A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pai vs. Hongcun for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pai or Hongcun?

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 Pai and Hongcun. 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: Pai or Hongcun?

Pai

As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.

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 The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Pai or Hongcun?

Hongcun has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Pai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Pai or Hongcun in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Hongcun. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

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

It's quite rainy in Hongcun. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Hongcun. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pai or Hongcun in the Autumn?

Both Hongcun and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.

Pai is much warmer than Hongcun in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pai or Hongcun in the Winter?

Both Hongcun and Pai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Hongcun averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Pai usually gets less rain in January than Hongcun. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pai or Hongcun in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.

Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hongcun and Pai