Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Luang Prabang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Luang Prabang or Hongcun?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Hongcun, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Luang Prabang or Hongcun?
Luang Prabang
Southeast Asia is a region full of mystical wonders and cultural charm, but nowhere is as charming as the city of Luang Prabang. As the former capital of Laos, Luang Prabang was reopened to tourism in 1989. With that move the city experienced an upswing in revenue and was able to restore and rebuild the beautiful colonial mansions to serve as guesthouses and hotels for the new swarm of tourists.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $14Hongcun $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $14, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $52. 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 Luang Prabang and Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.72Hongcun $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Hongcun? 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: Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.11Hongcun $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$2.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
- Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun and Luang Prabang 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 dayLuang Prabang $5.47Hongcun $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luang Prabang
For Luang Prabang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
- Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $50
- Luang Prabang Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $51
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
- Laos Cooking Class in Luang Prabang: $55
- Cooking Class: $55
- Luang Prabang Evening food tour by Tuktuk: $56
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $57
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk : $58
- Full Day bamboo experience with cooking class & Kuang si waterfalls: $59
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two$4.83
-
Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.72Hongcun $17
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $32
- Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
- Luang Prabang Mountain Bike Cycling Tour: $39
- Guided Meditation Experience in Luang Prabang: $40
- Luang Prabang Foodie Walking Tour and Monk Blessing: $40
- Morning local food Market experience option waterfall tour: $40
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls: $42
- Kayak Tour to Pak Ou Caves: $43
- Sunset Cruise in Luang Prabang with Live Performance: $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
-
Two Entrance Tickets$29
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.82Hongcun $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Hongcun, we can see that Hongcun is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Luang Prabang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luang Prabang 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 Hongcun would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hongcun than you might in Luang Prabang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luang Prabang Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang or Hongcun?
Hongcun has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luang Prabang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Hongcun in the Summer?
Both Hongcun and Luang Prabang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Luang Prabang is generally around the same temperature as Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in July than Hongcun. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Hongcun in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Hongcun in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Hongcun in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Hongcun. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Hongcun can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luang Prabang in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Hongcun averages at about 4°C (40°F).
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Hongcun. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Hongcun in the Spring?
Both Hongcun and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
In April, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 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.