Which place is cheaper, Chongqing or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Chongqing?
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 Chongqing. 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 Chongqing?
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.
Chongqing
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $64Chongqing $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $64, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $88. 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 Chongqing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Chongqing $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Chongqing $100
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Chongqing
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Chongqing? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $15Chongqing $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $63
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- Dazu Rock Carvings Private Transfer or Tour: $278
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Wulong National Park: $168
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $128
- Transfer betwn hotel airport and railway station (Chongqing): $115
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $60
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $50
- Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) to Hotel: $39
- Private Departure Transfer:Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport CKG: $39
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
- [Airport Transfer] Chongqing Airport ⇔ Chongqing City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Chongqing?
Prices for flights to both Chongqing 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
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Food Meals for one dayZhangjiajie $21Chongqing $25
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- Chongqing Local Flavors Walking Food Tour: $98
- 4 Hour Walking Historical Local Food Tour: $110
- CHONGQING:Strolling through the city(Include dinner): $127
- Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
- Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $183
- Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $193
- From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $197
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhangjiajie $23Chongqing $14
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Virtual Guided Tour: Visit China's Landscapes with Hollywood Movies: $16
- Baofeng Lake Admission Ticket in Zhangjiajie (with Boat Ride): $37
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Ticket: $57
- Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain: $125
- Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) National Forest Park: $130
- 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
- 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
- Private Day Tour of Baofeng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave: $140
- 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
- Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Private All-inclusive Day Tour: $155
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
- 3-Hour Walking Tour of Chongqing Shancheng (Mountain City) Lane: $65
- 4D3N Yangtze River Victoria Cruise: Chongqing to Yichang: $630
- 5D4N Yangtze River Victoria Cruise: Yichang to Chongqing: $630
- All-In-One Chongqing Trendy Spots Private Tour: $220
- All-in-one Chongqing Night view private tour: $150
- City Night Cruise and Local Snacks Tour: $218
- Chongqing City Sightseeing Private Day Tour: $196
- Chongqing Dazu stone carving day tour: $191
- Chongqing Half day Private Tour With Entire City Night View: $220
- Chongqing Private City Tour Extention: $220
- Chongqing Wulong Exploration Private Day Tour With the Lunch: $185
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Chongqing $7.04
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing 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 Chongqing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Chongqing?
Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Chongqing, 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.