Which place is cheaper, Sendai or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Sendai?
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 Sendai. 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 Sendai?
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.
Sendai
Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $63Sendai $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $105. 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 Sendai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Sendai $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Sendai $118
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Sendai
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Sendai? 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: Sendai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $14Sendai $18
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 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sendai Airport to/from Sendai City private transfer: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Sendai?
Prices for flights to both Sendai 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 $20Sendai $33
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 $23Sendai $18
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 Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Japanese Taiko Drum Experience at Sairi Yashiki : $71
- Sendai, Okama: Private tour from Sendai city to Okama: $251
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Sendai $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Sendai, we can see that Sendai 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Sendai?
Sendai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Sendai, 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 Sendai?
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 Sendai in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Sendai. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Sendai in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Sendai. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Sendai 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Sendai in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Sendai. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sendai because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Sendai averages at about 15°C (59°F).
It's quite rainy in Sendai. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in October than Sendai. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Sendai 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Sendai in the Winter?
Both Sendai and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.
It's quite cold in Sendai in the winter. In January, Zhangjiajie is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Sendai 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Sendai in the Spring?
Both Sendai and Zhangjiajie during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Zhangjiajie is much warmer than Sendai in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Sendai. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Sendai 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)Sendai 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sendai and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Sendai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.