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

Should you visit Pai or Nanchang?

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 Nanchang. 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 Nanchang?

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.

Nanchang

Capital of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang is a city of southern China with a significant history. Landmarks like the Tengwang Pavilion represent the city's distant past, while its nickname - "the city of Heroes" - comes from the 1927 Nanchang Uprising when the Communist Party began. Today the city serves as a center for politics, economy, culture, science, education, commerce, and transportation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Nanchang or Pai?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Nanchang is $58. 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 Pai and Nanchang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pai $14
    Nanchang $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pai $28
    Nanchang $40
Compare Hotels in Pai and Nanchang

Looking for a hotel in Pai or Nanchang? 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 Pai


Hotels in Nanchang


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: Pai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pai $37
    Nanchang $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai

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

  • Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
  • Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
  • Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
  • Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
  • Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
  • Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Nanchang?

Prices for flights to both Nanchang and Pai 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
    Pai $21
    Nanchang $32

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pai $40
    Nanchang $4.56

Tours and Activities in Pai

For Pai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Jungle Tipsy Tubing Experience with Shots: $6.76

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pai $13
    Nanchang $6.31


When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Nanchang, we can see that Pai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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



When is the best time to visit Pai or Nanchang?

Nanchang 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 Nanchang in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Pai is around the same temperature as Nanchang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Nanchang averages at about 30°C (86°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nanchang this time of the year. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Nanchang during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Nanchang receives 262 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nanchang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Nanchang. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Nanchang receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pai 29°C (85°F) 
    Nanchang 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Pai or Nanchang in the Autumn?

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

In October, Pai is generally a little warmer than Nanchang. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Nanchang fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the autumn, Pai often gets more sunshine than Nanchang. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nanchang receives 161 hours of full sun.

Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai usually gets more rain in October than Nanchang. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Nanchang receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pai 29°C (84°F) 
    Nanchang 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Pai or Nanchang in the Winter?

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

Pai is much warmer than Nanchang in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Nanchang fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Nanchang during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Nanchang receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Nanchang. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Nanchang receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pai 24°C (74°F) 
    Nanchang 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Pai or Nanchang in the Spring?

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

The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Nanchang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Nanchang averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Pai. In the spring, Pai often gets more sunshine than Nanchang. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nanchang receives 116 hours of full sun.

Nanchang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Nanchang. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nanchang receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pai 32°C (89°F) 
    Nanchang 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Nanchang and Pai

Pai Nanchang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Mar 29°C (83°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Apr 32°C (89°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 229 mm (9 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 232 mm (9.1 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 30°C (86°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 256 mm (10.1 in) 30°C (86°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Sep 29°C (85°F) 207 mm (8.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 8°C (47°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)