcun or Khao Sok National Park?

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 Khao Sok National Park 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 Khao Sok National Park?

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.

Khao Sok National Park

In the south of Thailand, visitors will find a gorgeous getaway of pure nature. The Khao Sok National Park is a jungle reserve that covers over 700 square kilometers, and described as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in the country.

Many say this jungle is over 160 million years old making it one of the world's oldest rainforests. The lush environment of limestone, waterfalls and thickets of vegetation will make any wanderer eager to discover more. Keep your eyes peeled for bears, boars, gaurs, tapirs, gibbons, deer, marbled cats, wild elephants and more. Look to the sky for over 300 species of bird and 38 different types of bats.

You'll find the best time to book is from December to April, better known as the dry season. From June to October there is significantly more rain and the threat of monsoons. Not only does it rain on your parade, but also it causes the leeches to emerge.

To enter the park is a 300 baht fee for foreigners, 150 for children, and 40 for Thai citizens. If someone tries to sell you a ticket for more than that, simply buy one at the park entrance. When planning your stay remember that your entrance fee is only valid for 24 hours. If you're staying multiple days, you'll need to pay up front. Often if you're with a tour, the entrance fee is included in the tour price, but you should inquire about this to make sure.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.

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

When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Khao Sok National Park?

Hongcun has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Sok National Park experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hongcun or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Hongcun is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In July, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hongcun or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Hongcun during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

In the autumn, Hongcun is cooler than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hongcun in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hongcun usually gets less rain in October than Khao Sok National Park. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hongcun or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Hongcun can be very cold during winter. In January, Hongcun is generally much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 4°C (40°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In January, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hongcun or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Khao Sok National Park. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

Hongcun is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Khao Sok National Park. Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Khao Sok National Park. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Hongcun