Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hongcun or Suzhou?
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 Suzhou 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 Suzhou?
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.
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHongcun $52Suzhou $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $52, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $102. 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 Suzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Suzhou $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Suzhou $76
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Suzhou
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Suzhou? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hongcun $12Suzhou $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:
- Suzhou Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Railway Station: $25
- Suzhou Private Arrival Transfer:Railway Station to City Hotel: $27
- Nanjing Downtown hotels to Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private Arrival Transfer: Suzhou Train Station to Hotels in Suzhou: $44
- Private Departure Transfer to Suzhou Train Station from City Hotel: $44
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Tianping Mountain from Suzhou: $51
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Tongli Water Town and Suzhou City : $58
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Suzhou to Luzhi Water Town: $64
- Private Departure Transfer to Shanghai Airport from Suzhou City Hotel: $68
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Tongli Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Zhouzhuang Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Suzhou?
Prices for flights to both Suzhou 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 $19Suzhou $32
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.84
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.
- Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55
- Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Lunch or Dinner Option: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hongcun $17Suzhou $9.34
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
Tours and Activities in Suzhou
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:
- Suzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service : $65
- Zhouzhuang and Tongli Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou with Drop-off Options : $70
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
- Suzhou Private English Tour Guide Service: $91
- Suzhou Private Walking Tour with Panmen Gate, City Moat and Yiyuan Garden: $101
- Wuxi Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou by Private Car : $103
- 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
- 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
- Private Suzhou City Amazing Day Tour in Your Way : $127
- Nanjing Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou by Private Car with Drop-off Option : $137
- Private Tour of Suzhou Museum, Humble Administrator's Garden and Pingjiang Road: $144
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHongcun $14Suzhou $6.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Suzhou, we can see that Suzhou 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 Suzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Suzhou 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 Suzhou Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Suzhou?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hongcun or Suzhou in the Summer?
Both Suzhou and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Hongcun is around the same temperature as Suzhou. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hongcun in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Suzhou averages at about 28°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Suzhou. It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In July, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Suzhou. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHongcun 29°C (85°F)Suzhou 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Suzhou in the Autumn?
Both Suzhou and Hongcun during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Hongcun is generally around the same temperature as Suzhou. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 19°C (65°F), and Suzhou fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Hongcun usually gets more rain in October than Suzhou. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHongcun 19°C (65°F)Suzhou 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Suzhou in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Suzhou.
Suzhou can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. Hongcun is around the same temperature as Suzhou in the winter. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Suzhou fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
In January, Hongcun usually receives around the same amount of rain as Suzhou. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHongcun 4°C (40°F)Suzhou 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Suzhou in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Suzhou.
In the spring, Hongcun is a little warmer than Suzhou. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hongcun in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Suzhou averages at about 15°C (58°F).
It's quite rainy in Suzhou. Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Suzhou. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHongcun 17°C (62°F)Suzhou 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Suzhou and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Suzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.