A Travel Price Comparison for China Yangshuo vs. Zhangjiajie for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yangshuo or Zhangjiajie?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Yangshuo and Zhangjiajie can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Zhangjiajie?

Yangshuo

A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.

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 Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.


Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Yangshuo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $72, 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 Yangshuo and Zhangjiajie in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yangshuo $25
    Zhangjiajie $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yangshuo $50
    Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Zhangjiajie

Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo


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.
    Yangshuo $42
    Zhangjiajie $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo

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

  • Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
  • Visit 100% primitive cave with Transfer: $97
  • Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
  • Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
  • Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
  • Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $49
  • Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie

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

  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie Train Station to Fenghuang hotel: $149
  • Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105

Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Zhangjiajie?

Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie and Yangshuo 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
    Yangshuo $19
    Zhangjiajie $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo

For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
  • Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yangshuo $23
    Zhangjiajie $23

Tours and Activities in Yangshuo

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

  • Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
  • 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
  • 1-Day Guilin City Tour and Ends of Longji Rice Terraces from Yangshuo: $218
  • 2 Day - Longji Rice Terraces - Sunrise Hiking Tour: $280
  • All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
  • From Guilin or Top 4 Highlights Private Day tour: $157
  • Full-Day Li-River Tour from Yangshuo to Yangdi With the English Speaking Driver: $159
  • Full-day Tour: Longji Rice Terraces & Minority Villages: $146
  • Full-day Tour: Spectacular Sunrise, Tea Plantation & Sunset: $134
  • Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Private Tour: $137
  • Guilin Highlight Sightseeing Private Day City Tour: $139
  • Guilin: 3-Day Private Tour with Longsheng&Cruise to Yangshuo: $328

Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie

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

  • Zhangjiajie National Forest Park(Avatar) & Yellow Dragon Cave Private Day Tour: $189
  • (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
  • 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
  • 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Glass Skywalk Tour: $154
  • 1-Day Zhangjiajie Avatar World Nature Hiking Private Tour: $179
  • 1-Day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon(Glass Bridge) & Baofeng Lake Tour: $240
  • 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
  • 1-day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tour: $132
  • 2-Day “Best Of Zhangjiajie”-Avatar World & Tianmen Mountain Tour: $260
  • 2-Day Zhangjiajie Happy Foodie&Sightseeing Tour: $300
  • 2-Day Zhangjiajie Tour Including Yuanjiajie Mountains: $550
  • 2-Full Days Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tour : $284

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yangshuo $33
    Zhangjiajie $16


When comparing the travel costs between Yangshuo and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Yangshuo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Zhangjiajie?

Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo 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.


When is the best time to visit Yangshuo or Zhangjiajie?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Yangshuo or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?

Both Zhangjiajie and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie in the summer. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. In July, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Yangshuo 30°C (86°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?

Both Zhangjiajie and Yangshuo during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Yangshuo is a little warmer than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yangshuo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 19°C (65°F).

Yangshuo usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Zhangjiajie. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Yangshuo 23°C (73°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Zhangjiajie.

In January, Yangshuo is generally much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 10°C (49°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In January, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Yangshuo 10°C (49°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Zhangjiajie.

Yangshuo is a little warmer than Zhangjiajie in the spring. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in April than Zhangjiajie. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Yangshuo 20°C (68°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)

Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Yangshuo

Yangshuo Zhangjiajie
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (42°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 199 mm (7.8 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 29°C (85°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 29°C (83°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 90 mm (3.6 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)