Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Xi'an?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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.
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Xi'an Prices
China PricesZhangjiajie Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXi'an $112Zhangjiajie $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $112, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $84. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXi'an $65Zhangjiajie $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXi'an $130Zhangjiajie $64
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.
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: Xi'an Hotel Prices and Zhangjiajie Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xi'an $13Zhangjiajie $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Xi'an: 5-Day Guided Tour with Meals and Transfers: $574
- Xi'an Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $300
- 2-Day Customized Private Tour With Transfer in Historical Xi'an: $269
- Xian Terracotta Warriors and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $254
- Xian Highlights Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $245
- Full-Day Layover Private Tour: Essence of Xi'an With Airport Transfer: $229
- Xi'an Layover: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum With Airport Transfer: $229
- Xian Private Day Tour with Airport Transfer: Terracotta Warriors and City Wall: $225
- Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour with Airport Transfer: $216
- Xian Terracotta Warriors Museum Tour with Airport Transfer: $214
- Xi'an Layover: City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda With Airport Transfer: $209
- Xi'an Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 15 pax: $200
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Entrance Tickets to Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge with Private Car Transfer From Zhangjiajie city hotel (Round Trip ): $127
- 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: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $321
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie to/from Fenghuang: $149
- Tianmen Mountain Day Tour with Luggage Storage&Flexible Transfer: $180
- Zhangjiajie DYG Airport Private Transfer to City & Wulingyuan: $25
- Zhangjiajie Forest Park 4 Day Pass and All You Can Ride Transfers: $98
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
- Glass Bridge & Canyon ticket with the transfer: $117
- Zhangjiajie:Tianmen Mountain & Cable Car Ticket with the transfer: $114
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
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Food Meals for one dayXi'an $23Zhangjiajie $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Xi’an：City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
- Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
- Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
- Tang Dynasty Royal Show Optinal Dinner With Round-trip Transfers: $38
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Music Dance Show or Dinner Show with Transfer: $39
- Skip The Line Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Or Dinner With Transfer: $39
- Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
- Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
- Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with Private transfer: $55
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket with Optional Dinner: $57
- Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Full-Day Private Discovery Tour to Tianmen Mountain National Park with Dinner: $184
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xi'an $38Zhangjiajie $25
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- #1 Bestselling Private Terracotta Army Tours + Customized Xian Tours: $108
- 1 Day Beijing to Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Tour by Air: $779
- 1 Day Private Tour to Terracotta Army & Huaqing Pool, No Shopping: $129
- 1 Day Xian City Highlights Private Tour: $148
- 1 Day Xian Group Tour: Terracotta Warriors & City Wall: $196
- 1 day Adventure Tour of Mount Hua in Xi'an: $85
- 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
- 2 Days Xi'an City Tour: $292
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Xiangxi Theatre Tour: $5.00
- Mini Group: 1-Day zhangjiajie Avatar Mt&Tianmen&Glass Bridge Tour: $5.00
- Beijing: Ancient Architecture Museum Entry Ticket: $6.00
- Zhangjiajie 72 Odd Towers Ticket Booking: $9.00
- 72 Tower Entry Ticket and Show: $11
- Mutianyu Great Wall Ticket | Cable Car & Toboggan Pre-Booking: $13
- Entry ticket to 72 Wonder Buildings: $13
- National Forest Park Entry Ticket and More: $19
- Zhangjiajie Baofeng Lake Ticket: $20
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Ticket: $20
- Zhangjiajie Private Helicopter Tour to Explore Real Avatar World: $25
- Forest Park Ticket with Cableway & Bailong Elevator: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXi'an $7.82Zhangjiajie $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:
- Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29
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.
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.