A Travel Price Comparison for China Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) vs. Zhangjiajie for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Zhangjiajie?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Zhangjiajie. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Zhangjiajie?

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

In the heart of the Anhui Province of China is the stunning Mount Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site draws in visitors from around the world to take in the stunning views and conquer a new challenge.

Mount Huangshan is one of the most popular destinations in China. Because of this, most of the towns and regions around it also use the name Huangshan. Even the closest town, Tunxi, has begun going by Huangshan City. Keep this in mind as it could potentially cause some confusion in transit.

The whole of Huangshan has 36 separate peaks rising approximately 1,800 meters into the air. It is often covered in a spiritual-feeling mist that makes the peaks appear to live in the clouds. It has inspired artists for centuries, and is often thought to be the model for the typical mountain ranges seen in ancient Chinese paintings.

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 The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.


Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is $57, 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Zhangjiajie in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $25
    Zhangjiajie $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $50
    Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Zhangjiajie

Looking for a hotel in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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.

Hotels in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)


Hotels in Zhangjiajie


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $10
    Zhangjiajie $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain):


  • Shuttle Bus to Tangkou for Two
    $3.59

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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Zhangjiajie?

Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $19
    Zhangjiajie $20

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27
    Zhangjiajie $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are as follows:


  • Two Entrance Tickets
    $64
  • Two Cable Car Passes
    $22

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $15
    Zhangjiajie $16


When comparing the travel costs between Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Zhangjiajie is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) as well as Zhangjiajie.

In July, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is generally around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) average around 29°C (85°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives a lot of rain in the summer. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets more rain in July than Zhangjiajie. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 29°C (85°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?

Both Zhangjiajie and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie in the autumn. The daily temperature in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In October, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 19°C (65°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?

Both Zhangjiajie and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) during the winter are popular places to visit.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). In the winter, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is cooler than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the winter temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 5°C (42°F).

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets less rain in January than Zhangjiajie. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 4°C (40°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Zhangjiajie.

In April, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is generally around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) average around 17°C (62°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the spring. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zhangjiajie. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 17°C (62°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)

Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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)