A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zhangjiajie vs. Wollongong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Wollongong?

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 Wollongong. 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 Wollongong?

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.

Wollongong

Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes people of Serbian, Croatian, Italian, and Turkish descent among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the city's restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zhangjiajie is in Asia and Wollongong is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Wollongong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wollongong 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 Wollongong Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Wollongong?

Wollongong has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Wollongong, 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 Wollongong?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wollongong is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Zhangjiajie has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Wollongong in the Summer?

Both Wollongong and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Wollongong for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Wollongong. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zhangjiajie in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Wollongong averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Wollongongin January. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Wollongong in the Autumn?

Both Wollongong and Zhangjiajie during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Wollongong in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Zhangjiajie is generally around the same temperature as Wollongongin April. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 19°C (65°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in October than Wollongongin April. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Wollongong in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Wollongong. Also, most visitors come to Wollongong for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Zhangjiajie is much colder than Wollongong in the winter. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in July.

In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives around the same amount of rain as Wollongongin July. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Wollongong in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Wollongong. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Zhangjiajie is around the same temperature as Wollongong. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zhangjiajie in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Wollongong averages at about 17°C (63°F)in October.

Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Wollongongin October. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Zhangjiajie