Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hongcun or Zhangjiajie?
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 Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie?
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.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
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 $52Zhangjiajie $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $52, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $63. 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 Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Zhangjiajie $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Zhangjiajie? 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 $12Zhangjiajie $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie 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 $19Zhangjiajie $20
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 Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hongcun $17Zhangjiajie $23
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 Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Virtual Guided Tour: Visit China's Landscapes with Hollywood Movies: $16
- Baofeng Lake Admission Ticket in Zhangjiajie (with Boat Ride): $37
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Ticket: $57
- Tianmen Mountain day tour: $96
- Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) National Forest Park: $115
- Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain With the Skywalk: $121
- Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain: $122
- Join-in Tour: Day Tour to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge : $125
- 1-day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tour: $132
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge and Baofeng Lake Private Day Tour: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHongcun $14Zhangjiajie $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Zhangjiajie?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hongcun or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Zhangjiajie.
In July, Hongcun is generally around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 29°C (85°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hongcun usually gets more rain in July than Zhangjiajie. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHongcun 29°C (85°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
Both Zhangjiajie and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Hongcun is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
In October, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHongcun 19°C (65°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
Both Zhangjiajie and Hongcun during the winter are popular places to visit.
Hongcun can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hongcun is cooler than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hongcun in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 5°C (42°F).
Hongcun usually gets less rain in January than Zhangjiajie. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHongcun 4°C (40°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Zhangjiajie.
In April, Hongcun is generally around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 17°C (62°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hongcun usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zhangjiajie. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHongcun 17°C (62°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Zhangjiajie | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.