A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zhangjiajie vs. Chichibu-Tama-Kai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai. 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

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.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai

Located at the intersection of the Saitama, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Tokyo Prefectures, Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is a national park in Japan webbed with hiking trails and many ancient shrines. Mount Mitake, Mount Mitsumine, and Mount Mito are just three of the eight peaks that tower above the park at over 2000 meters, while rivers sources flowing below include the Arakawa River, Shinano River, Tama River, and Fuefuki River (Fuji River).

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai is $69. 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zhangjiajie $30
    Chichibu-Tama-Kai $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zhangjiajie $60
    Chichibu-Tama-Kai $68
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Chichibu-Tama-Kai

Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Chichibu-Tama-Kai? 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai


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.
    Zhangjiajie $14
    Chichibu-Tama-Kai $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie

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

  • 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
  • Zhangjiajie Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Prices for flights to both Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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
    Chichibu-Tama-Kai $24

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zhangjiajie $23
    Chichibu-Tama-Kai $7.13

Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie

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

  • Half-Day Self-Guided Fenghuang Night Tour from Zhangjiajie: $200
  • (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
  • 1 Day Dragon Sitting Gorge & Red Stone Forest Geo-park TOUR!: $272
  • 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
  • 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Glass Skywalk Tour: $154
  • 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
  • 1-Day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon(Glass Bridge) & Baofeng Lake Tour: $240
  • 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
  • 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
    Zhangjiajie $16
    Chichibu-Tama-Kai $8.30


When comparing the travel costs between Zhangjiajie and Chichibu-Tama-Kai, we can see that Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 Zhangjiajie Expensive? and Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

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 Zhangjiajie or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Summer?

Both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Chichibu-Tama-Kai because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Zhangjiajie is generally a little warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 29°C (85°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F) 
    Chichibu-Tama-Kai 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Autumn?

Both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Zhangjiajie during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Chichibu-Tama-Kai this time of year.

Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in October than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F) 
    Chichibu-Tama-Kai 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Also, many travelers come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. In the winter, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zhangjiajie in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F) 
    Chichibu-Tama-Kai 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Also, many visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Zhangjiajie is generally a little warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 17°C (63°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F) 
    Chichibu-Tama-Kai 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Chichibu-Tama-Kai
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (42°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 4°C (39°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Feb 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 4°C (40°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 179 mm (7 in) 18°C (65°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 199 mm (7.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 25°C (78°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 177 mm (7 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 90 mm (3.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)