Which place is cheaper, Nagano or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Nagano?
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 Nagano. 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 Nagano?
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.
Nagano
Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.
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 Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $63Nagano $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, while the average daily cost in Nagano is $90. 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 Nagano in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Nagano $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Nagano $122
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Nagano
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Nagano? 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: Nagano Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $14Nagano $9.79
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagano
Also for Nagano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Between Station & Snow Monkey Park: $685
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Nagano?
Prices for flights to both Nagano 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 $20Nagano $22
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhangjiajie $23Nagano $8.16
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
Tours and Activities in Nagano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.
- 4 Day - From Nagano to Kanazawa: Ultimate Central Japan tour: $782
- Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano: $85
- Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley: $177
- Izakaya Food Night Tour in Nagano: $98
- Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour: $47
- Private Snow Monkey Tour: From Nagano City / Ski Resorts: $1,334
- Snow Monkey & ZinkoJi With Sake Tasting Private Tour: $537
- Welcome to Private Tour with a Local: $55
- Zenkoji Experience Tour: Overnight 'Shukubo' (Temple Lodge): $221
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Nagano -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Nagano, we can see that Nagano 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 Nagano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagano 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 Nagano Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Nagano?
Nagano has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Nagano, 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 Nagano?
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 Nagano in the Summer?
Both Nagano and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Nagano in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Nagano fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Nagano. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Nagano 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Nagano in the Autumn?
Both Nagano and Zhangjiajie during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.
In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Nagano. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Nagano averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in October than Nagano. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Nagano 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Nagano in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Nagano. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagano. In January, Zhangjiajie is generally much warmer than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Nagano receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Nagano. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Nagano 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Nagano in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Nagano. Additionally, many visitors come to Nagano in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Zhangjiajie is much warmer than Nagano in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Nagano fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Nagano. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Nagano 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Nagano and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Nagano | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 446 mm (17.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 275 mm (10.8 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 222 mm (8.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 227 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 339 mm (13.3 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 440 mm (17.3 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.