Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Tianjin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tianjin or Zhangjiajie?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tianjin or Zhangjiajie? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tianjin or Zhangjiajie?
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
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 dayTianjin $76Zhangjiajie $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Tianjin is $76, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $63. 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 Tianjin and Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTianjin $34Zhangjiajie $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTianjin $68Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Tianjin 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.Tianjin $37Zhangjiajie $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing with Guide: $216
- Private Transfer from Tianjin International Airport to Beijing Downtown: $208
- Tianjin Private Transfer to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall: $196
- Tianjin Port Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $192
- Private Tianjin Port Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $178
- Private Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall from Tianjin City: $178
- Private PEK Airport Departure Transfer from Tianjin with Bullet Train Experience: $168
- Tianjin Port Pick-up and Beijing Hotel Drip-off Transfer with Private Driver : $155
- Private Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Great Wall of China with Beijing Drop-Off: $151
- Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing: $138
- Private One Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port and Beijing: $132
- Tianjin Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Pass and Eastern Qing Tombs: $132
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie Train Station to Fenghuang hotel: $149
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie to/from Fenghuang : $149
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie and Tianjin 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 dayTianjin $20Zhangjiajie $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Full-Day Private Discovery Tour to Tianmen Mountain National Park with Dinner: $184
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tianjin $10Zhangjiajie $23
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- 2 Days Beijing Group Tour from Tianjin Port without Shop Stops: $276
- 4- Hour Tianjin Local Food & Tea Tour: $49
- 4-Hour Shore Excursion: Tianjin City Highlights and Binhai Bullet Train Experience: $259
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Private Shopping Tour: $120
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- All-inclusive Day Tour: China House, Five Avenues, Ancient Street & Tianjin Eye: $224
- All-inclusive Tianjin Day Tour to Qing Emperor's Tomb & Huangyaguan Great Wall : $278
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven: $219
- From Tianjin Xingang Port: Private 2-Day Beijing Tour: $550
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Half-Day Self-Guided Fenghuang Night Tour from Zhangjiajie: $200
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park(Avatar) & Yellow Dragon Cave Private Day Tour: $189
- (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
- 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 Avatar World Nature Hiking Private Tour: $179
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon(Glass Bridge) & Baofeng Lake Tour: $240
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tour: Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge and Yellow Dragon Cave: $242
- 1-day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tour: $132
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTianjin $11Zhangjiajie $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tianjin and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Tianjin 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 Tianjin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tianjin 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 Tianjin Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Zhangjiajie?
Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin 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 Tianjin 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 Tianjin or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
Both Zhangjiajie and Tianjin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Tianjin is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tianjin in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 29°C (85°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. It's quite rainy in Tianjin. In July, Tianjin usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Tianjin gets 185 mm (7.3 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 JulyTianjin 27°C (80°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
Both Zhangjiajie and Tianjin during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Tianjin is generally cooler than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Tianjin average around 15°C (58°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Tianjin usually gets less rain in October than Zhangjiajie. Tianjin gets 21 mm (0.8 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 OctoberTianjin 15°C (58°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tianjin and Zhangjiajie.
It's quite cold in Tianjin in the winter. Tianjin is much colder than Zhangjiajie in the winter. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
In January, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Tianjin gets 3 mm (0.1 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 JanuaryTianjin -3°C (27°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tianjin as well as Zhangjiajie.
In the spring, Tianjin is cooler than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tianjin in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 17°C (63°F).
It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. Tianjin usually gets less rain in April than Zhangjiajie. Tianjin gets 25 mm (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 AprilTianjin 14°C (58°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Tianjin
| Tianjin | Zhangjiajie | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (31°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (31°F) | 4 mm (0.2 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.