A Travel Price Comparison for China Zhangjiajie vs. Shenyang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Shenyang?

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 Shenyang. 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 Shenyang?

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.

Shenyang

Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!

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 China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Shenyang or Zhangjiajie?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, while the average daily cost in Shenyang is $70. 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 Shenyang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zhangjiajie $30
    Shenyang $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zhangjiajie $60
    Shenyang $82
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Shenyang

Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Shenyang? 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.

Hotels in Zhangjiajie


Hotels in Shenyang


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zhangjiajie $14
    Shenyang $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie

Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Shenyang?

Prices for flights to both Shenyang 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zhangjiajie $20
    Shenyang $18

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zhangjiajie $23
    Shenyang $7.70

Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.

  • Zhangjiajie National Forest Park(Avatar) & Yellow Dragon Cave Private Day Tour: $189
  • (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
  • 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
  • 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Glass Skywalk Tour: $154
  • 1-Day Zhangjiajie Avatar World Nature Hiking Private Tour: $179
  • 1-Day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon(Glass Bridge) & Baofeng Lake Tour: $240
  • 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
  • 1-day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tour: $132
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zhangjiajie $16
    Shenyang $5.83


When comparing the travel costs between Zhangjiajie and Shenyang, we can see that Shenyang 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 Shenyang Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Shenyang?

Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Shenyang, 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 Shenyang?

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 Shenyang in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Shenyang.

Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Shenyang in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Shenyang fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Shenyang 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 Shenyang. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F) 
    Shenyang 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Shenyang in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Shenyang.

In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is much warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Shenyang averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in October than Shenyang. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F) 
    Shenyang 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Shenyang in the Winter?

Both Shenyang and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Shenyang can be very cold during winter. In January, Zhangjiajie is generally much warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).

In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F) 
    Shenyang -11°C (13°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Shenyang in the Spring?

Both Shenyang and Zhangjiajie during the spring are popular places to visit.

Zhangjiajie is much warmer than Shenyang in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Shenyang. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F) 
    Shenyang 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Shenyang and Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Shenyang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (42°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) -11°C (13°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) -7°C (19°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 1°C (34°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 179 mm (7 in) 17°C (63°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 199 mm (7.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 90 mm (3.6 in) 10°C (51°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.7 in) 1°C (34°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) -7°C (19°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)