Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Hongcun?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Hongcun, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Qingdao or Hongcun?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
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 Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $58Hongcun $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $52. 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 Qingdao and Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Hongcun? 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.Qingdao $12Hongcun $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun and Qingdao 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 dayQingdao $20Hongcun $19
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.84
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Hongcun $17
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Hongcun $14
When comparing the travel costs between Qingdao and Hongcun, we can see that Qingdao 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 Qingdao Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Qingdao or Hongcun?
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 Qingdao or Hongcun in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Hongcun.
Qingdao is cooler than Hongcun in the summer. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Hongcun fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Hongcun. Qingdao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao usually gets more rain in July than Hongcun. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyQingdao 25°C (77°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Hongcun in the Autumn?
Both Hongcun and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Qingdao is cooler than Hongcun. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Qingdao in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Hongcun averages at about 19°C (65°F).
In October, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQingdao 17°C (62°F)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Hongcun in the Winter?
Both Hongcun and Qingdao during the winter are popular places to visit.
Hongcun can be very cold during winter. Qingdao can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Qingdao is generally much colder than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around -0°C (32°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Qingdao usually gets less rain in January than Hongcun. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQingdao -0°C (32°F)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Hongcun in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Hongcun.
Qingdao is cooler than Hongcun in the spring. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilQingdao 12°C (53°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.