Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Xiamen 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 Xiamen 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: Xiamen or Hongcun?
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $64Hongcun $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $52. 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 Xiamen and Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $31Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $62Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Hongcun? 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.Xiamen $5.99Hongcun $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Railway Station to Xiamen City: $10
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
- Private Departure Transfer to North Railway Station from Downtown Xiamen: $15
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and Yun Shui Yao Ancient Town: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $93
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun and Xiamen 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 dayXiamen $26Hongcun $19
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.84
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Hongcun $17
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $119
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Hongcun $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Hongcun, we can see that Xiamen 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 Xiamen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xiamen 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 Xiamen Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Xiamen or Hongcun?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Xiamen or Hongcun in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Hongcun.
Xiamen is around the same temperature as Hongcun in the summer. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Hongcun fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Hongcun. Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen usually gets less rain in July than Hongcun. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyXiamen 30°C (86°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Hongcun in the Autumn?
Both Hongcun and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Xiamen is a little warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Xiamen in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Hongcun averages at about 19°C (65°F).
In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberXiamen 25°C (77°F)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Hongcun in the Winter?
Both Hongcun and Xiamen during the winter are popular places to visit.
Hongcun can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Xiamen is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Xiamen usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Hongcun. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryXiamen 14°C (58°F)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Hongcun in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Hongcun.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Hongcun in the spring. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 20°C (69°F) in April, and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 20°C (69°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.