Which place is cheaper, Matsue or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Matsue?
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 Matsue. 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 Matsue?
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.
Matsue
Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $63Matsue $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, while the average daily cost in Matsue is $65. 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 Matsue in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Matsue $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Matsue $52
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Matsue
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Matsue? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Matsue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $14Matsue $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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 Aizhai bridge area: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Zhangjiajie Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Matsue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Matsue:
- Private Transfer from Sakaiminato Port to Osaka Int Airport KIX: $200
- Private Transfer from Sakaiminato Cruise Port to Osaka city : $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Matsue?
Prices for flights to both Matsue 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 $20Matsue $27
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
- 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 $23Matsue $8.81
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 With the Skywalk: $121
- Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain: $122
- 1-day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tour: $132
- 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
Tours and Activities in Matsue
Here are a few actual costs in Matsue for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- An E-Bike cycling tour of Matsue that will add to your enjoyment of the city: $98
- Private Kimono Elegant Experience in the Castle Town of Matsue: $36
- Tour around Matsue Horikawa: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Matsue $6.85
When comparing the travel costs between Zhangjiajie and Matsue, we can see that Matsue 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 Matsue Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Matsue?
Matsue has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Matsue, 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 Matsue?
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 Matsue in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Matsue. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Matsue because of the family-friendly experiences.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Matsue in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Matsue. Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the summer. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in July than Matsue. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Matsue 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Matsue in the Autumn?
Both Matsue and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.
In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Matsue. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Matsue averages at about 17°C (62°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In October, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Matsue. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Matsue 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Matsue in the Winter?
Both Matsue and Zhangjiajie during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Matsue. In January, Zhangjiajie is generally a little warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in January than Matsue. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Matsue 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Matsue in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Matsue. Furthermore, many visitors come to Matsue in the spring for the natural beauty.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Matsue in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Matsue receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Matsue. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Matsue 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Matsue and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Matsue | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.