A Travel Price Comparison for China Yunnan vs. Henan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yunnan or Henan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yunnan or Henan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Yunnan or Henan?

Yunnan

Located in southwestern China, Yunnan is a province known for its large number of ethnic minorities as well as its varied landscape from snow-capped mountains and rice terraces to lakes and deep gorges. It is also one of the most diverse provinces in China with the Northwest being heavily influenced by Tibet and the South being influenced by the cultures of Laos and Burma.

Henan

Amidst verdant mountainscapes and ancient pagoda temples, a rich heritage and profound history hangs an enchanting air of the landscape. The Henan Province is a central province to the nation. Often referred to as Zhongyuan or Zhongzhou, the name of the province means "central plain land" or "midland." The Henan Province was the bud of the nation that grew into a beautiful blossom that became China today. Over 3,000 years ago, the Henan Province was where the Chinese people laid down their civilization and remained the central hub of China's economy, politics, and culture for over 1,000 years. Many of the ruins of varying dynasties have been maintained throughout the centuries, such as the Yin, Shaolin Temple, and four of the eight great ancient capitals of the nation, Luoyang, Anyang, Kaifeng, and Zhengzhou. The Henan Province remained important geographically throughout the centuries because of its proximity to the Yellow River. Even the literal name of the province, pronounced Huang He, means "south of the Yellow River." Some of the neighboring provinces include Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, and Hubei. With a population of 94 million, Henan is China's third most populated province. While considered one of the less developed provinces of China, the Henan Province is still a beautiful landscape with a historically significant background. If you are a lover of history, beauty, or culture, the "Chinese North Plain" is the place to be!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yunnan and Henan, we can see that Henan is more expensive. And not only is Yunnan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yunnan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yunnan 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 Henan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Henan than you might in Yunnan.

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