Which place is cheaper, Nara or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Nara?
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 Nara. 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 Nara?
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.
Nara
As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $63Nara $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, while the average daily cost in Nara is $85. 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 Nara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Nara $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Nara $104
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Nara
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Nara? 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: Nara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $14Nara $5.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zhangjiajie Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $18
- 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 Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nara:
- Kansai Airport (KIX)：Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Nara?
Prices for flights to both Nara 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 $20Nara $28
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
- Eel Fishing and Cooking Experience in Kyoto: $72
- Cooking class, learning how to make authentic sushi: $111
- Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhangjiajie $23Nara $7.81
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 Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
- 1 Day Walking Tour in Nara Palace Deer and Inkstick: $166
- 1-Day Walking Tour in Palace, Deer and Inkstick: $147
- All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $42
- EBike Eco Chic Tour Explore 1300 Year Old Primeval Forest: $88
- Eigo Tour - Walk in Nara City: $65
- Experience Authentic Sushi making in Nara: $115
- Guided Tour of Todai ji and Nara Park: $83
- Guided Uji Anime Walking Tour: $31
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour : Nara Imperial Palace: $95
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Nara City: $95
- Immersive Experience Tour in Totsukawa village: $3,202
- Katsuragi: Unique Sumo Experience: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Nara $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Nara, we can see that Nara 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 Nara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nara 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 Nara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Nara?
Nara has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Nara, 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 Nara?
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 Nara in the Summer?
Both Nara and Zhangjiajie during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Nara for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Zhangjiajie is around the same temperature as Nara in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in July than Nara. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Nara 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Nara in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Nara. Also, many visitors come to Nara in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is around the same temperature as Nara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Nara averages at about 17°C (63°F).
Nara receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Nara. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Nara 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Nara in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Nara. Also, most visitors come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Nara can be very cold during winter. In January, Zhangjiajie is generally a little warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Nara fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in January than Nara. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Nara 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Nara in the Spring?
Both Nara and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nara because of the natural beauty.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Nara in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In April, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Nara. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Nara 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Nara and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Nara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 214 mm (8.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.