Which place is cheaper, Wuyuan or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Wuyuan?
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 Wuyuan. 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 Wuyuan?
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.
Wuyuan
Wuyuan, China is a small city in the Jiangxi Province in the south central area of the country. The city acts as a transport hub for the province, with many main bus routes running through it. Wuyuan also acts as the main thoroughfare when traveling to local remote villages in the area. It is best to know some Mandarin as this region does not see many non-Mandarin speaking tourists, which also means you should expect some very friendly attention!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Wuyuan $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Wuyuan is $57. 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 Wuyuan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Wuyuan $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Wuyuan $52
Compare Hotels in Pai and Wuyuan
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Wuyuan? 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Wuyuan $13
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 Wuyuan?
Prices for flights to both Wuyuan 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
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Food Meals for one dayPai $21Wuyuan $20
Typical Food Prices in Wuyuan
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wuyuan:
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Gummy Candy$0.28
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Cookies$0.69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Wuyuan $19
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Wuyuan $14
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Wuyuan, 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 Wuyuan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Wuyuan?
Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Wuyuan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
In the summer, Pai is around the same temperature as Wuyuan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Wuyuan averages at about 30°C (85°F).
Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Wuyuan 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Pai or Wuyuan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pai as well as Wuyuan. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Pai is generally a little warmer than Wuyuan. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Wuyuan fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai usually gets more rain in October than Wuyuan. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Wuyuan 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Pai or Wuyuan in the Winter?
Both Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Wuyuan fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Wuyuan. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Wuyuan 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Pai or Wuyuan in the Spring?
Both Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Wuyuan averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Wuyuan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Wuyuan. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Wuyuan 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Wuyuan and Pai
| Pai | Wuyuan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 123 mm (4.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
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.