Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Shenzhen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Shenzhen or Zhangjiajie?
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 Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie?
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.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenzhen $127Zhangjiajie $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $127, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $65. 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 Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenzhen $92Zhangjiajie $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenzhen $184Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen or Zhangjiajie? 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 $15Zhangjiajie $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hong Kong Disneyland: 1-Day Entry Ticket with Private Transfer: $165
- Transfers anywhere in Hong Kong: $141
- Hong Kong Hassle free Airport Transfers in Tesla or Benz: $138
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $132
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $121
- Private Transfer: Hong Kong City to Hong Kong Airport HKG in Business Car: $119
- Luxury Private Tesla Transfer: Hong Kong International Airport (From/To HKG): $115
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Guangzhou - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Private Airport Transfer Shenzhen Airport - Guangzhou: $106
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Round Trip Private Transfer: $96
- Hong Kong Airport to Hong Kong City Private Arrival Transfer: $92
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Port - Round- Trip Private Transfer : $92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $18
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $325
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie Train Station to Fenghuang hotel: $149
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Round Trip Private Transfer: $52
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie 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 $20Zhangjiajie $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegetarian Food Tour: $79
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $92
- Hong Kong Guided Dinner + Laser Show Lounge Entry (2023) | 200+ booked : $101
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $108
- Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
- Small Group Local Market Walking Tour and Chinese Cooking Class in Hong Kong: $132
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $140
- Private Food Tour With the Locals in Hong Kong: $146
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $147
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $168
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $168
- Kowloon Night Street Food Tour with a Local: Private & Customized: $187
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenzhen $17Zhangjiajie $23
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shenzhen Self-Guided Flexible Tour with Private Car and Driver : $87
- (Private class) Hong Kong gourmet baking experience class: Hong Kong-style egg tart + custard mooncake: $89
- **HK Resident**sky100 Admission Ticket [F-HC1_HK]: $14
- 2.5-Hour Shenzhen City-Village Walking Tour: Back In The 90's & TikTok Influence: $51
- 4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: $280
- 4-Hour Small Group Kowloon Sightseeing Tour: $103
- A Magical Evening in Hong Kong: Private City Tour: $105
- Afternoon Hiking Tour Sharp Island Geopark: $38
- Aqua Luna: Evening Cruise at Victoria Harbour Hong Kong: $40
- Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $49
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $50
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open-Top Night Tour: $40
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park(Avatar) & Yellow Dragon Cave Private Day Tour: $189
- 1 Day Dragon Sitting Gorge & Red Stone Forest Geo-park TOUR！: $272
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Jiutian Cave and Visit Marshal Helong Memorial: $179
- 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Glass Skywalk Tour: $154
- 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
- 1-Day Fenghuang Tour from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) by Round-way Bullet Train: $240
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tour: Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge and Yellow Dragon Cave: $242
- 16 Day Tour: Spectakular Treasures Zhangjiajie National Park: $5,158
- 2 Day Zhangjiajie Mt. Avatar Tianzi Yuanjiajie Grand Canyon Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenzhen $20Zhangjiajie $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Zhangjiajie?
Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen and Zhangjiajie, 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 Zhangjiajie?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Shenzhen or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Zhangjiajie.
In July, Shenzhen is generally around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 30°C (85°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShenzhen 30°C (85°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Zhangjiajie.
Shenzhen is a little warmer than Zhangjiajie in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in October than Zhangjiajie. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShenzhen 26°C (78°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
Both Zhangjiajie and Shenzhen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In the winter, Shenzhen is much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shenzhen in January average around 16°C (60°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 5°C (42°F).
In January, Shenzhen usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShenzhen 16°C (60°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
Both Zhangjiajie and Shenzhen during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Shenzhen is generally a little warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 23°C (73°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. Shenzhen usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Zhangjiajie. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShenzhen 23°C (73°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Shenzhen
| Shenzhen | Zhangjiajie | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.