Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Hangzhou? 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.
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $80. 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 Vang Vieng and Hangzhou in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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.
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
Prices for flights to both Hangzhou and Vang Vieng 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Hangzhou, we can see that Hangzhou is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Hangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hangzhou than you might in Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Hangzhou Expensive?.
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng 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.
Hangzhou has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
The summer brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Hangzhou. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Hangzhou. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Hangzhou fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Hangzhou. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Hangzhou. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Hangzhou and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.
Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Hangzhou in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Hangzhou fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Hangzhou. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Hangzhou and Vang Vieng during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hangzhou. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Hangzhou. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Hangzhou averages at about 5°C (41°F).
Vang Vieng usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Hangzhou. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Hangzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Hangzhou. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Hangzhou fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Hangzhou receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Hangzhou. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Vang Vieng | Hangzhou | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |