Which place is cheaper, Hengyang or Shanghai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Shanghai or Hengyang?
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 Shanghai and Hengyang. 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: Shanghai or Hengyang?
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
Hengyang
Hengyang, China is a stunning, historically significant, city in southern China. With an almost six-thousand-year old history, Hengyang is the second largest city in the Hunan Province and is known for its agricultural, fishing, and rice. Near Hengyang is Mount Heng, a mountain famous in Chinese history and religion; it has 72 peaks and dozens of temples in the town below it.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Shanghai Prices
China PricesHengyang Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $139Hengyang $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $139, while the average daily cost in Hengyang is $79. 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 Shanghai and Hengyang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $86Hengyang $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $172Hengyang $56
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Hengyang
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Hengyang? 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: Shanghai Hotel Prices and Hengyang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $4.12Hengyang $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.82
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Two Subway Tickets$0.88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- 3-hour Private Transfer to Shanghai ERA Acrobatic Show from City Center: $53
- Departure Private Transfer: Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG in Business Car: $120
- Departure Transfer from Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG by Sedan: $61
- Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Shanghai Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $93
- Hotel in Shanghai to Shanghai Wusongkou Cruise Port Private Transfer: $36
- Mount Mogan Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai by Private Transfer: $130
- Nantong City Private Transfer from Hongqiao Railway Station: $104
- Nanxun Ancient Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Shanghai: $123
- PVG Airport Private Transfer to or from Shanghai Railway Stations: $61
- Private Arrival Transfer from Hongqiao Railway Station to Shanghai City: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station: $31
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG): $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Hengyang?
Prices for flights to both Hengyang and Shanghai 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 dayShanghai $39Hengyang $38
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.47
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$21
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.65
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Cantelope$1.77
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Dumplings and Soup$2.21
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Duck Dinner$4.41
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Pastries$3.09
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Barbeque Dinner$9.41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple and Local Food Tour: $49
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Shanghai Food Tour and Alleyways to Skyline with 8 Local Eats: $71
- Authentic Local Food Tour Near the Bund: $71
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour by Walking or Cycling: $80
- Small Group: Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings: $80
- Shanghai Cooking Dumpling and Taste Local Food w/Vegan Option: $85
- Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai: $88
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $8.98Hengyang $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$29
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Zoo for Two$15
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- SMALL GROUP-Shanghai Highlights Walking Tour-Tip Based: $3.49
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- Shanghai Evolution Free Walking Tour: $5.00
- Customized Private Tour in Shanghai The Bund Yu Garden Zhujiajiao: $5.00
- Shanghai Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.88
- Shanghai The Bund Walking Tour with Audio Guide on Smartphone: $9.31
- Shanghai Yu Garden Admission Ticket: $9.68
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Private Shanghai Full Day Tour Yu Garden, Bund and Oriental Pearl: $10
- Yuyuan Garden Entrance Ticket: $10
- Yu Garden Ticket: $11
- Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.83Hengyang $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Bar Crawl: TCM Cocktails & Local Craft Beer: $89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Hengyang, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Hengyang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hengyang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hengyang 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 Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai than you might in Hengyang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is Hengyang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Hengyang?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hengyang. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Hengyang, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.