Which place is cheaper, Wuyuan or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vang Vieng or Wuyuan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wuyuan? 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 Wuyuan?
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.
Wuyuan
Wuyuan, China is a small city in the Jiangxi Province in the south central area of the country. The city acts as a transport hub for the province, with many main bus routes running through it. Wuyuan also acts as the main thoroughfare when traveling to local remote villages in the area. It is best to know some Mandarin as this region does not see many non-Mandarin speaking tourists, which also means you should expect some very friendly attention!
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $14Wuyuan $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $14, while the average daily cost in Wuyuan is $57. 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 Wuyuan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.34Wuyuan $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.68Wuyuan $52
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Wuyuan
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Wuyuan? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.18Wuyuan $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Wuyuan?
Prices for flights to both Wuyuan 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayVang Vieng $6.31Wuyuan $20
Typical Food Prices in Wuyuan
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wuyuan:
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Gummy Candy$0.28
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Cookies$0.69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.87Wuyuan $19
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Discover Vang Vieng Private Tour- Trekking, Kayaking and Caving: $102
- Full Day Private Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave Tour: $156
- Half-Day Nam Song River Kayak Tour with Zipline or Tham None: $27
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Train ticket Vang vieng to Luang prabang: $50
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $39
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $35
- Vang Vieng Tour A - Blue lagoon 3 with Caves and Zipline: $110
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $50
- Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.14Wuyuan $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Wuyuan, we can see that Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Vang Vieng or Wuyuan?
Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan in the Summer?
Both Wuyuan and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Wuyuan. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Wuyuan fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Wuyuan. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Wuyuan. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Wuyuan 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wuyuan in the Autumn?
Both Wuyuan and Vang Vieng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Wuyuan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Wuyuan fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Wuyuan. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Wuyuan 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wuyuan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Wuyuan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Wuyuan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Wuyuan averages at about 6°C (43°F).
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Wuyuan. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Wuyuan 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wuyuan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Wuyuan. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Wuyuan. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Wuyuan fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Wuyuan. Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in April than Wuyuan. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Wuyuan 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Wuyuan and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Wuyuan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 123 mm (4.9 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 48 mm (1.9 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.