A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Hongcun for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Similan Islands or Hongcun?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Hongcun 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: Similan Islands or Hongcun?

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Hongcun?

Hongcun has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Hongcun in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Hongcun. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Hongcun. Typically, the summer temperatures in Similan Islands in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun averages at about 29°C (85°F).

It's quite rainy in Hongcun. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Hongcun. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Hongcun in the Autumn?

Both Hongcun and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year.

In October, Similan Islands is generally a little warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (81°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Hongcun in the Winter?

Both Hongcun and Similan Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Hongcun can get quite cold in the winter. Similan Islands is much warmer than Hongcun in the winter. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Similan Islands usually gets more rain in January than Hongcun. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Hongcun in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round.

In the spring, Similan Islands is much warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the spring temperatures in Similan Islands in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Hongcun averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Typical Weather for Hongcun and Similan Islands