A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zhangjiajie vs. Busan (Pusan) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Busan (Pusan)?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zhangjiajie and Busan (Pusan). We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Zhangjiajie or Busan (Pusan)?

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.

Busan (Pusan)

An important port city in South Korea, Busan is known for its beaches, mountains, and temples. With a thriving harbor, the city's main revenue comes from international shipping, although the area is quite popular with tourists from all over the globe, too. The place is bustling with sailors from around the world as well as tourists who come to enjoy the culture of this modern and dynamic city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.


Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Zhangjiajie?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, while the average daily cost in Busan (Pusan) is $86. 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 Zhangjiajie and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zhangjiajie $30
    Busan (Pusan) $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zhangjiajie $60
    Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Busan (Pusan)

Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Busan (Pusan)? 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 Zhangjiajie


Hotels in Busan (Pusan)


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: Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zhangjiajie $14
    Busan (Pusan) $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie

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

  • Zhangjiajie Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $18
  • Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie Train Station to Fenghuang hotel: $149
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):

  • Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $120
  • Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $119
  • Busan to Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $119
  • Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $84
  • Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $84
  • Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Busan (Pusan)?

Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Zhangjiajie 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
    Zhangjiajie $20
    Busan (Pusan) $26

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

Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:


  • McDonald's
    $4.48
  • Carp Bread
    $0.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Busan (Pusan)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Busan (Pusan).

  • Busan history and market food tour with local chef: $49
  • Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $95
  • Busan Seafood Tour & Dinner with Busan Oppa: $105
  • Kkakdugi(Korean radish Kimchi) Cooking class at Busan : $110
  • Enjoy tailored Korean cooking class with Ocean view at Busan: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zhangjiajie $23
    Busan (Pusan) $20

Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie

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

  • Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Ticket: $57
  • Tianmen Mountain day tour: $96
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) National Forest Park: $115
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain: $122
  • 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
  • 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
  • 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
  • Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge and Baofeng Lake Private Day Tour: $147
  • Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountain Glass Bridge day tour: $150
  • 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Glass Skywalk Tour: $154
  • Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Private All-inclusive Day Tour: $155
  • Glass Bridge,Zhangjiajie park Avatar Mountain day tour: $160

Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:

  • Full Day Private Guided Tour in Hidden Spot, Daegu: $180
  • 2-Day Busan East and South Private Tour: $300
  • 4Hour Tour From Seokbulsa Temple To Geumjeongsan Fortress: $90
  • Adventures in Blossoms: Daegu E-World Cherry Blossoms Tour: $77
  • Beomeosa Temple and Hongbeopsa Temple Tour and local market tour: $81
  • Busan City Tour - Haedong Yonggung Temple And Shopping in Lotte Premium Outlet: $289
  • Busan City Tour Including Haedong Yonggungsa Temple And APEC House: $290
  • Busan Custom-made Car Tour (Private Tour): $187
  • Busan Essential Private Tour with Heaedong Yonggungsa and Gamcheon Village: $240
  • Busan Glowing Panorama Private Night Tour for Max 6 Guests: $300
  • Busan Guided Small Group Tour for Up to 6 Cruise Guests.: $99
  • Busan Hidden Gems Private Guided Tour: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zhangjiajie $16
    Busan (Pusan) $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Busan (Pusan)

Also in Busan (Pusan), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Busan Pub Crawl: $20


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


Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Busan (Pusan)?

Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Busan (Pusan), 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 Zhangjiajie or Busan (Pusan)?

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 Zhangjiajie or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?

Both Busan (Pusan) and Zhangjiajie during the summer are popular places to visit.

Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Busan (Pusan) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in July than Busan (Pusan). Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Busan (Pusan).

In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is around the same temperature as Busan (Pusan). Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 18°C (65°F).

In October, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Busan (Pusan).

It's quite cold in Busan (Pusan) in the winter. In January, Zhangjiajie is generally much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in January than Busan (Pusan). Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?

Both Busan (Pusan) and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In April, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F) 
    Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Busan (Pusan)
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (42°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 3°C (38°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 5°C (40°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 179 mm (7 in) 18°C (65°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 199 mm (7.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 257 mm (10.1 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 90 mm (3.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)