Which place is cheaper, Dalian or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Dalian?
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 Dalian. 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 Dalian?
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.
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $63Dalian $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, while the average daily cost in Dalian is $103. 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 Dalian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Dalian $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Dalian $108
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Dalian
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Dalian? 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 $14Dalian $41
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 to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33
- Dalian Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Dalian?
Prices for flights to both Dalian 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 $20Dalian $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhangjiajie $23Dalian $4.79
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Jiutian Cave and Visit Marshal Helong Memorial: $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
- 4 Days Zhangjiajie Discovery Tour with Yellow Dragon Cave & Baofeng Lake: $291
- 4-Day Highlights of Zhangjiajie With Sunrise Experience: $366
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Dalian $6.32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Dalian, we can see that Dalian 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian 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 Dalian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Dalian?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Dalian, 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 Dalian?
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 Dalian in the Summer?
Both Dalian and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Dalian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zhangjiajie in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Dalian averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Dalian. It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Dalian. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Dalian 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Dalian in the Autumn?
Both Dalian and Zhangjiajie during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Zhangjiajie is generally a little warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 19°C (65°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in October than Dalian. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Dalian 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Dalian in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Dalian.
Dalian can be very cold during winter. Zhangjiajie is much warmer than Dalian in the winter. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Dalian fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Dalian. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Dalian -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Dalian in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Dalian.
In the spring, Zhangjiajie is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zhangjiajie in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Dalian averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Dalian. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Dalian 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Dalian and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Dalian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
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.