A Travel Price Comparison for China Shandong vs. Henan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Shandong or Henan?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Shandong and Henan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Shandong or Henan?

Shandong

Shandong Province, China is located on the Yellow Sea in the north eastern part of the country, with the Yellow River running throughout the province. The province is known for their natural beauty, ancient temples, and pristine cities. The province as a whole does not see many tourists, so expect to get some very friendly attention, especially when traveling through smaller cities.

Henan

Amidst verdant mountainscapes and ancient pagoda temples, a rich heritage and profound history hangs an enchanting air of the landscape. The Henan Province is a central province to the nation. Often referred to as Zhongyuan or Zhongzhou, the name of the province means "central plain land" or "midland." The Henan Province was the bud of the nation that grew into a beautiful blossom that became China today. Over 3,000 years ago, the Henan Province was where the Chinese people laid down their civilization and remained the central hub of China's economy, politics, and culture for over 1,000 years. Many of the ruins of varying dynasties have been maintained throughout the centuries, such as the Yin, Shaolin Temple, and four of the eight great ancient capitals of the nation, Luoyang, Anyang, Kaifeng, and Zhengzhou. The Henan Province remained important geographically throughout the centuries because of its proximity to the Yellow River. Even the literal name of the province, pronounced Huang He, means "south of the Yellow River." Some of the neighboring provinces include Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, and Hubei. With a population of 94 million, Henan is China's third most populated province. While considered one of the less developed provinces of China, the Henan Province is still a beautiful landscape with a historically significant background. If you are a lover of history, beauty, or culture, the "Chinese North Plain" is the place to be!

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.

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

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