Which place is cheaper, Sado or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Sado?
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 Sado. 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 Sado?
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.
Sado
Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $63Sado $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, while the average daily cost in Sado is $62. 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 Sado in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Sado $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Sado $60
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Sado
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Sado? 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: Sado Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $14Sado $14
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Sado?
Prices for flights to both Sado 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 $20Sado $23
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 $23Sado $8.43
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: $122
- 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
- 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
- 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
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Glass Skywalk Tour: $154
- Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Private All-inclusive Day Tour: $155
- Glass Bridge,Zhangjiajie park Avatar Mountain day tour: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Sado $66
When comparing the travel costs between Zhangjiajie and Sado, we can see that Zhangjiajie 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 Sado Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie or Sado?
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 Sado in the Summer?
Both Sado and Zhangjiajie during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Sado for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Zhangjiajie is generally a little warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 29°C (85°F), and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
Sado 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 Sado. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Sado 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Sado in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Sado. Also, many visitors come to Sado in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Sado in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Sado receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Sado. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Sado 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Sado in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Sado. Also, most visitors come to Sado for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Sado can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Zhangjiajie is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zhangjiajie in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Sado averages at about 3°C (37°F).
It's quite rainy in Sado. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Sado 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Sado in the Spring?
Both Sado and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Zhangjiajie is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 17°C (63°F), and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In April, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Sado. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Sado 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sado and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Sado | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 162 mm (6.4 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.