Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Mandalay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mandalay or Zhangjiajie?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Zhangjiajie, 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: Mandalay or Zhangjiajie?
Mandalay
Located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on the banks of the Irawaddy River, Mandalay is the nation's second largest city behind Yangon. It is centered on the restored Royal Palace and has a large population of Buddhist monks who frequent the city's many temples and monasteries.
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 Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesZhangjiajie Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Zhangjiajie $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $83. 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 Mandalay and Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Zhangjiajie $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Zhangjiajie $64
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay 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.Mandalay -Zhangjiajie $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- 2 Days in Mandalay Region, 3 Night in Monywa and 4 Days to transfer Bagan: $260
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $180
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $180
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Airport Transfer, Paleik Snake Pagoda, a little bit of Bagan and to AVA: $50
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Entrance Tickets to Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge with Private Car Transfer From Zhangjiajie city hotel (Round Trip ): $127
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $321
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie to/from Fenghuang: $149
- Tianmen Mountain Day Tour with Luggage Storage&Flexible Transfer: $180
- Zhangjiajie Forest Park 4 Day Pass and All You Can Ride Transfers: $98
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
- Glass Bridge & Canyon ticket with the transfer: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie and Mandalay 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 dayMandalay $10Zhangjiajie $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mandalay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mandalay.
- Myanmar traditional cooking class with local: $26
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Zhangjiajie $24
Tours and Activities in Mandalay
Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayah Villages Full Day Tour (Pan Pet & Hta Nee La): $260
- 1-night in Pyin Oo Lwin next day to Gokteik tour: $226
- 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Amarapura,Mingun,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $110
- Amarapura,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $95
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing: $75
- Ancient City Tour in Mandalay: $70
- Around Mandalay Tour in 2 Days: $100
- Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $130
- Full Day Adventure: $153
- Full Day Mandalay Tour: $130
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Avatar Mountains and Glass Bridge Zhangjiajie 2 Day Tour: $5.99
- Zhangjiajie 72 Odd Towers Ticket Booking: $9.00
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Tickets: $13
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Entrance Ticket: $16
- National Forest Park Entry Ticket and More: $19
- Zhangjiajie Baofeng Lake Ticket: $22
- Zhangjiajie Yellow Dragon Cave Tickets: $22
- Baofeng Lake Tickets: $23
- Zhangjiajie Private Helicopter Tour to Explore Real Avatar World: $25
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Ticket Booking: $34
- Double-Night Private Tour: Tianmen Mountain & 72 Odd Towers: $35
- Ticket to Glass Bridge Experience in Zhangjiajie China: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Zhangjiajie $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Zhangjiajie is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mandalay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandalay 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 Mandalay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandalay Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Zhangjiajie?
Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Zhangjiajie, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.