Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Shenzhen?
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 Shenzhen or Hangzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenzhen and Hangzhou can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Shenzhen or Hangzhou?
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.
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Shenzhen Prices
China PricesHangzhou Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenzhen $139Hangzhou $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $139, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou 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 Shenzhen and Hangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenzhen $90Hangzhou $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenzhen $180Hangzhou $46
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Hangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen or Hangzhou? 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.Shenzhen $15Hangzhou $8.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- A One-Way Hotel Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Disneyland: $36
- Arrival Transfer Hong Kong Kai Tak Port to Hong Kong by Minivan: $80
- HK Local Transfer in City, Cruise Terminal and Train Station: $87
- HONG KONG Airport Private Transfer Service: $148
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Port - Round- Trip Private Transfer : $139
- Hong Kong Airport Transfer: $118
- Hong Kong Airport Transfer Experience with Style and Comfort: $98
- Hong Kong Kowloon Ocean Cruise Terminal private transfer, pick up: $60
- Hong Kong Private Transfer from Hong Kong city to Hong Kong Airport: $84
- Hong Kong Private Transfer: Hong Kong Disneyland to Hotel: $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
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Local Bus for Two$0.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- Xitang Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Hangzhou : $95
- Wuzhen Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Hangzhou : $87
- VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show with Private Transfer: $83
- Transfer from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to City Center: $75
- Private Transfer to Wuzhen Water Town from Hangzhou: $88
- Private Transfer to Suzhou City from Hangzhou: $113
- Private Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport from Hangzhou: $129
- Private Transfer to Shanghai City from Hangzhou: $119
- Private Transfer to Qiandao Lake from Hangzhou: $135
- Private Transfer to Putuo Mountain from Hangzhou: $165
- Private Transfer to Hengdian World Studios from Hangzhou: $113
- Private Transfer between Hangzhou city and Hello Kitty Theme Park : $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Hangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Hangzhou and Shenzhen 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 dayShenzhen $35Hangzhou $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more: $37
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $98
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $107
- Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
- Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $115
- Small Group Local Market Walking Tour and Chinese Cooking Class in Hong Kong: $131
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $145
- Private Food Tour in Hong Kong: $148
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $149
- Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $174
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $176
- Traditional Fried Noodle Cooking Class in Hong Kong: $183
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
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Breakfast Pastries$2.37
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Pizza Hut Lunch$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.
- All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
- Hangzhou One Day Local Food Tour: $124
- VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Tour with Authentic Dinner: $127
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Wuzhen Ancient Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner Option: $185
- Xitang Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner: $203
- Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen Water Town with Lunch or Dinner: $213
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenzhen $17Hangzhou $20
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Between Two Systems: Hong Kong's Living History Tip Based Tour: $1.31
- Introduction to Hong Kong: Central Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.61
- Day in the life of a Hong Konger: Kowloon Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.61
- Skip the Line! Walk to the Peak: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Victoria Peak: Climb to the summit via the Mid-Levels escalato on an audio tour: $5.40
- Yau Ma Tei: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in the Heart of Kowloon: $5.40
- Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket: $5.45
- Haunted Ghost Tour in Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Adventure: $7.00
- Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $9.14
- Hong Kong Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428 Tickets (Optional): $13
- Double-decker Sightseeing Bus 24-hour E PASSTicket: $14
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-day Village Tea Picking, Roasting & Serving Guided Private Tour from Hangzhou : $244
- 2-Day Huangshan Mountain Sunset Climb & Sunrise Camp Guided Tour from Hangzhou : $162
- 2-Hour Private Tea plantation tour in Hangzhou China: $125
- 4-Hour Hangzhou City Private Customized Tour with Options: $113
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Highlights Tour of Lingyin Temple and West Lake: $188
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Summit and Former Residence of Xueyan Hu Private Tour: $141
- 7 hours Hangzhou Tour Itinerary: $219
- All Inclusive Tour of Lingyin Temple and Pagoda of Six Harmonies: $199
- All-inclusive Customized Hangzhou Private Day Tour: $216
- Amazing Landmarks Hangzhou Private Day Tour: $225
- Authentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour: $150
- Authentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenzhen $19Hangzhou $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:
- Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Hangzhou, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Hangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hangzhou 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Hangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Hangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Hangzhou?
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Shenzhen. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen and Hangzhou, 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.
When is the best time to visit Shenzhen or Hangzhou?
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 Shenzhen or Hangzhou in the Summer?
Both Hangzhou and Shenzhen during the summer are popular places to visit.
In July, Shenzhen is generally around the same temperature as Hangzhou. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 30°C (85°F), and Hangzhou fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Hangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in July than Hangzhou. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShenzhen 30°C (85°F)Hangzhou 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Hangzhou in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Hangzhou.
Shenzhen is a little warmer than Hangzhou in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Hangzhou fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Hangzhou. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShenzhen 26°C (78°F)Hangzhou 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Hangzhou in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Hangzhou.
Hangzhou can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Shenzhen is much warmer than Hangzhou. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shenzhen in January average around 16°C (60°F), and Hangzhou averages at about 5°C (41°F).
Shenzhen usually gets less rain in January than Hangzhou. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShenzhen 16°C (60°F)Hangzhou 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Hangzhou in the Spring?
Both Hangzhou and Shenzhen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Shenzhen is generally a little warmer than Hangzhou. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 23°C (73°F), and Hangzhou fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hangzhou. It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. In April, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Hangzhou. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShenzhen 23°C (73°F)Hangzhou 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hangzhou and Shenzhen
| Shenzhen | Hangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 49 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.