A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vang Vieng vs. Shijiazhuang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Shijiazhuang?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shijiazhuang? 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: Vang Vieng or Shijiazhuang?

Vang Vieng

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.

Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang is the capital city of Hebei Province in China. It is a fairly young city, acting as the regional transport hub and economic center, though there are a few sights worth seeing. The city is also the largest pharmaceutical hub in China, as well as an important center for textile, IT, manufacturing, and chemical industries.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Shijiazhuang, we can see that Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Shijiazhuang?

Shijiazhuang has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Shijiazhuang, 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 Vang Vieng or Shijiazhuang?

Shijiazhuang has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shijiazhuang in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Shijiazhuang. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Shijiazhuang. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in Shijiazhuang. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Shijiazhuang. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shijiazhuang in the Autumn?

Both Shijiazhuang 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 much warmer than Shijiazhuang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In October, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Shijiazhuang. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shijiazhuang in the Winter?

Both Shijiazhuang 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.

It's quite cold in Shijiazhuang in the winter. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Shijiazhuang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Shijiazhuang averages at about -2°C (29°F).

Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Shijiazhuang. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shijiazhuang in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Shijiazhuang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.

In April, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Shijiazhuang. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Shijiazhuang. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Shijiazhuang and Vang Vieng