Which place is cheaper, Zhengzhou or Mount Kailash?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mount Kailash or Zhengzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Zhengzhou? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Mount Kailash or Zhengzhou?
Mount Kailash
The main point of entry to Mount Kailash is a small village called Darchen. Once an important sheep station for nomads and their flocks, the village has now grown to provide for the pilgrims wishing to embark towards Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. It contains a number of guest houses and restaurants as well as a hotel where pilgrims must get permission from the Public Security Bureau to make the trek around the mountain. Also in the village are a handful of small stores and kiosks, as well as some grounds for camping. It is about 330 km (a one-day bus drive) from the town of Shiquanhe to the northeast, where Gunsa Airport is located, offering flights twice a week to Lhasa and Chengdu.
Zhengzhou
Along the Yellow River, a city from the future and the past resides. Ancient pagodas, futuristic domes, verdant gardens - Zhengzhou is a myriad of many worlds in one urban area. The provincial capital of the Henan Province, Zhengzhou is the encapsulation of a perfect city from its delicate balance of the natural and urban spheres. It was born during the Sui Dynasty, and its actual location was in the modern-day Chenggao. Moreover, Zhengzhou works as the political, economic, technological, and educational center of the province. The city is also one of the eight great ancient capitals of China, with a collection of architecture and art originating during iconic dynasties. These relics of the old world include the Shaolin Monastery, Henan Museum, the Pagoda Forest, the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory, the Songyue Pagoda, the Emperors of Yan and Huang, and the scenic views of the Yellow River. With over nine million inhabitants, Zhengzhou continues to grow at a thriving rate. It also should be noted that in June 2012, Greater Zhengzhou was named one of the thirteen emerging megacities in China according to the Economist Intelligent Unit. Known internationally for its amazing culmination of culture and history, Zhengzhou is the ideal city for travelers and inhabitants alike.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $71Zhengzhou $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $71, while the average daily cost in Zhengzhou is $98. 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 Mount Kailash and Zhengzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $27Zhengzhou $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $54Zhengzhou $72
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Zhengzhou
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Zhengzhou? 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.Mount Kailash $31Zhengzhou $63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhengzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhengzhou:
- One-Way Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng: $70
- One-Way Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Luoyang: $80
- Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Luoyang Longmen Grottoes : $95
- Private Transfer to Guoliang Village and Tunnel from Zhengzhou: $160
- Private Transfer to Shaolin Temple or Dengfeng from Zhengzhou Train station: $132
- Private transfer to Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou: $108
- Zhengzhou Airport Transfer( Hotel to Airport): $59
- Zhengzhou Special Car Service, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $27
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer , Zhengzhou Airport Transfer : $53
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer , Zhengzhou Airport Transfer : $65
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $27
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $31
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Zhengzhou?
Prices for flights to both Zhengzhou and Mount Kailash 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 dayMount Kailash $24Zhengzhou $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhengzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zhengzhou.
- Zhengzhou Erqi Square and Night Markets Private Tour including Dinner: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $16Zhengzhou $8.20
Tours and Activities in Zhengzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Zhengzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kaifeng City Highlights Independant Tour from Zhengzhou: $80
- Private Independent Tour to Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou: $126
- Private Independent Tour to Guoliangcun from Zhengzhou: $158
- Private Independent Tour to Yuntai Mountain from Zhengzhou: $169
- Independent Tour to Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $188
- Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou with Flexiable Departure Time: $198
- All inclusive Anyang Yin Xu ruins and Character Museum day tour from Zhengzhou: $209
- Zhengzhou Yellow River Scenic Spots Private Tour : $209
- Private Day Tour to Luoyang Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $210
- Zhengzhou Private Half-Day Tour: Shaolin Temple & Kungfu Show: $222
- Private Tour to Zhongyue Temple and Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou: $233
- Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple and Songyang Academy from Zhengzhou: $233
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.77Zhengzhou $6.32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Zhengzhou, we can see that Zhengzhou is more expensive. And not only is Mount Kailash much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Kailash would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Kailash 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 Zhengzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zhengzhou than you might in Mount Kailash.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mount Kailash Expensive? and Is Zhengzhou Expensive?.
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.