A Travel Price Comparison for China Nanjing vs. Zhangjiajie for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nanjing or Zhangjiajie?

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

Should I visit Nanjing or Zhangjiajie? 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: Nanjing or Zhangjiajie?

Nanjing

Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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


Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Nanjing?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, 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 Nanjing and Zhangjiajie in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nanjing $46
    Zhangjiajie $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nanjing $92
    Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Zhangjiajie

Looking for a hotel in Nanjing 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 Nanjing


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.
    Nanjing $39
    Zhangjiajie $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:

  • Private Day Tour: Nanjing City Highlights with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $232
  • Nanjing Lukou Int Airport (NKG): Private Transfer to Nanjing: $178
  • Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfers: $163
  • Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $120
  • Nanjing Private Transfer from Nanjing central to Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG): $116
  • Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to Zhenjiang City: $110
  • Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
  • Nanjing to Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $90
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
  • Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78
  • Nanjing Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) to Nanjing hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $66
  • Nanjing Lukou Airport Chauffeur Service, Nanjing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie

Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $63
  • Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
  • Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie to/from Fenghuang : $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Zhangjiajie?

Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie and Nanjing 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
    Nanjing $28
    Zhangjiajie $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.

  • 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
  • Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
  • Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nanjing $9.33
    Zhangjiajie $23

Tours and Activities in Nanjing

Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
  • 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
  • 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
  • 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Nanjing Jiming Temple, Ming City Wall, Xuanwu Lake: $147
  • 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
  • All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
  • Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
  • Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
  • Flexible Suzhou Private Day Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train: $245
  • Flexible Yangzhou Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $212
  • Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197

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
  • Join-in Tour: Day Tour to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge : $125
  • 1-day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tour: $132
  • 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
  • 1-day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour with Tianmen Cave: $137
  • 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
  • Private Day Tour of Baofeng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave: $140
  • 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nanjing $9.53
    Zhangjiajie $16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanjing and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Nanjing is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Nanjing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nanjing than you might in Zhangjiajie.

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


Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Zhangjiajie?

Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing 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.


When is the best time to visit Nanjing 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 Nanjing or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?

Both Zhangjiajie and Nanjing during the summer are popular places to visit.

Nanjing is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie in the summer. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanjing. Nanjing usually gets more rain in July than Zhangjiajie. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nanjing 28°C (83°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Zhangjiajie.

In the autumn, Nanjing is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nanjing in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 19°C (65°F).

In October, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nanjing 17°C (63°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Zhangjiajie.

It's quite cold in Nanjing in the winter. In January, Nanjing is generally much colder than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 3°C (37°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Nanjing usually gets less rain in January than Zhangjiajie. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nanjing 3°C (37°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?

Both Zhangjiajie and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Nanjing is cooler than Zhangjiajie in the spring. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. It's quite rainy in Nanjing. In April, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nanjing 15°C (60°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)

Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Nanjing

Nanjing Zhangjiajie
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 5°C (42°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
May 21°C (69°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 199 mm (7.8 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 29°C (85°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 90 mm (3.6 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 25 mm (1 in) 7°C (45°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)