Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hongcun or Rotorua?
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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua?
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.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHongcun $52Rotorua $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $52, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $93. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Rotorua? 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.
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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hongcun $12Rotorua $5.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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
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Food Meals for one dayHongcun $19Rotorua $29
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.83
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $92
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hongcun $17Rotorua $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio: $21
- Mountain Jade Highlights Tour: $21
- Government Gardens Walking Tour: $23
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $27
- Geothermal Adults Only Mineral Bathing - Pavilion Pools Bathing Ticket: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $27
- Agrodome Farm Tour with Show and Produce Tasting: $29
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $30
- The National Kiwi Hatchery Tour: $35
- National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Tour: $37
- Velocity Valley Ticket: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHongcun $14Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua 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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Rotorua?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?
Both Rotorua and Hongcun during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
Hongcun is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. Hongcun usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHongcun 29°C (85°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Rotorua. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Hongcun is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hongcun in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.
In October, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHongcun 19°C (65°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Rotorua in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Rotorua. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. In January, Hongcun is generally much colder than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 4°C (40°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Hongcun usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHongcun 4°C (40°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the natural beauty during these months.
Hongcun is cooler than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In April, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHongcun 17°C (62°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.