A Travel Price Comparison for China Xi'an vs. Zhangjiajie for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xi'an or Zhangjiajie?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xi'an and Zhangjiajie 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: Xi'an or Zhangjiajie?

Xi'an

Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.

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 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.


Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Xi'an?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $95, 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 Xi'an and Zhangjiajie in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xi'an $61
    Zhangjiajie $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xi'an $122
    Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Xi'an and Zhangjiajie

Looking for a hotel in Xi'an 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.

Hotels in Xian


Hotels in Zhangjiajie


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xi'an $12
    Zhangjiajie $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • 2-Day Customized Private Tour With Transfer in Historical Xi'an: $231
  • Xian Terracotta Warriors and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $224
  • Full-Day Layover Private Tour: Essence of Xi'an With Airport Transfer: $197
  • Essential Xian Tour with Airport Train Station or Hotel Transfer: $197
  • From Xian: Terracotta Army and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $194
  • Xian Private Day Tour with Airport Transfer: Terracotta Warriors and City Wall: $186
  • Xian Terracotta Warriors Museum Tour with Airport Transfer: $184
  • Xian City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda Tour With Airport Transfer: $176
  • Terracotta Warriors Museum Ticket With Private Transfer Service: $172
  • Terracotta Warriors Tour with Airport Train Station or Hotel Transfer: $170
  • One Day Private Xian Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Airport Transfers: $170
  • Terracotta Warriors Museum Tour with Airport Pickup or Drop-off Transfer: $162

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie

Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $63
  • Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
  • Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie to/from Fenghuang : $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Xi'an or Zhangjiajie?

Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie and Xi'an 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Xi'an $12
    Zhangjiajie $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.

  • Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $32
  • Xian Muslim Quarter: 2-Hour Small Group Walking Food Tour : $36
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Dinner with Hotel Transfer: $40
  • Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
  • Private Home Cooking Class:Dumpling Cooking Class Tour in Xi'an: $50
  • Tang Dynasty Show with Optional Dinner: $51
  • Xi'an Twilight Sightseeing and Food Tour: $51
  • Xi'an Authentic Food Tour with Local Beverages: $54
  • Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
  • Xi'an Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $62
  • Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65
  • Xi'an Evening Food Tour by TukTuk: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xi'an $35
    Zhangjiajie $23

Tours and Activities in Xi'an

Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Group Tour to the Terra-cotta Warriors Museum & Lunch : $65
  • Private Half Day Tour to See The Big Wild Goose Pagoda&City Wall:: $185
  • Xi'an Morning Food & Market Tour by TukTuk: $55
  • 1 Day Xian City Highlights Private Tour: $148
  • 1 Day Xian Group Tour: Terracotta Warriors & City Wall: $138
  • 1 day The Terracotta Army+Xi'an City Wall+Yongxing Square Mini Group Tour: $106
  • 1 day Xi'an Culture and History Discovery Mini Group tour: $112
  • 1-Day Private Tour: Mount Huashan With the Lunch from Xi'an: $190
  • 1-Day Xi'an City Highlights and Hanyangling Museum Private Tour: $100
  • 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Museum and Banpo Neolithic Village Museum Tour: $100
  • 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors,Wild Goose Pagoda and Banpo Village Museum Tour: $100
  • 1-Day Xi'an Tour with the Terracotta Warriors, Cave Dwelling and City Wall : $236

Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.

  • Virtual Guided Tour: Visit China's Landscapes with Hollywood Movies: $16
  • Baofeng Lake Admission Ticket in Zhangjiajie (with Boat Ride): $37
  • Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Ticket: $57
  • Tianmen Mountain day tour: $96
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) National Forest Park: $115
  • Join-in Tour: Day Tour to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge : $125
  • 1-day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tour: $132
  • 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
  • 1-day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour with Tianmen Cave: $137
  • 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
  • Private Day Tour of Baofeng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave: $140
  • 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xi'an $7.28
    Zhangjiajie $16


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


Which is Bigger, Xi'an or Zhangjiajie?

Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Xi'an 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.